Anthurium is a very beautiful, amazing flower, the birthplace of which is considered to be South and Central America. This is an indoor houseplant from the Araceae family. This flower is popular not only because of its amazing appearance and the unique shape of the flowers.
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It is believed that it is able to bring good luck to its owners, attract money, and fight adversity. Thanks to the special shape of the flower, there was a belief among the people that it was able to increase male strength, which is why it received the name “male happiness.” Let us consider in detail how to care for the plant, what are the features of keeping it at home.
Caring for “Male Happiness” after purchase
By purchasing an Anthurium flower, you take on great responsibility, because it is extremely fastidious in care and requires special attention.
It is necessary to familiarize yourself in advance with all the recommendations for keeping the plant at home and study the features of its cultivation.
Initially, you need to choose the right pot where it will exist.
Of course, you could purchase it with a pot filled with special soil, but we will not consider this case.
As surprising as it may sound, the anthurium pot should be as tight as possible. They do not like large spaces, spending all their energy on root growth, and the soil becomes acidic. The leaves remain sparse and the plant will not bloom. This does not apply to the width of the container. The space for long roots will come in handy. Having settled comfortably, entrenched in its “house”, the stems will be extensively covered with foliage.
The pot should be filled with a mixture of soil and expanded clay. It is recommended to change the substrate every spring. This is necessary for the anthurium to bloom. The flower loves oxygen.
You can mix the soil with peat and moss, and make small holes on the sides of the pot, which will ensure an active supply of oxygen to the roots. Flower shops sell special soil for growing Anthurium and initial recommendations for processing.
Planting and propagating anthurium
Anthurium propagates well by cuttings: to do this, pinch off the upper part of the stem with at least one leaf and aerial roots. It will strengthen and take root very quickly - and you can plant the sprouts.
Seeds are used less frequently because it is more difficult to germinate them at home: the flowers need to be pollinated by hand for several days and wait for the fruits to ripen, which sometimes takes up to a year. Seeds that are too old cannot be used - they simply will not sprout. And new young seedlings are placed in a small greenhouse for several weeks before picking and seedlings.
Replant the anthurium every 1-2 years as the root system grows. At the same time, you can divide the mother plant into several stems with roots and plant them in different pots. Just handle the plant carefully: its sap is poisonous and can cause irritation.
Growing and care conditions
Anthurium has several species that differ from their counterparts not only in their external qualities and aroma, but also require special care, different from other plants of the aroid family.
Interesting! The most popular species is Andre Dakota, whose flowers have a bright red lacquered color, and the shoot fluctuates in light shades of beige and pastel.
Temperature
Since Anthurium is a tropical plant, it is thermophilic. The room will have to be maintained at temperatures suitable for its existence all year round. In the summer, the temperature at home should be from 20 to 28 degrees. At the same time, it is worth protecting it from direct sunlight, which can be harmful to it.
In winter, the air temperature can be maintained between 15 and 20 degrees. At the same time, you can speed up the process of its flowering by increasing the temperature to summer standards. But you definitely need to wait time for the plant to set buds at temperatures of 16-18 degrees. Afterwards you can increase the heat.
Air humidity
Like warmth, "Men's Happiness" loves moist air, which prevails in its tropical habitats.
You need to provide it with adequate hydration. But don't overdo it. because due to excess water, the roots may begin to rot.
Place a tray filled with moistened pebbles under the plant pot.
From time to time you need to lightly spray the crown with a spray bottle. You can wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. Water should not get on the inflorescences.
You can purchase a humidifier and place it in the room with the plant. Air humidity should be adjusted to 80%. Place a container of water next to Anthurius. Its evaporation will create a tropical effect for your pet.
Lighting
The flower loves diffused and soft light. Without proper lighting, it may refuse to bloom and will look lethargic. Never allow the flower to be in direct sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation can cause burns to a delicate plant and even destroy it.
The pot should be placed on windows facing east or northwest. If there are none, then place it in partial shade, at a distance of a meter from the window.
In winter, when “Male Happiness” especially needs light, place the plant on a windowsill with windows facing south.
Choosing a place to put it
Having understood the peculiarities of its habitat and preferences, all that remains is to figure out where to put the flower?
The ideal place would be in the eastern part of the room, where there is a window nearby that will supply it with light.
But you need to take care that the flower does not encounter drafts. If the windows are plastic, then you don’t have to worry and place it on the windowsill. You need to choose that part of the room where the light falls, but the wind does not “walk”.
