When a gardener wants to acquire an amazingly beautiful flower, anthurium will clearly be among the candidates. It grows in South America and Central America. It belongs to the Araceae family. It takes root well and blooms when kept indoors. The plant is popular among gardeners due to its amazingly beautiful appearance and uniquely shaped flowers.
There is an opinion that anthurium brings its owner good luck and money, and helps in the fight against life's troubles. The special shape of the flowers gave birth to a legend about its ability to increase male potency. It is for this reason that it began to be called “Men’s Happiness”. How to grow anthurium at home? We will talk about this in more detail in the article.
The flower is usually chosen by people who are accustomed to enjoying the little things in life and appreciating the beauty that surrounds them. It can decorate even a boring interior design, adding a unique element of originality to it. It is not difficult to choose a suitable variety of anthurium, because there are several hundred species. This allows you to purchase a copy that matches the color and appearance of the design. Each variety of flower has a unique smell. There are plants with a delicate, pleasant aroma, and there are species whose smell is pungent and fetid.
The flower has become a real find for artists. They use it when painting still lifes. Photographers use the plant as part of the background for photographic sessions. It is also believed that anthurium converts negative energy in the home into positive energy. There is an opinion among flower growers that it has a beneficial effect on the course of the owner’s affairs and contributes to their positive resolution.
Anthurium care, care and maintenance
It is worth noting that the plant is quite finicky. For this reason, caring for anthurium can hardly be called an easy task. Before purchasing a flower, you should carefully read the content recommendations. After all, it has many nuances and growing features.
It is also worth saying that anthurium is represented by several types. Each of them requires specific care.
The location of the flower is no less important than knowledge about its properties and cultivation. Therefore, it is worth deciding on the place of detention as quickly as possible, choosing the optimal solution. An east-facing window is considered the most suitable location. The lighting will be sufficient for normal growth and development of the plant. However, drafts should be excluded. Therefore, it is better not to place a flower on windows with wooden frames that allow air to pass through. PVC windows do not have this drawback, so the plant will feel great on the windowsill.
It is not advisable to keep anthurium near electrical devices. They adversely affect it with their electromagnetic radiation.
Heating elements also negatively affect its development. In winter, when the heating system is on, it is worth keeping the flower near a lighted place. For example, a window in the bathroom, if available, is ideal for this. Moreover, the bathroom is quite humid, and the evaporation of warm water heats the air.
In summer, the plant will feel good in the living room or bedroom. According to Feng Shui, it is recommended to keep anthurium in the eastern part of the home. Because here he gains the most energy.
Soft diffused light is preferable as lighting for anthurium indoors. If there is not enough sun, it cannot bloom and has a lethargic appearance. Excessive light is also harmful; do not keep it in direct sunlight. This is fraught with burns to the foliage and death of the bush. The ideal place to keep the plant is in windows facing east or north-west. It can also be placed in partial shade half a meter from the window opening. During the cold period, anthurium lighting at home is maintained at a high level of intensity. Therefore, it is usually transferred to the window sill on the south side.
The first thing to avoid when caring for anthurium is excessive light and exposure to direct sunlight. Despite the fact that the plant is tropical, it does not tolerate too much light. In winter, the plant needs a lot of heat and light. Otherwise it withers and becomes weak. For this reason, the room temperature must be maintained at least +15 degrees Celsius. Excess moisture in the soil is also unacceptable; it leads to the formation of rot on the rhizome.
Temperature conditions in the room. The thermophilic nature of this beautiful representative of the South American tropics requires that the temperature of the anthurium be in the range of +20.. 28 degrees Celsius. In winter, you need a temperature of +15.. 20 degrees. Direct sunlight causes damage and harm to the flower. During the cold period, it is even worth keeping the plant at summer temperatures. But first you need to wait until the buds appear and keep the anthurium at +16.. 18 degrees.
Pollination of a flower. Growing the plant from seed will require pollination. If in nature there are insects for this, for example, bees or bumblebees, then in indoor conditions this will have to be done by the gardener himself. For pollination you will need a brush with soft and thin bristles. On a sunny day, it is necessary to transfer pollen from one flower to another.
If anthurium is not taken care of, it gradually loses its visual appeal. Growths appear at the roots, lower leaves fall off, small foliage and flowers grow excessively. Sometimes buds do not form. Rejuvenating the plant will avoid deterioration of its aesthetic qualities. To do this, transplant aerial roots.
