O anthurium It is a perennial species native to the rainforests of Central and South America. They are such diverse and unique plants that anyone can find a species that suits their preferences!
This is one of the reasons why many people like to grow these plants at home. However, it can be quite tricky to care for anthuriums.
That’s why, in today’s guide, we’ll talk about the most popular types of anthuriums that you can find.
characteristics of anthurium anthurium It is the largest genus in the family Araceae, with about a thousand species. It grows as an epiphyte or semi-epiphyte, in rock crevices or in shallow, limestone soil. This genus includes land plants as well.
All anthurium species are poisonous. Most poisoning symptoms go away after a while, but it is still recommended to keep them out of reach of children and pets.
The name Anthurium comes from the Greek words anthos meaning flower and oura meaning tail. These plants are best known also the flamingo flower due to the fiery color of their heart-shaped wax flowers. The large leathery leaves are usually heart-shaped, oval or elongated. Anthurium is an attractive species for all collectors of rare plants.
Anthurium Symbolism
It is believed that anthurium symbolizes family love and happiness. According to Feng Shui, the plant is one of the essential factors in creating a perfect balance at home! Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese science that deals with harmonizing the living space.
These species have a great effect on people, and their presence can calm a person and cleanse him of negative thoughts. Therefore, this tropical beauty has the power to harmonize your home and close relationships.
Anthurium itself is a reflection of your mental state, so it’s believed that if it withers, it’s time for some self-improvement!
Let’s take a look at some of the most common anthurium varieties:
1. Anthurium Andraeanum
2. Anthurium Scherzerianum
3. Anthurium Amnicola (Tulips Anthuriums)
4. Anthurium Superbum
5. Anthurium Hookeri
6. Anthurium Radicans
7. Anthurium Pedatoradiatum
8. Anthurium Coriaceum
9. Anthurium Clarinervium
10. Anthurium Crystallinum
11. Anthurium Faustomirandae
12. Anthurium Gracile
13. Anthurium Bonplandii
14. Anthurium Salgarense
15. Anthurium Schlechtendalii
16. Anthurium Bullatus
17. Anthurium Magnificum
18. Anthurium Jenmanii
19. Anthurium Clavigerum
20. Anthurium Pendulifolium
21. Anthurium Luxurians
22. Anthurium Vittarifolium
23. Anthurium Crystallinum ‘Doroyaki’
24. Anthurium Splendidum
25. Anthurium Corrugatum
26. Anthurium Rotundistigmatum
27. Anthurium Forgetii
28. Anthurium Friedrichsthalii
29. Anthurium Villenoarum
30. Anthurium Podophyllum
31. Anthurium Metallicum
32. Anthurium Rugulosum
33. Anthurium Wendlingeri
34. Anthurium Regale
35. Anthurium Marmoratum
36. Anthurium Balaoanum
37. Anthurium “Ace of Spades”
38. Anthurium Warocqueanum (Queen)
39. Anthurium Veitchii (King)
40. Anthurium Papillaminum
41. Anthurium Ovatifolium
42. Anthurium Cutucuense
Anthurium care
Ground
anthurium likes a well-draining, light and loose substrate. It is desirable to place a layer of drainage such as pebbles or gravel at the bottom of the pot. It is suitable to use a mixture of equal parts of perlite, peat moss and charcoal pieces.
Fertilizer
Anthurium is sensitive to fertilizers that contain carbonates, so they should be avoided. If you want to have a plant with lush flowers and leaves, feed it regularly during the vegetation period, from October to March, twice a month.
Use organic fertilizer for flowering plants. With care, anthuriums can grow and flourish for many years.
Sun light
Indirect light or partial shade is ideal. Never expose it to direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves.
To adjust the amount of light your plant receives, you can place sheer curtains on the window and dose the amount of light based on weather conditions.
Water
Anthurium needs regular watering, preferably in the early hours of the morning. The soil must be watered abundantly and allowed to dry out until the next watering. It is recommended to water with stagnant or boiled water when the soil is completely dry.
In winter, it should be watered once every 10 to 12 days, and in summer once every three days. Once a week, the entire plant can be washed with a damp cloth or a gentle shower. The appearance of yellow and dry leaves occurs due to excess or lack of water.
Humidity and Temperature
The ideal temperature for growing anthurium ranges from 15°C to 30°C. The temperature of the room in which it is located must be stable, without large fluctuations, as a sudden drop in temperature causes the plant to decay.
During winter, the temperature should not drop below 14°C. When noticing the wilting of leaves on anthuriums, it is necessary to move the plant, as it is certainly in a very cold place.
Given the origin of our anthurium, we must provide it with adequate living conditions. This includes humidity above 50%.
Leaves should be sprayed occasionally with boiled or stagnant water. During the period of stagnation, the leaves should not be wetted.
In summer, when the heat is great, it can be sprayed several times during the day, and in winter, once a day, when the air in the room is dry.
replanting
Young plants should be transplanted once a year, in October or November, before vegetation begins. Older plants are repotted once every three years, into a slightly larger pot.
The pot must be made of plastic or clay. It shouldn’t be too big or deep, as the roots prefer to stay compact. It is desirable to prepare a fresh substrate with a drainage layer and clean the roots from the old soil.
pruning
This species requires occasional pruning because it keeps them healthy and eliminates infected or damaged leaves. Pruning depends on the overall condition of your plant more than the season.
Examine the plant to see if any parts look unhealthy, such as brown, brittle leaves that are candidates for removal.
Cut off any wilted or dead leaves at the base of the stem. In case your plant looks a little bushy, you can remove the old leaves so that the plant has enough energy and the young leaves also get enough nutrients.
Propagation
Anthuriums are propagated by seed in the spring or by dividing young plants that grow at the base of a large plant. It’s best to do it in May or June with the right conditions.
Anthurium seeds are sown in the same soil in which the adult plant was grown. Until the seedlings sprout, the pots are kept in partial shade, and when they sprout, they are transferred to the open air. Take young plants out of the ground with roots and plant them in a special pot.
Transplanting by division is done after the flowering phase. When dividing the sides of an older plant, make sure each part has a root system and leaves.
Divided plants are planted in shallower, wider pots with a drainage layer at the bottom and placed in a warm room where the temperature is above 20°C. Young plants should be watered regularly, preferably before noon, and fed so that they bloom the same year.
Pests
Anthurium can be attacked by several types of pests, such as aphids, spider mites and thrips. Pests are often dangerous and can cause permanent damage. Although anthuriums are a very resistant species, they can be attacked by lice.
When noticing deposits of white wool on the leaves and stems of the leaves, the plant is attacked by lice, which you can control with insecticides or mechanically with cotton soaked in methyl alcohol. Gently clean the leaves and repeat the process if necessary.
Illnesses
Root rot and leaf mycosis most often occur due to the attack of phytopathogenic organisms, more precisely fungi. If you notice brown spots on the leaves, spray the plant with systematic fungicides.
Root rot is caused by a fungus, and the first visible changes in infected plants are stunted growth, leaf discoloration, and leaf wilting. The root is black.
This disease is more common in the fall and winter due to cooler temperatures and too much moisture on the leaves.
Leaf spot disease occurs under conditions of increased relative humidity and excessive soil moisture. Large irregularly shaped brown spots, neatly bordered by a yellowish border, appear on the leaves of the anthurium. Protect the plant using appropriate insecticides or fungicides.
*Via smart garden It is Farm Food Family