Do not place it near electrical appliances. The radiation emanating from them is not only harmful to “Male Happiness”, but also absorbs its positive energy. You should not place it near radiators and other artificial heat producers.
If you have a bathroom that has a window, place the plant in front of it during the winter. It will receive the necessary humidity for existence and natural heat from the evaporation of water. In summer it can be placed in the living room or bedroom.
Curious! According to Feng Shui, it is recommended to place the plant in the eastern part of the house. It is believed that it will have maximum energy.
Lighting
Blooming anthuriums love bright sunlight, but it is advisable not to place the pot in direct sunlight so as not to spoil the beautiful leaves and flowers with burns. The best places for them will be on the eastern and western windows of the room. Only in winter should the anthuriums be moved to a south window, closer to the sun. Lack of lighting has a detrimental effect on anthurium - it stops blooming, the leaves lose their decorative effect. On short winter days, it is advisable to organize illumination of anthuriums using phyto lamps or fluorescent lamps.
And decorative deciduous varieties of anthuriums are shade-tolerant. They feel great on the northern windows of the apartment. If the apartment has only southern windows and the sun actively illuminates the room, it is better to place the anthurium pot away from the window so that the sun's rays do not harm the plant.
This may be interesting: Strelitzia is a bird of paradise in your home
What does anthurium look like in the interior?
Anthurium flowers are very popular among those who appreciate beauty and are accustomed to enjoying the little things.
Its bright appearance can dilute the boring interior of a room and add that note that was missing.
Since “Male Happiness” includes more than 800 types, you can choose its color and appearance to match the design of your apartment.
It should be borne in mind that depending on the species, the smell of the flower may differ. The aroma varies from delicate and pleasant to pungent and fetid.
Most of all, it is popular among artists and photographers who prefer to arrange a photo shoot against its background or include it in a still life composition.
Anthurium is not only pleasing to the eye, but is also able to purify the energy of the house, transforming it from negative to good. For its owners, as a rule, everything always goes smoothly and has a positive result.
Types of anthurium with photos and names
Anthurium andreanum
The height of this epiphyte is 50-75 cm. The leathery ovoid leaves reach a length of 30-40 cm and a width of 15-20 cm. A white or yellow inflorescence-cob, up to 15 cm long, is shrouded in a leathery heart-shaped blanket with noticeably pronounced veins and a glossy surface.
Popular varieties of Anthurium Andre:
- 'Acropolis' – leaves – dark green, spadix – yellow, bract – white, wide;
- 'Arizona' – cob – green-yellow, spathe – red;
- 'Pink Champion' – spadix and spathe – bright pink;
- 'Casino' – cob – green-red, spathe – yellow, arrow-shaped.
Anthurium scherzerianum
Green elliptical or lanceolate leaves have a matte surface. The height of the peduncle is 15-50 cm. The ear is yellow or orange. The bracts are bent, oval, colored pink, red, orange, green.
Anthurium magnificum
The wide and long leaves are dark green and velvety. The veins of the upper part of the leaf blade are olive in color, due to which the leaves acquire a beautiful color pattern. The bracts are green with a red tint.
Baker's Anthurium (Anthurium bakeri)
The leathery, belt-shaped leaves are 20-50 cm long and 3-9 cm wide. The lower part of the leaf blade is covered with brown-red dots. The length of the peduncle varies from 5 to 30 cm. The length of the white cob is up to 10 cm. The bract is yellow-green, acquiring a purple tint towards the edges.
Flowering conditions
To make this fastidious plant please you with beautiful buds, you need to constantly keep it in conditions suitable for its existence. In addition, you need to pamper the plant with additives and vitamins.
- It is better to water Anthurium with settled, filtered water at room temperature. The water must be free of impurities. Do not allow water to stagnate.
- Cover the top layer of soil with sphagnum to prevent it from drying out in the heat.
- If you decide to place the pot on a south-facing window, then darken it with tulle or move it to the corner of the window.
- In winter, the plant needs to be provided with additional artificial light. You can direct the rays of a table lamp at it.
- Frequently rearranging a flower can have a detrimental effect on it. It is best to do this 2 times a year. In spring and autumn.
- If “Male Happiness” begins to bloom, then put it in a dark place, hiding it from bright rays of light.
- During the flowering period, watering the flower is increased. Do not forget about periodically spraying the leaves and stems with a spray bottle.
