How to grow Anthurium andraeanum in water? A detailed guide to water culture methods for Anthurium andraeanum
How do you grow Anthurium andraeanum in water? Everyone has seen plenty of the flamboyant, fiery Anthurium andraeanum and the pure white, elegant Spathiphyllum wallisii, but the soft, warm pink Anthurium andraeanum is probably something far fewer people have come across. These days, however, pink Anthurium andraeanum is appearing more and more on the market, and many people have chosen it to decorate and beautify their homes. But what are the growing methods and precautions for pink Anthurium andraeanum, is it toxic, and can it be kept indoors? With these questions in mind, let us take a look:
Water culture methods and precautions for hydroponic Anthurium andraeanum
1. Dig the potted Anthurium andraeanum out of the soil, cut off rotten roots, fibrous roots and old leaves, rinse clean with clear water, place in potassium permanganate solution to disinfect, then rinse the Anthurium andraeanum again with clear water. If you use a transparent glass container for water culture, it is best to cover the outside of the glass with a black plastic bag to block strong light. Cover the top with a transparent convenient bag (to keep warm and retain moisture). Place in a spot with scattered light, and keep the temperature above 10 degrees.
2. During the acclimatization period of hydroponic Anthurium andraeanum, change the water frequently: for the first half month, once every 3 days; for the second half month, once a week. Each time you change the water, add nutrient solution once, and the nutrient solution should be one specially made for hydroponic flowers. After one month, the Anthurium andraeanum will grow new roots, and the newly grown roots will be relatively adapted to the aquatic environment. The leaves will begin to sprout new shoots.
3. Potting up hydroponic Anthurium andraeanum. If you use a semi-transparent pot for hydroponic Anthurium andraeanum, it will be a bit easier. Carefully slip the Anthurium andraeanum roots into the hydroponic basket; river stones or expanded clay pebbles can be put in the basket to fix the plant's position. Add water to half or 2/3 full, so that the roots not submerged in water can still breathe from the air.
4. For acclimatized hydroponic Anthurium andraeanum, you can change the water according to actual conditions; when there are more impurities in the water, it is time to change it. After a period of time, also wash the hydroponic pot. Nutrient solution must not be added too frequently, because it will cause eutrophication of the water, microorganisms in the water will multiply faster, and the oxygen content of the water will drop sharply, which is not good for plant growth.
5. If you use a larger pot for hydroponic Anthurium andraeanum, you can also keep small fish in the water; the plant and the fish benefit each other and form a matching scene. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone.
Is Anthurium andraeanum toxic?
Although the Anthurium andraeanum flower is slightly toxic, it will not be a problem as long as it is not eaten by mistake. Wash your hands each time you prune the branches and leaves. Its toxicity mainly comes from the sap, so with a bit more care there is no problem. As long as you do not come into too close contact with it, there is no issue.
Introduction to indoor care of Anthurium andraeanum: Anthurium andraeanum is quite sensitive to temperature. The suitable growth temperature is 14-35°C, the optimum temperature is 19-25°C, and the day-night temperature difference is 3-6°C, that is, preferably 21-25°C during the day and around 19°C at night. At such temperatures, the absorption and accumulation of nutrients by Anthurium andraeanum is favored, which is extremely beneficial for growth and flowering.
Anthurium andraeanum is a flower variety relatively sensitive to salt, so the pH value of the substrate should be controlled between 5.2-6.1 as much as possible, which is most suitable for Anthurium andraeanum growth. If the pH value is too low, the flower stems become shorter, which reduces its ornamental value. Tap water is suitable for planting Anthurium andraeanum, but it is expensive; natural rainwater is the best water source for Anthurium andraeanum cultivation. Potted Anthurium andraeanum has different water requirements at different growth and development stages.
According to the author's cultivation experience, root fertilization of Anthurium andraeanum is much more effective than foliar top dressing. This is because the leaf surface of Anthurium andraeanum has a waxy layer and cannot absorb fertilizer very well. Liquid fertilizer application should follow the principle of regular and quantitative application. In autumn, a cycle is generally 3-4 days; if the temperature is high, depending on how dry or wet the substrate in the pot is, you can water with fertilizer solution once every 2-3 days; in summer, you can water with fertilizer solution once every 2 days, and when the temperature is high, you can water once more; in autumn, generally water with fertilizer solution once every 5-7 days.
The growth of Anthurium andraeanum requires relatively high temperature and quite high humidity, so high temperature and high humidity are beneficial to its growth. Temperature and humidity are closely related: when the air temperature is below 20°C, keeping the indoor natural environment is enough; when the air temperature reaches above 28°C, a sprinkler system or atomization system must be used to increase the indoor relative air humidity, so as to create a high-temperature, high-humidity growing environment for Anthurium andraeanum. However, even if the greenhouse temperature is relatively high in winter, it is not advisable to cool and humidify too much, because overly wet leaves at night actually reduce the plant's cold resistance, making it prone to frost damage and unfavorable for safe overwintering.
Precautions for growing hydroponic Anthurium andraeanum:
1. Anthurium andraeanum just grown hydroponically with expanded clay pebbles is not suited to direct sunlight; just place it in a shady room.
2. At the beginning of hydroponics, do not add nutrient liquid; adding rooting powder is best.
3. The container for growing Anthurium andraeanum should be slightly larger, preferably wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, V-shaped, and it should also have a certain height.
4. How long can hydroponic Anthurium andraeanum live? Those grown hydroponically with expanded clay pebbles can live a very long time. I have grown mine for 2 years and it still produces leaves and flowers every year; I estimate it can last even longer.
5. If you want to grow Anthurium andraeanum hydroponically, it is recommended to first induce it with expanded clay pebbles and then switch to pure water culture. Directly putting it into water is not recommended.
2. At the beginning of hydroponics, do not add nutrient liquid; adding rooting powder is best.
3. The container for growing Anthurium andraeanum should be slightly larger, preferably wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, V-shaped, and it should also have a certain height.
4. How long can hydroponic Anthurium andraeanum live? Those grown hydroponically with expanded clay pebbles can live a very long time. I have grown mine for 2 years and it still produces leaves and flowers every year; I estimate it can last even longer.
5. If you want to grow Anthurium andraeanum hydroponically, it is recommended to first induce it with expanded clay pebbles and then switch to pure water culture. Directly putting it into water is not recommended.