Anthurium: care and propagation of the flamingo flower

Anthurium: care and propagation of the flamingo flower
Anthurium: care and propagation of the flamingo flower
Anonim

Anthurium, also known as anthurium, flamingo flower or candytuft, are wonderfully easy-care and grateful houseplants that thank you for a little water and fertilizer with blooms almost all year round. Especially during the dark winter months, the large, red, white, pink or orange bracts - which are often mistaken for the actual flowers - provide a welcome splash of color.

anthurium
anthurium

How do I properly care for Anthurium, the flamingo flower?

Anthurium, also called flamingo flower, is a tropical houseplant with large, colorful bracts. It prefers bright, indirect lighting conditions and a constant room temperature of 20-25°C. For optimal growth, it needs a humus-rich substrate, regular watering with soft water and regular fertilization during the growth phase.

Origin

The genus of flamingo flowers (Anthurium) includes around 600 to 1000 different species that are native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America and the Caribbean islands. Here, the majority of evergreen, perennial plants, like orchids, grow epiphytically, i.e. H. as epiphytes on the huge jungle trees. Only a few species have roots in the soil.

Usage

In this country, hybrids of the two species large flamingo flower (Anthurium andreanum) and small flamingo flower (Anthurium scherzerianum) are primarily cultivated as houseplants, occasionally one of the two species mentioned as well as Anthurium crystallinum. The latter is a rarely cared for species with broad, heart-shaped and shiny metallic red leaves.

Growth and size

Flamingo flowers grow in clumps, forming long stems with large leaves. On average, the plants are between 40 and 100 centimeters high and 30 to 60 centimeters wide, but can become significantly larger and more extensive as they age. Their size depends largely on their location as well as the growth and care conditions. The bushy houseplant is particularly popular because of its colorful foliage, which is usually bright red. However, there are also pink, orange and white variants.

Bloom and flowering time

These colored bracts are often mistaken for flower decorations, but the actual flowers are quite unspectacular. Only the spadix located in the middle of the magnificent bracts represents the flower. This can be straight or curved and colored red, orange or yellow. Anthurium hybrids generally bloom all year round; average flowering times of up to 300 days per year are not uncommon with good care. Only the small flamingo flower (Anthurium Scherzerianum) only shows its often very lush colors between May and June.

leaves

The leaves of the Anthurium hybrids can look very different, depending on which genetic material comes through. In most commercially available varieties, the dark green, shiny foliage is long-stemmed and elongated-heart-shaped. Elongated, lanceolate shapes are also possible. The colored bracts or bracts (the botanist calls this “spatha”) have an egg-shaped to heart-shaped or oval shape and are characterized by sometimes deep bulges.

Fruits

Anthurium extremely rarely produces fruit when grown indoors due to the generally lack of pollination. This is especially true if it is a hybrid – and therefore sterile – variety. In their natural habitat, however, the plants develop inconspicuous berries from the flowers that contain tiny seeds the size of a grain of grain.

Roots

The fleshy, compact rhizome of the flamingo flower doesn't take up much space, which is why the planter only needs to be slightly larger than the root ball. The long leaf and flower stalks grow directly from the roots and do not branch among themselves or above ground.

Is anthurium poisonous?

As a representative of the Araceae family, Anthurium is naturally poisonous to humans and animals. The leaves in particular contain oxalic acid and insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which irritate the mucous membranes and can lead to typical symptoms of poisoning such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. However, the symptoms of the disease usually subside after a few hours because the plants are only classified as slightly toxic. However, the Bonn information center against poisoning still recommends that you consult a doctor, as the poison content can vary greatly from plant to plant and a critical dose is not yet known. It is also advisable to drink a lot of water to dilute the toxins and eliminate them through the digestive tract as quickly as possible.

Which location is suitable?

In their natural habitat, anthuriums grow in the shade of large jungle trees. At home, you should recreate these conditions as best as possible by not placing the plants in direct sun - this quickly leads to ugly leaf burns, especially on south-facing windows. However, the space must be bright, which is why you should carefully check the conditions in your apartment. If the window in question faces east or west, the anthurium can also be placed on the window sill as long as it can be protected from any midday sun that may come in during the summer months. However, if the window faces south, you should place the plant at least one meter away and definitely shade it during the midday hours. Larger, sun-loving plants on the windowsill or trees outside are suitable for this.

Caution is advised in winter if the anthurium is placed on a window sill: In many apartments there are radiators underneath, whose warm and dry air the flamingo flower cannot tolerate. Instead, as a typical rainforest plant, it requires high humidity, which is why it is often best kept in the bathroom. She also doesn't like drafts (e.g. next to frequently opened windows) and feels most comfortable in temperatures that stay the same all year round between 20 and 25 °C.

Substrate

Place the flamingo flower in a loose, well-drained and humus-rich substrate. A high-quality, commercially available potting soil is completely sufficient. In addition, the plants can be kept excellently in hydroculture, where they often feel much more comfortable.

Propagate Anthurium

The easiest way to propagate anthuriums is through division, which is carried out in spring if possible. Proceed as follows:

  • Lift the plant from the pot.
  • Carefully remove the adhered soil.
  • Now carefully pull or cut the root ball into at least two parts.
  • Take a close look at the root ball beforehand.
  • The best places for division are easy to identify.
  • Always use a sharp and clean knife when cutting!
  • Then plant the individual parts in individual pots with fresh substrate.
  • Water thoroughly and continue to care for it as usual.