Bloom
With proper care of the “male happiness” flower, the plant not only becomes more beautiful, but also gives positive emotions. Its flowering period is February–November. It stops only in the most extreme cold. The flowers stay on the stems for a long time. If you cut them, they will remain in a vase with water for about 3 weeks. They say that at the moment of flowering the plant has forces that affect the environment. Most often, during this period of time, things go uphill for residents and their mood improves. But for this it is necessary to carry out high-quality care for the “male happiness” flower. Propagation of this plant is easy. With the right approach, you can make it grow in every room.
Transfer
“Male happiness” requires constant transplantation. You should definitely replant it immediately after purchasing it, choosing the optimal pot and soil composition. A young flower needs to be replanted once a year, and as it grows, reduce it to once every two or three years.
During this action you need to be extremely careful, because Anthurium is a very fragile flower, and its roots are sensitive to any damage. If it turns out that you hit the root, then cover the wound site with activated carbon.
Advice! If you have never replanted flowers, then ask your friend who has similar experience to be present. This way you will eliminate the possibility of making a mistake, and the advice of an experienced gardener will come in handy.
Gently hold the plant and fill the pot with a special mixture of soil, moss and earth. Try to disturb the plant as little as possible. After replanting, the plant needs to be watered abundantly so that the water compacts the soil and calms the stressed plant.
Find out more from the video:
Brief description of cultivation
- Bloom . It blooms in February and fades in November.
- Illumination . Needs plenty of bright, diffused light and protection from direct sunlight.
- Temperature regime . In the spring-summer period - from 22 to 28 degrees, in winter - around 16 degrees. Please note that Scherzer's anthurium in winter should be kept at a temperature of 12 to 14 degrees.
- Watering . During the growing season, moisten the soil mixture in the pot abundantly, immediately after it dries ½ part deep. At the end of the growing season, the bush is watered moderately.
- Air humidity . Should be increased - approximately 90 percent. Experts advise systematically rinsing the leaf blades with a damp sponge or soft cloth, and also spraying them with a spray bottle. You should also pour expanded clay or pebbles into the pan and pour in a little water.
- Fertilizer . In the spring-summer period, the plant is fed once every 15–20 days, using a mineral complex, and the dosage should be half that recommended by the manufacturer. Also, foliar feeding is carried out once every 10–15 days.
- Rest period . From mid-October to the first days of March.
- Transfer. The best time for transplantation is February and March. However, from April to August, the flower can also be replanted, but only in an emergency. While the bush is young, it needs frequent replanting (once a year), and older plants undergo this procedure once every 2 or 3 years.
- Earth mixture . Well breathable and loose. Composition: peat, turf soil and chopped sphagnum (2:1:2).
- Reproduction . By cuttings and seed method.
- Pests . Scale insects, aphids and spider mites.
- Diseases . Anthurium can get sick due to stagnation of water in the substrate, lack or excess of fertilizers in the soil mixture, violations of care rules or unsuitable conditions.
- Properties . The plant contains poison.
Anthurium – Flower shop
Landing
It should be planted in specially prepared soil consisting of a mixture of various additives. Since it is a tropical plant, where its natural habitat is loose and soft soil, ordinary soil will not suit it.
It is necessary to ensure a decent supply of oxygen to the roots of the pet. The flower does not like lime. The earth should have a weak acid reaction. It is best to mix wood humus, charcoal, moss, substrate for flowering plants, and substrate for azaleas.
Attention! It is very important to maintain proportions when preparing the mixture. An excess of one or another substrate can have a detrimental effect on the health of the pet.
About feeding and fertilizers
Anthurium needs feeding in spring and summer. The flower needs to be fed every 15 days. Buy fertilizers for aroid plants or orchids.
Caring for anthurium is not difficult. If you provide it with proper care, the flower will thank you. You can admire the vibrant flowers and showy large leaves all year round.
Reproduction
Plant propagation must be approached with special care.
A mistake could lead to his death. Inexperienced housewives are not recommended to deal with this issue on their own. There are several methods of reproduction:
- Using the top, carefully cutting it off the stem and rooting it in a container of water;
- Stem shoots sprouting on the roots;
- By resorting to dividing the roots of the maternity bush using a sharp knife.
Anthurium care at home
Illumination
Anthurium grows well on a western or eastern windowsill. The fact is that it needs very bright and diffused light. The bush can grow on a northern windowsill, but, as a rule, it does not have enough light there. If you decide to place a flower on a south window, then it will have to be shaded from the direct scorching rays of the sun; for this you can use tulle, newspaper, etc. Instead, it can be placed further away from the window, deeper into the room.
