How to grow potted anthurium well? These care tips you need to master
Anthurium, also known as red goose-foot, red anthurium, and Anthurium andraeanum, is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Anthurium in the Araceae family. Its spadix is yellow, and it can bloom continuously throughout the year. Its leaf shape is beautiful, its flowers are unique, and its flowering period is long. It is very suitable for potted cultivation, cut flowers, or mass planting for beautification in shaded garden areas. Now let us take a look at how to grow potted anthurium well!
Growth habits of anthurium
Anthurium is native to tropical rainforest areas such as Costa Rica and Colombia. It often grows epiphytically on trees, sometimes on rocks, or directly on the ground. It likes warm, hot, humid, and well-drained semi-shaded environments, and fears drought and strong direct sunlight. The suitable daytime temperature for growth is 26-32°C, and the nighttime temperature is 21-32°C. The highest temperature it can tolerate is 35°C, and the lowest temperature it can tolerate is 14°C.
Propagation methods of anthurium
1. Division: The main division period for anthurium is in the cool, highly humid spring. It can also be divided in cool autumn weather. Never divide it in the hot summer or in dry, cold seasons. Also, care must be taken not to damage the mother plant.
2. Cuttings: Upright anthurium varieties with stems can be propagated by cuttings. Cut off sections with 1-2 stem nodes and 3-4 leaves as cuttings, insert them into sphagnum moss, and plant them in pots after new roots sprout.
3. Sowing: The sowing method for propagating anthurium is generally used only in breeding. The seeds are relatively large. Sow in indoor pots. The suitable germination temperature is 25-28°C. They germinate 20-25 days after sowing and need 3-4 years of cultivation before flowering.
How to grow potted anthurium?
1. Soil: The best culture soil for anthurium is loam rich in humus, loose, and well-drained. It is best to use 2 parts leaf mold or peat soil and 1 part perlite or coarse sand to make the culture soil, or use 2 parts leaf mold, 1 part charcoal, plus a small amount of superphosphate or bone meal.
2. Watering: Anthurium likes warmth and moisture. It needs to be misted on the leaf surface every day to maintain humidity. Poor drainage or overly wet potting soil can easily cause root rot. During the vigorous growth period, pay attention to maintaining sufficient moisture in the potting soil. Watering should alternate between dry and wet. After one watering, wait until the surface of the potting soil looks dry before watering again.
3. Light: Anthurium likes semi-shade and fears strong light. In summer, it is best to place it indoors near a north-facing window for care. In spring and autumn, place it near a south-facing window. In winter, place it on a south-facing windowsill. If it can be moved outdoors to a shaded place for a period of cultivation after flowering, it will grow even better.
4. Temperature: The suitable temperature for anthurium growth is 20-25°C. The highest temperature it can endure is 32°C. Above 32°C, growth begins to slow down. The lowest temperature it can endure is 15°C. Below 15°C, cold damage can occur, and the leaves will turn black or yellow.
5. Fertilizing: The growth period of anthurium is from April to October. Fertilize once every half month. From May to September is the vigorous growth period, apply a topdressing once a week. After buds appear and before flowering, fertilizer must not be lacking. Topdressing should mainly be decomposed organic liquid fertilizer, combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers or compound fertilizer.
6. Pruning: During the growth of anthurium, the base petioles gradually degenerate. When the stipules become dry, they should be cut off promptly. After flowering, when the flower stalk turns yellow, it must also be cut off as soon as possible from the base, leaving a 2 cm protective stub.
7. Pests and diseases: Common problems affecting anthurium include anthracnose, leaf spot, and inflorescence rot. Spray with Bordeaux mixture or 65% zineb wettable powder at 500 times dilution. Pests include scale insects and red spider mites, which can be killed by spraying with 50% malathion emulsifiable concentrate at 1500 times dilution.
Precautions for anthurium
1. Watering: Watering anthurium too much or too frequently will keep the potting medium overly wet for a long time, or even waterlogged, causing some fibrous roots to rot, hindering normal respiration and nutrient absorption, and causing leaves to gradually turn yellow and fall off.
2. Fertilizing: If anthurium is fertilized too little or has not been repotted or given new soil for a long time, the lack of nitrogen and other nutrients in the soil will lead to weak branches and leaves, with thin and yellow leaves. In addition, excessive fertilization can also cause new leaves to be thick and uneven, while old leaves dry at the tips, turn scorched yellow, and fall off.
3. Temperature: If the indoor temperature is too low in winter, the leaves of anthurium will turn yellow. If the room temperature is too high, the plant will transpire excessively, and the roots will not supply enough water and nutrients, which can also make the leaves turn yellow.
4. Air: When the indoor air is overly dry in winter, anthurium often develops dry, yellow leaf tips, scorched leaf margins, or scorched spots and curled edges on the leaves.
5. Light: If anthurium is kept for a long time in a shaded place or a place with insufficient light, its growth will weaken, the leaves will be thin and yellow, and it will not flower or will flower very little.
6. Soil: Anthurium likes acidic soil. In most areas of the north, the medium and water contain more salt and alkali. Because the medium lacks the soluble iron that the plant needs to absorb, the leaves will gradually lose green color and turn yellow.