What causes yellowing, scorched edges and drying of anthurium leaves

  Anthurium, also known as flamingo flower, anthurium and tailflower, is a perennial evergreen herb native to the tropical rainforest regions of South America. Friends who like growing anthuriums for cut flowers will more or less run into all kinds of situations such as yellowing leaves, scorched edges, drying and rotting leaves, and this really does add a bit of worry for flower lovers. How can such problems be solved? Below, let us analyse the specific causes and the prevention methods.

  What is going on when anthurium leaves turn yellow, with scorched edges and drying?

  1. In the first case, if both old leaves and new leaves turn yellow at the same time, the main cause is a long-term lack of light. Solution: appropriately increase light.

  2. In the second case, old leaves turn yellow; the main cause is long-term lack of water or watering that does not soak through, which produces this situation. Solution: water thoroughly every time.

  3. In the third case, if new leaves turn yellow while the old leaves remain normal, that indicates the amount of watering is too great, or there is a lack of fertiliser. Solution: control watering, or apply top dressing.

  Specific prevention methods:

  First, cut off the yellowed leaves and place the plant in a cool, shady spot. Wait until the water is almost dry, then water again, and do not rush to fertilise. There may be two situations: one is that the air humidity is too low, that is, too dry; the other is a lack of trace mineral elements.

  In fact, it is about controlling temperature and humidity well, letting it get some sun in the morning and evening, and fertilising appropriately.

  When anthurium shows symptoms of yellowing, drying and rotting leaves, it may also be caused by bacteria. To eliminate the bacteria, you can spray a 0.3% solution of garlic juice, a 0.2% solution of vinegar, or fungicides such as carbendazim or chlorothalonil at 800-1000 times dilution for prevention and control.

  For indoor care, anthurium should be managed in a semi-shady, moist and warm environment. The best temperature is between 20-25°C, and it must not exceed 33°C, otherwise adverse symptoms easily appear. Air humidity must be between 75-90%; below 50%, the leaves easily develop scorched edges and drying.

  When anthurium leaves turn yellow, with scorched edges and drying, first cut off the yellowed leaves and place the plant in a cool, shady spot. Wait until the water is almost dry, then water again, and do not rush to fertilise. There may be two situations: one is that the air humidity is too low, that is, too dry; the other is a lack of trace mineral elements. Control temperature and humidity well, let it get some sun in the morning and evening, and fertilise appropriately.

  When anthurium shows symptoms of yellowing, drying and rotting leaves, it is caused by bacteria. To eliminate the bacteria, you can spray a 0.3% solution of garlic juice, a 0.2% solution of vinegar, or fungicides such as carbendazim or chlorothalonil at 800-1000 times dilution for prevention and control. But this cannot solve the fundamental problem, because the appearance of such symptoms in anthurium is due to an unsuitable care environment. Anthurium should be managed in a semi-shady, moist and warm environment. The best temperature is between 20-25°C, and it must not exceed 33°C, otherwise adverse symptoms easily appear. Air humidity must be between 75-90%; below 50%, the leaves easily develop scorched edges and drying.

  Anthurium leaves easily turn yellow, so extra care is needed in cultivation. To care for it well, you must understand the causes of leaf yellowing and the rescue methods. This article has compiled some information on anthurium leaf yellowing and rescue methods, shared here with pot-plant lovers who enjoy growing them, in the hope that it can help everyone.

  Analysis of the causes of anthurium leaf yellowing and treatment methods:

  1. Excessive watering causes anthurium leaves to turn yellow (water yellowing): when the new leaves of anthurium turn yellow while the old leaves remain normal, this situation is generally due to watering too much and too often, which keeps 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 gradually causing the leaves to turn yellow and drop.

  Solution: we should water according to the weather conditions and the habits of the anthurium.

  2. Unsuitable soil causes anthurium leaves to turn yellow (scorch yellowing): in most areas of the north, the medium and water contain relatively more salt and alkali. Because the medium lacks the soluble iron that the plant needs to absorb, the leaves gradually lose their green colour and turn yellow.

  Solution: treat the medium and the water used for watering with oxalic acid and similar substances.

  3. Dry air causes anthurium leaves to turn yellow: when the air indoors in winter is excessively dry, leaf tips often dry up and turn yellow, or leaf margins become scorched, or scorched spots and curled edges appear on the leaves.

  Solution: according to the growth characteristics of the anthurium, appropriately increase air humidity.

  4. Insufficient sunlight causes anthurium leaves to turn yellow (light-deficiency yellowing): if the anthurium is placed in a shaded spot or a place with insufficient light for a long time, its growth will weaken, the leaves will be thin and yellow, and it will not flower or will flower very little.

  Solution: according to the growth characteristics of the anthurium, appropriately increase light intensity.

  5. Too low a temperature causes anthurium leaves to turn yellow: if the indoor temperature in winter is too low, the leaves will turn yellow; if the room temperature is too high, the plant transpires excessively and the roots cannot supply enough water and nutrients, which will also make the leaves turn yellow.

  Solution: keep the temperature in the greenhouse relatively stable.

  6. Lack of fertiliser causes anthurium leaves to turn yellow (fertiliser yellowing): too little fertiliser, or not repotting or changing the soil for a long time, means the soil lacks nutrients such as nitrogen, resulting in weak branches and leaves, with thin and yellow leaves. In addition, excessive fertiliser will also produce thick, bumpy new leaves, while the tips of the old leaves dry out and drop off after turning scorched yellow.

  Solution: immediately stop fertilising, increase watering, and remove part of the old soil, replacing it with new potting soil, then carry out normal management.

  7. Pests and diseases cause anthurium leaves to turn yellow: such as yellow spot disease and leaf blight.

  Solution: you can spray the whole plant with carbendazim wettable powder at 800 times dilution. Among insect pests there are red spider mites and scale insects, which can be controlled with specific insecticides, or wiped off with a cloth and rinsed clean with water.