Anthurium 'Delta Force'

Origin of Anthurium 'Delta Force'

Steve and Marie Nock produced Anthurium ‘Delta Force’ at Ree Gardens in Miami during the 1990s by crossing Anthurium clarinervium with Anthurium pedatoradiatum. They retained one seedling with an unusually triangular mature leaf. The selected form is maintained clonally because later seedlings from the same parent combination can differ.

Growing Anthurium ‘Delta Force’

Keep temperatures around 18–28 °C. Avoid prolonged temperatures below 15 °C. Keep humidity in the 60–80% range while allowing light air movement around the foliage. Give the plant bright filtered light, warm stable temperatures and moderate to high humidity with gentle airflow. Keep the opening tip clear of nearby foliage and hard surfaces until the new leaf firms.

Water after the upper layer begins to dry, soak the whole root ball and let it drain completely. Use bark or coco with pumice or perlite, renew the mix when it compacts and keep any rising stem at its existing level during repotting. Use a light balanced feed while active growth is underway.

Keep the plant stable in its pot and support older stems only if they begin to lean.

A rooted offset or a stem section with at least one node preserves the selected form. Seedlings from the same cross can develop a different leaf shape.

Problems and recovery in Anthurium ‘Delta Force’

• A young plant has rounded leaves: This is expected. The broad shoulders and long point become clearer on later foliage. Assess the mature form from later leaves; no intervention is needed at this stage.
• A new leaf opens twisted or creased: Remove any obstruction and keep moisture steadier for the next leaf. If silver scars or black specks are present, isolate the plant and inspect the folded growth. When thrips are confirmed, apply an indoor-plant treatment labelled for them to the folded growth and both leaf surfaces, then follow the full repeat course stated on the label.
• A dry tan patch appears on the window-facing side: Sun or heat through glass has probably scorched the tissue. Increase the distance from the window or filter the light; the existing patch is permanent.
• Leaves yellow and the mix remains wet: Pause watering and confirm that the pot drains freely. If the mix smells unpleasant or tissue near the base begins to soften, remove the plant from the pot and inspect the roots. Firm roots should stay in place; remove only roots that are soft, hollow, slippery or foul-smelling. Pot the sound roots into a fresh mix that restores air around them. Use the root rot guide if the damage is extensive.

Anthurium ‘Delta Force’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

How did Anthurium get its name?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Anthurium in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 828.