How to Grow Anthurium for the Best Ornamental Appeal? A Detailed Guide to Care Techniques

The flowers and leaves of the anthurium bonsai are both very attractive, the flowering period is relatively long, and the flowers are different from those of other plants, with a very unusual shape. The anthurium flower has a unique form, with a leaf-shaped bract wrapping around a wick-like spadix, and the bract is brightly colored and glossy. So how should anthurium be grown to have strong ornamental appeal?

I. Daily Care

The anthurium bonsai is best placed in a ventilated spot with suitable temperature and humidity. It is best kept indoors, because the temperature anthurium can survive in must not be too low or too high; indoor temperatures are more suitable, heating can be used in winter, and in summer the indoor temperature is also lower than outdoors. In addition, anthurium needs light to grow, so it is best placed indoors with plenty of indirect light. If it is placed by a windowsill, remember to turn the anthurium bonsai often so that it grows evenly and the crown is full, rather than one side growing densely and the other side growing sparsely, which affects its appearance. But note that in summer it must not be exposed directly to strong light.

II. Watering

Anthurium should be watered more in summer and less in other seasons; generally, water only when the potting soil looks dry. It is best to use collected natural rainwater for watering. If tap water is used, it needs to be left to stand for a while first to remove the bleach in it. When watering, be careful not to splash water onto the flowers, otherwise the flowers will wither and fall off. Normal growth of anthurium has high water requirements and needs high air humidity. Besides watering to keep the potting soil moist, it is also necessary to spray water frequently around the anthurium bonsai to maintain air humidity. Especially in summer, at least 2 sprays of water are needed each day. In addition, in summer, water can also be sprayed on the leaves to ensure the moisture anthurium needs, but be careful not to spray water on the flowers.

III. Fertilizing

In order to make the flowers and leaves grow more luxuriantly, the anthurium bonsai needs to be fertilized regularly during the growing period. It is best to use fertilizer specially made for anthurium; a compound fertilizer is also acceptable. The main thing is to pay attention to supplementing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Generally speaking, during the growing period, fertilize once every half month, diluting the fertilizer with water before pouring it onto the soil. At other times, fertilizing is generally not needed.

IV. Pruning

As anthurium grows, the leaf stalks will gradually degenerate; once they dry out, remove them promptly, and after the flower stalks turn yellow they should also be cut off, generally cutting from the base, but be careful to leave a short protective stub. In addition, so that the anthurium does not grow too messy, during the growing period its newly sprouted branches and leaves need to be thinned out.

If anthurium is not cared for properly, its leaves will turn yellow, so it must be looked after patiently. It is best to repot once a year to keep the anthurium growing healthily.