Temperature
Anthurium is a heat-loving crop. In this regard, in the spring and summer it should be kept in a warm place (22–28 degrees). Make sure that the room at this time is not colder than 18 degrees, as this can cause the development of diseases. From the beginning of autumn to the end of winter, the bush is kept in a cool place (about 16 degrees). At the same time, the Scherzer anthurium is kept in a colder place for two months - from 12 to 14 degrees. During transition periods, the plant must be gradually accustomed to decreasing and increasing air temperatures. Remember that anthurium reacts extremely negatively to both sudden temperature changes and drafts.
Watering anthurium
During the period of active flower growth, it needs regular, abundant watering, which should be done only when the soil mixture in the container dries halfway up. You need to water with well-settled and soft water (rainwater is excellent). Remember that such a plant tolerates a slight drought much better than regular stagnation of liquid in the soil mixture. Excessive moisture can lead to rot on the root system. 20–30 minutes after watering, be sure to drain the excess liquid that has flowed into it from the pan.
How to properly water Anthurium, water for irrigation
Air humidity
The plant needs high air humidity (approximately 90 percent). If the air in the room is too dry, this may cause the growth of the bush to slow down.
Anthurium needs regular hygiene procedures. As necessary, dust and dirt must be removed from the surface of its leaf plates using a moistened sponge or a rough cloth. In the spring and summer, moisten the foliage from a spray bottle with settled, non-cold water. This will speed up the growth and development of the bush. Remember that when spraying, water should not get on the surface of the flowers, as this will cause spots to form on them, which will spoil the appearance of the plant.
To maintain a high level of humidity, the flower pot along with the anthurium must be placed on a deep tray filled with expanded clay or pebbles. A small amount of water is poured into it (the bottom of the pot should not come into contact with the liquid).
Fertilizer
For good growth, the flower requires systematic feeding. For this, complex mineral fertilizer is used, and the dosage should be half as much as indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer. Feeding is carried out only in the spring-summer period with a frequency of 1 time every 2-3 weeks. Instead of regular fertilizing, some gardeners use foliar fertilizing (by leaf); this should be done once every 1–1.5 weeks. The plant also responds well to fertilizing with organic matter, but such fertilizer is quite difficult to use at home. For example, you can use semi-rotted horse or cow manure, fermented mullein, leaf humus or an infusion of chicken manure.
Bloom
In order to stimulate the formation of buds, and therefore lush flowering, the plant should be kept cool (from 14 to 16 degrees) during the dormant period for 1.5–2 months. If you follow all the rules of care, the bush will delight the grower with its spectacular flowers from the last days of May until almost the beginning of September. Moreover, some Andre anthurium hybrids can bloom almost throughout the year.
For longer and more luxuriant flowering, you should promptly trim off the inflorescences that have begun to fade. Thanks to this, the bush will not waste energy on them, but will direct it to the development of new inflorescences. If you need seed material, then you will need to carry out artificial pollination. To do this, use a soft brush to take pollen from one flower and transfer it to another.
If you cut off inflorescences that are not fully formed, they will be able to stand in a vase for about five days. If you cut off fully formed flowers, then they will delight you with their beauty for 20–35 days.
Anthurium transplant
Transplantation is carried out at the very beginning of the growing season (from February to March). If absolutely necessary, it can also be carried out in March–August. Anthurium is replanted with great care, since its leaf plates and roots can be easily injured. While the bush is young, it is replanted every year, and each time they take a new pot 10–20 mm in diameter larger than the old one. Adult specimens are subjected to this procedure only when necessary, for example, the roots no longer fit in the pot. On average, they are transplanted once every 2 or 3 years.
A plastic pot is well suited for planting a flower, because in a ceramic container the air temperature in the room and the substrate are almost the same. Also, the pot should be long, but not very wide. At its bottom it is necessary to make a good layer of drainage; for this, small pieces of brick are used. This will avoid stagnation of liquid in the soil mixture. Experts also advise covering the aerial roots with moss, making sure that it is always moist.
The soil mixture used is well drained and loose. The composition of the substrate can be as follows: chopped sphagnum, turf soil and peat (2:1:2). You can use a substrate of sand, peat and deciduous soil (1:1:1), and it is also recommended to add a small amount of small pieces of charcoal and pine bark to it. Some gardeners grow anthurium simply in the bark alone, but in this case the bush must be systematically fed.
You can also use a substrate made of pine bark, expanded clay and coarse peat. You can also use a mixture consisting of pine bark (from 30 to 50 mm in diameter), half-rotted horse manure, pumice (from 10 to 30 mm in diameter) and coarse peat (2:1:2:1). If desired, you can change the composition of the substrate during each transplant.
HOW TO TRANSPLANT ANTHURIUM
