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Anthurium
The tropical perennial Anthurium originates from Mexico and features a breathtaking blend of glistening, dark green shrubbery and big, heart-shaped flowers. The modified leafs (spathe) or the blooms are in typical green, cream, red, and pink colors and can last for as long as eight weeks. Best part about this gorgeous foliage plant is that it continues to blossom almost continually in extremely good conditions. Lately, the Anthurium is especially getting popular among plant lovers who prefer this plant for various cut-flower arrangements and for interiors.
Planting: Anthurium plants can be propagated by divisions from tissue cultured plants or from larger or older specimens. They can be cultivated in pots or even on thick fern trunks. Anthuriums require coarse soli mixtures such as well-aerated soil mediums that have a good capacity of retaining water. Along with these, a good drainage system is also necessary because a large amount of water can rot the plant roots and cause immediate yellowness in leaves. The medium of Anthurium planting can be:
- Compost, soil best, and coconut fiber in summer
- Mixture of pine bark, perlite, peat moss in a 1:1:1 ratio
- Brick bits, charcoal, and grain sand (gravel)
Humidity and warmth are the best conditions for proper growth of the plant.
Care: It is advisable to remove the faded flowers (if any) and the rotted or dead foliage from the bottom. A liquid, diluted fertilizer is to be fed once in two weeks. The use of tap water (chlorinated water) and insecticides should be avoided because these can prove to be harmful for the plant growth. Rain water use and annual repotting is very beneficial.
Pressed neem seeds can be used to make a solution to use as fertilizers and pesticides. The solution is made by soaking a handful of these seeds until the time you get an extremely foul smell of the liquid. This is then, diluted and strained more before spraying. This natural solution of pesticides is beneficial for all types of Anthuriums. For flowers, a spray of dilute coconut water is the best.
It is relatively easier to grow Anthuriums. As indoor foliage plants, they can survive and remain durable for an impressively long period of time, even in adverse conditions. Anthuriums can be of various colors including green, peach, pink, purple, orange, and red. In fact, some Anthurium varieties are a blend of two or more colors where the colors seem to be speckled together as if someone had thrown several paint colors at them! Some varieties are flat, some are cupped, some stand upright, some have heart-shaped leaves, and some boast of a tear-drop shape. Being durable plants, Anthurium flowers are sure to adore and beautify your entire garden for months to come, once blossomed.
Watering: Although Anthuriums are capable of handling dryness around their root ball, it is essential to water them thoroughly and regularly and allow them to dry up slightly before the next watering session. Allowing it to dry off completely can prove to be a hindrance in its growth process. Drying out the plant can also result in root damage and tip burns while at the same time, excess watering can cause immediate damage of leaves.
Pest Control: Just like other plants, Anthuriums are also susceptible to all the typical plant infesting pests. The best and the most recommended way of ensuring insect control is to monitor and treat your plants before it becomes difficult to handle their disease. One simple way to have them stay clear of chemicals is wiping their foliage periodically along with a gentle drench of water. Make sure you do not forget to wipe their undersides.
About Author: This article is donated by Kichu Kevin Mail ID: kichuu9@gmail.com, Mobile : 9930074729-SINGAPORE