If you want to decorate your home without resorting to significant financial costs, then Anthurium is your option. This plant looks quite strict, but at the same time elegant. It is able to decorate a house, apartment or even an office. The plant, despite its rather catchy appearance, has an easygoing character. It is enough to follow certain rules. In this review, we will consider what anthurium flower is, how to care for it, the diseases to which it is susceptible, as well as other issues.
Appearance story
The handsome Anthurium today is one of the most attractive and representative indoor plants. It may well become the pride of a home collection. But beginning flower growers are afraid to grow anthurium. Home care, illness and their treatment - all this seems terribly difficult to them. However, this does not prevent the plant from remaining in the list of the most popular exotic species, despite the fact that the cost of the flower is far from the lowest.
Anthurium originates from South and Central America. It is common in Argentina, Mexico and Paraguay. Anthurium grows in subtropical and tropical areas, as well as in mountainous areas. The flower is often found in lowlands. You can find anthurium at an altitude of 3400 meters above sea level. The flower was first described in 1929. Since the anthurium had a rather capricious character, it was not widely used. It was grown only in greenhouses, where it was possible to create the conditions necessary for growth. With the advent of the first hybrids, adapted to more familiar conditions for human life, Anthurium began to gain popularity.
Title
Before starting to talk about potted plants anthurium and their diseases, mention should be made of the nickname of this plant. It is also known as red tongue, flamingo flower, male happiness. If you translate the name "Anthurium" literally from Latin, you get the "tail flower", which very well describes the appearance of the plant. This unusual flower is often associated with the legend of a girl who chose death at the stake instead of marriage with an unloved person. In the place where the beauty died, and these flowers grew. The story itself is very sad. Anthurium is considered a symbol of love and fidelity. This plant can be a wonderful wedding gift for the newlyweds.
Description and specifications
Anthurium flower belongs to the Aroid family. In nature, there are grassy and climbing forms of this plant. Tree-like specimens are much less common. As for species, for the most part these are epiphytes and semi-epiphytes. Lithophytes, or plants that can grow among stones, are much less common. The culture can reach a height of 40-80 cm. It has thickened stems with short internodes. The leaf plate, depending on the type of plant, can have a different shape. There are specimens with rounded, heart-shaped, spade-like and even arrow-shaped leaves. The top may be pointed or blunt. The leaves themselves can have a different texture, as well as solid or complex shapes. Usually their structure is leathery and dense, but quite fragile specimens resembling parchment paper are also found. As for the surface of the sheet, it can be either glossy or semi-glossy. Sometimes there are types of anthurium with dull processes.
Flowers stand out especially among the lush and rich greenery of Anthurium. By their structure, they are leathery and hard, can have a different color. Most often in nature there are green and white options. Varieties grown for indoor breeding can have a more saturated color. So, for example, on sale today you can find bright red and orange options. Hybrids with multicolor coloring are also found. The inflorescence may have a spiral, spherical or club shape.
Anthurium has a wide variety of colors and shades. The root system is air. It is covered with dead hygroscopic tissue, which is also called velamen. It is thanks to this element that anthuriums are able to easily tolerate the alternation of dry periods and high humidity.
Varieties
There are more than 500 species of anthuriums. Modern scientists even claim that they know about 900 items.
Consider the most common and popular varieties in indoor floriculture:
- Anthurium Andre: perennial herb. The leaves in the shape of an elongated heart are on long stalks. Their plate is quite dense, green in color with a semi-glossy surface. It can have a different color - from white to bright red. Inflorescence in shape resembles a yellow ear. The plant is distinguished by excellent decorative characteristics and has become widespread among flower growers.
- Anthurium Andre Champion: medium-sized culture with amazing color. The leaves are dark green, leathery. Inflorescences are small in size. The champion is famous for their number. Depending on the variety, the color of the plant may be yellowish or pink.
- Scherzer Anthurium: a short-stem above-ground flower. Petioles on which the leaves are located can be 4 to 20 cm long. The leaves are elliptical or lanceolate. They have a dense structure and a matte surface. The flower for this variety is the main distinguishing feature. It has a bright orange color. Its surface is glossy, the inflorescence in shape resembles a cob twisted in a spiral. This variety is widespread among gardeners.
- Anthurium Crystal: the leaves of the flower are quite large, up to 40 cm long. In shape they resemble elongated ovals with a pointed apex. This variety is highly regarded for its rather unusual coloring. Areas of veins contrastingly stand out against a dark green background. The inflorescence itself resembles a tapering yellow cob in shape.
- Anthurium Baker: the stems of the plant can reach 10 cm in length. The leaves have an elliptical-lanceolate shape. Their length is from 20 to 55 cm. The plate is painted in dark green color and has a matte surface. The flowers are quite modest. They are located below the level of foliage. The inflorescence itself is a cream-colored cob, up to 11 cm long.
- Anthurium mix: a hybrid variety obtained by crossing the Scherzer and Andre species. It grows well in room conditions and does not require special attention. Plants have a compact size and various colors of bedspreads.
We care for anthurium at home
So what do you need to know about this? Growing anthurium at home is not too easy. However, nothing is impossible. It is enough to study a number of simple recommendations, and you can grow this exotic handsome man at home. This beautiful flower will easily decorate any environment. In return, he needs to devote only a little time.
