Home Care Methods and Key Technical Points for Anthurium

    Avoid direct sunlight while still providing plenty of light. In summer, potted plants should be kept near a north-facing window; in other seasons, place them on a sunny windowsill or similar spot. For outdoor or greenhouse cultivation, in summer allow sunlight in the early morning and late afternoon, and shade about 50% of the sunlight around midday; in other seasons, no shading is needed. 
    
    During the vigorous growth period from May to September, fertilize once every half month. For topdressing, mainly use decomposed organic liquid fertilizer, together with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer or compound fertilizer. When the flower stems emerge, the plant can be supported with sticks.
    
    The growth period is from April to October. Apply topdressing once a week; after flower buds form and before flowering, fertilizer must not be lacking. During the dormant period, watering should be controlled. Flowering varieties prefer a semi-shaded environment and need sunlight in the morning and evening, otherwise they are difficult to flower; foliage varieties should avoid direct sunlight.
    
    When potting, the growing medium is best as loam rich in humus, loose and well-drained. It is advisable to use 2 parts leaf mold soil or peat soil and 1 part perlite or coarse sand as the growing medium, or use leaf mold soil (or peat soil 1 part, garden soil 1 part, moss) and charcoal 1 part plus a small amount of superphosphate or bone meal as the growing medium. It should be placed on moist gravel to increase humidity. The potting soil should have good drainage, and strong light should be avoided; in summer place it on a north windowsill, and in other seasons place it on a south windowsill. When roots grow out, cover them with moss. When potting or repotting, first fill the lower 1/4 to 1/3 depth of the pot with granular crushed brick and other materials as a drainage layer. Repot about once every 2 to 3 years, generally in early spring together with division propagation; when repotting, remove the old soil and replace it with new growing medium.
    
    Pests and diseases 
　　
    Common problems include anthracnose, leaf spot and inflorescence rot, which can be controlled by spraying Bordeaux mixture or 65% zineb wettable powder at 500 times dilution. Pests include scale insects and red spiders, which can be killed by spraying 50% malathion emulsifiable concentrate at 1500 times dilution.