Anthurium BVEP/antolakii RA3

Anthurium BVEP RA3, also known as Anthurium antolakii, was originally collected from Panama by Rory Antolek. I acquired this particular plant directly from him in 2023, at the same time as BVEP RA9.

RA3 is an interesting antolakii because its leaf shape is quite different from many of the other numbered BVEPs. The leaves are significantly more elongated and have a much less pronounced bullate or pillowy texture compared to antolakii RA1 and RA9. Despite the differences in shape and texture, the leaves still harden off to an almost black coloration.

I’ve found it to be a good grower and it produces plenty of pollen, making it useful as a pollen parent. However, much like BVEP RA9, I have never successfully managed to get this plant to hold seed when used as the seed parent. Even with its limitations in breeding, RA3 remains one of my favorite BVEP selections from Rory, along with RA1 and RA9.