Watering and humidity
Many beginner gardeners are interested in what diseases of the home flower Anthurium are most common. When creating the right conditions for the content of the problems may not arise at all. The flower should be watered abundantly. The soil in the pot should dry about a third in depth before the next wetting. To check the degree of humidity, simply drop a small wooden stick into a container with anthurium. If its surface remains clean, then the plant can be watered. But only everything should be in moderation. If there are clumps of dirt on the surface, it means that there is still enough moisture in the pot and no liquid is required.
In spring and summer, you can moisturize the anthurium every 3-4 days. In autumn, it is necessary to gradually reduce the number of irrigations. In winter, moisture evaporates slowly, so the interval between humidifications can be further increased. Be sure to drain the water from the pan after watering. Otherwise, root suppression is possible.
How to water anthurium? Leaf diseases are often caused by poor hard water. Experts recommend settling irrigation fluid during the day. Also take into account the temperature of the water. Too cold in winter can cause the plant to die.
The flower belongs to tropical cultures, but, despite this, he does not really like moisture. With constant bays, the plant will die. Anthurium also suffers from drought. However, the over-dried soil will not damage the roots too much.
Particular attention should be paid to air humidity. It should be high enough - from 85 to 95%. It is important to monitor this in the warm season and when the heating is on. To create the required level of humidity, just put a container with a flower on a pallet with moistened moss or expanded clay. Also, anthurium is recommended to be sprayed regularly. Dust from the leaves can be removed with a damp cloth. In the warm season, it is especially useful to bathe a flower. Wall florariums and shop windows are best suited for growing anthuriums. The microclimate created inside is great for growing this plant.
How to fertilize?
How to care for anthurium flower? Plant diseases can occur due to lack of nutrients in the soil. Therefore, from time to time he needs mineral supplements. Since the root system is very sensitive, the finished concentrate must be diluted with water twice as much as indicated on the package. Top dressing with azophos shows a good effect. You can also add potassium humate to the finished solution . In addition to root dressing, foliar can also be used. However, they should be used with great care. It is better to remove the plant for some time from the sunny side to avoid leaf burns. It is necessary to apply top dressing in the warm season once every 2-3 weeks.
It is best to alternate mineral and organic fertilizers. Humus from the leaves is applied on top of the substrate in the form of mulch. This must be done in order for Anthurium to actively increase its green mass. Diseases of anthuriums at home are often caused by damage to the roots. To avoid this problem, it is enough to remember that liquid fertilizers are used only after watering.
Lighting
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Anthurium needs good lighting. The daylight hours should be at least 10 hours. One of the possible problems that occurs when exposed to direct sunlight on anthurium is leaf disease. It is best to place the plant on the west or east side. Diffused sunlight will help the plant sparkle with bright colors.
If the anthurium is located on the south side, then in the afternoon it must be shaded. To do this, just hide the plant behind a curtain or curtain. Windows on the north side are not ways to provide the flower with the required amount of light. This will negatively affect flowering and lush greenery. To prevent anthurium flower disease, it is necessary to install additional illumination. Proper lighting will help make the color of the buds much brighter.
Temperature
Anthurium is a fairly thermophilic plant. Throughout the year he needs warmth. The optimal temperature is 20-28 degrees. Raising and lowering below 18 degrees can lead to anthurium disease, and their treatment will require additional effort. The plant does not tolerate drafts. For this reason, you must be especially careful about finding a place. It should be well ventilated, but at the same time it is quite far from the flow of cold air.
How to achieve flowering of anthurium?
Novice gardeners are often interested in the flower anthurium. Care, diseases that may arise, the right conditions for detention - that’s all you need to know. However, even if all the requirements are met, the plant may refuse to bloom. In order for the anthurium to lay flower buds, it is necessary to hold it at 16 degrees in a bright room for a while. After that, the room temperature should gradually be increased to 25 degrees. Old inflorescences must be removed along with the peduncle. Thus, the plant will not spend energy on the formation of seeds, and you can extend its flowering.
Pest and Disease Control
Anthurium is a fairly unpretentious plant. If you treat him carefully, no difficulties will arise. However, a fairly common problem when growing anthurium flower is diseases and pests. Often, beginning flower growers make mistakes, so the condition of the plant worsens. But if you quickly detect a problem, the flower can recover.
One of the most common problems during the growth of the Anthurium flower is leaf diseases, the treatment of which is not as fast as desired. Yellowing of the plates can be caused by drafts or improper temperature conditions. The appearance of dark spots can be associated with improper soil or excessive watering. To improve the condition of the plant, it is worth trying to change the irrigation scheme, as well as move it to another place. If you think the matter is in the soil, transplant the flower into another soil.
The most common question asked by flower growers involved in growing anthurium flower: "How to treat leaf diseases?" Darkening of the tips of the plates may be due to lack of moisture or too high room temperature. In this case, regular spraying of the flower, as well as wiping with a damp cloth, will help. But if dark spots appeared in the middle of the leaf, then most likely the flower is affected by anthracnose. In this case, damaged leaves must be removed. After this, the plant is transplanted into fresh soil, having previously disinfected the roots. Intact leaves should be sprayed with special preparations such as Fundazole or Fitosporin.
Conclusion
Anthurium is a very beautiful and unpretentious plant in care. It is enough to create the right conditions for him. Many today are seeking to grow anthurium red flower on their windowsill. Diseases and pests do not often affect this plant. It is for this reason that it has become widespread among beginner gardeners.