Larger plants also often form little ones, which simply have to be carefully separated and planted separately. Furthermore, propagation is also possible via cuttings and sowing, but both are not without pitfalls and take a lot of time.

Cuttings

For propagation from cuttings, use young leaves with existing roots, which you can recognize by small nodes at the base of the stem. Carefully separate these leaves from the mother plant without damaging the nodes and place them in a glass of fresh, warm water. Place the glass in a bright (but not directly sunny!) and warm location. Change the water every day and don't forget to clean any deposits from the glass. The young anthuriums are only potted when they have formed sufficient roots.

Sowing

If you discover small white berries on the flower spadix of your anthurium, you should act quickly. The seeds inside - if they are capable of germinating at all - must be put into the ground quickly, as they can only reproduce for a short time. Open the berries and carefully wash off the slimy pulp. This contains germ-inhibiting substances and must therefore be removed. Then place the few seeds in a seed tray filled with sand, but the grains must not be covered under any circumstances to ensure they germinate in the light. Spray the substrate with the seeds and keep them evenly moist in the coming weeks. Ensure that the air is taut by placing the cultivation trays in a greenhouse or covering them with translucent film. Place the bowl in a warm and bright place, ensure sufficient humidity and ventilate the cover regularly. Germination should occur after two weeks at the latest, although the failure rate is very high.

Watering anthurium

Anthuriums rely on a consistent water supply and should not dry out. If the plant is kept too dry, only a few flowers will form or the existing ones will be dropped. Make sure that the substrate is always slightly moist, but definitely not permanently wet. The plant also cannot tolerate waterlogging and then develops root rot after a short time, which is usually fatal. Good pot drainage is therefore essential; excess irrigation water should be able to drain away unhindered. Remove this from planters and saucers after just a few minutes to save the plant “wet feet”.

Use soft water when watering, as anthuriums are quite sensitive to lime. If there is no rainwater available, stale tap water is also very suitable. However, this should not be cold, but room temperature - or do you like to take a cold shower? Furthermore, the plant should be sprayed with room temperature water or showered from time to time. This not only removes the layer of dust on the leaves - which in turn hinders photosynthesis - but also ensures higher humidity.

Fertilize Anthurium properly

As a flowering plant, anthuriums require a lot of nutrients, but are very sensitive to s alts. For this reason, you should fertilize often, but only in small doses. If possible, use a liquid complete fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon) for houseplants or flowering plants, which you add to the irrigation water in half the recommended concentration and administer weekly during the summer months. In winter, however, one fertilization per month is sufficient.

Repotting

Plant young flamingo flowers in a larger pot with fresh substrate every spring. Older, fully grown specimens no longer need to be repotted, but you can rejuvenate them by dividing them. If this is not desired, just replace the substrate in the spring.

Cut anthurium correctly

In principle, cutting measures are not necessary. You should only remove discolored or dried leaves and faded flower shoots directly at the base with sharp, clean scissors or a small knife.

Wintering

During the winter months, anthuriums should be kept in a bright place with slightly cooler temperatures between 16 and 20 °C, and they are now watered and fertilized less frequently. In this way, the formation of flowers can also be promoted in specimens that are lazy to bloom.

Diseases

The shiny leaves of the flamingo flower are covered with a layer of wax that keeps many pests and pathogens away from the start. In fact, many symptoms are less due to fungi or viruses than to care errors. Waterlogging or a substrate that is permanently too moist not only causes the soil to mold, but also causes the roots to rot. The only solution in this situation is a quick repotting into fresh, dry substrate, combined with a vigorous pruning of the roots and above-ground parts of the plant.

As long as your anthurium has shiny, dark green leaves without any discoloration and keeps producing new flowers, it feels good. In this case, leave them where they are and continue to care for them as before.

Yellow leaves

If the leaves turn yellow, the anthurium is often too bright. This is especially the case if the plant is directly next to a window. Place it a little further away so that it is out of the direct sun but still bright. Remove the discolored leaves with scissors or a knife, they will not turn green again.

Brown leaves / brown leaf spots

If the edges of the leaves curl up, the leaves get brown spots or entire leaves turn brown, then your anthurium is probably suffering from a lack of water. The root ball must not dry out, which is why you should carry out a finger test regularly: If the substrate feels dry on the surface, it is time to water. However, if the soil is still moist, you should wait a few days.

Pests

The flamingo flower is also quite resistant to pests. Only spider mites and scale insects can cause problems for the plant from time to time. Spider mites, also known as red spiders, only appear when the air is too dry and can be easily eliminated by increasing the humidity. Scale insects, on the other hand, can simply be wiped off with a damp cloth and a little detergent.

Anthurium is not blooming, what to do?

If the anthurium doesn't really bloom, it's probably lacking nutrients. If you fertilize the plant regularly, the first flowers should appear soon. Another reason for lazy flowering is a location that is too dark - moving it to a brighter place helps.

Tip

The flower stalks of the flamingo flower can also be easily arranged as cut flowers in the vase, either in a mixed bouquet or alone. Change the water regularly and place the container in a bright, non-drafty location, then you can enjoy the colorful splendor for two to three weeks.

Varieties

The most popular hybrid varieties of anthurium include:

  • ‘Acropolis’: creamy white flowers
  • ‘Baron’: pink flowers
  • ‘Cheers’: pink flowers
  • ‘Fantasia’: cream-colored flowers
  • ‘Midori’: green flowers
  • ‘Otazu’: red-brown flowers
  • ‘Pistace’: light green flowers
  • ‘Rosee Choco’: dark red flowers