Caring for anthurium at home. Briefly
| Temperature | In summer 20-26 degrees, in winter – 16-18, but not lower than 15 degrees. |
| Air humidity | High, daily spraying is recommended. |
| Lighting | Anthurium at home needs bright diffused lighting without direct rays of the sun. |
| Watering anthurium | Abundantly, as the top layer of soil dries out, in summer - 2 times a week, in winter - 1 time in 7 days. |
| Priming | Loose, light and acidic (pH 5.5-6.0). |
| Feeding and fertilizer | From May to September, once every 2-3 weeks, apply fertilizer for flowering plants in half concentration. |
| Transfer | In February-March, once every 2-3 years. |
| Reproduction | By dividing rhizomes, cuttings, seeds. |
| Features of cultivation | In summer, it is recommended to place the flower in a shady place in the garden. |
Maintaining humidity, how to water an anthurium
High indoor humidity is one of the main conditions for good growth and development of this representative of the South American tropics. This is not surprising, because this is a natural condition for its growth in nature. For this reason, the flower must be moistened regularly. A plentiful amount of moisture is added to the soil, but care must be taken to ensure that it does not stagnate. Otherwise, the roots may begin to rot.
Each type of plant requires a special approach. But in any case, watering the anthurium should be plentiful, since it loves high soil moisture. How to water anthurium in summer? This is done once every three to four days. Spraying and wiping the foliage is performed daily. To water, you need to let the water sit for three days.
For complete hydration, you need to place the container with the flower on a tray. Place a layer of wet pebbles in it. The anthurium crown is sprayed with a certain regularity and frequency. Dried leaves also need to be wiped. To do this, use a damp cloth. Inflorescences must be protected from moisture.
Humidifiers will help maintain humidity and reduce the load on the grower. The humidifier must be set to 80 percent air humidity. It is worth placing a water-containing container directly next to the flower to moisten it.
Description of Anthurium
The translation of the name anthurium is a tail flower, its inflorescence, in the form of a spadix, looks like a tail. It is located on a brightly colored bract (spread), which is often mistaken for a flower, but in fact it is a leaf that attracts insects for pollination. Another feature is various kinds of odors that appear at any time of the day, from weak and fragrant to intense and smelly, based on the preferences of pollinators (wasps - pleasant, flies - foul).
Anthurium received two more names: the flamingo flower and the symbol of male happiness. The first, because of the cob with a veil, reminiscent of this bird, the second - according to popular superstitions.
How to feed and prune a plant
Creating comfortable living conditions and proper watering will not bring the desired result if anthurium fertilizer is not used during flowering. It is this that allows you to achieve lush leaves and good flowering. Fertilizer for anthurium also helps reduce the risk of diseases in the plant and helps it fight pests more effectively.
To do this, in the summer from March to autumn, mixtures based on mineral and organic elements are added to the soil. Fertilizer for anthurium at home is produced once every two weeks. In this case, the mixtures (solutions) used are alternated. Feeding anthurium at home is sold in special stores for gardeners. They can help you choose the best fertilizers.
The buds are pruned after they have bloomed. In this case, they need to be trimmed carefully with a sharp knife at the base. The cut is sprinkled with activated carbon. The inflorescence cover can be cut off after it has dried. The core usually separates from the plant after drying on its own.
Planting in the ground, transplanting
The first condition for the full growth and development of a plant is a correctly selected pot - a container for planting. The flower feels uncomfortable in spacious containers. In them, its roots grow quickly and the soil becomes acidic, the foliage grows limp, and the plant cannot bloom. Therefore, you need to choose a small pot.
The container for planting should be selected with as wide a cross-section as possible. This has a beneficial effect on the development of the rhizome, promotes the growth of stems and the formation of dense foliage.
Replanting must be done frequently. How to replant anthurium at home? The first transplant is done immediately after purchase. The pot for the plant needs to be selected in the optimal size. The soil composition must also be suitable. In the first years, the flower is replanted once a year. When the plant gets stronger and matures, its replanting is reduced to once every two or three years.
Caution when transplanting anthurium at home is essential. The root system is highly fragile and is very easy to damage during replanting. Damaged areas of the root are covered with activated carbon. It is better for novice flower growers to enlist the help of more experienced comrades. When the soil for replanting the anthurium is poured into the pot, the plant must be carefully held. The soil should consist of a mixture of earth and moss. After transplantation, the plant should not be unduly disturbed by any actions. It needs plenty of watering after replanting. This helps compact the soil. Thanks to this, the plant gets rid of stress faster.
To plant and care for anthurium, you need soil enriched with nutrients. To create it, special additives are used. Under natural conditions, the plant grows in loose and soft soils in tropical climates. For this reason, ordinary soil from the garden will not suit him. The soil must be enriched with oxygen.
The content of lime in the soil adversely affects its growth and development. The soil for anthurium should have a weak acid reaction. The ideal substrate is a mixture of wood humus, moss and coal. You need to add substrates for flowering plants and Azaleas to it. Planting anthurium at home also requires observing proportions when preparing the soil mixture. An excess of certain elements can negatively affect the development of the plant and even destroy it.
To care for anthurium at home, it is optimal to fill the pot with special soil mixed with expanded clay filler. For full annual flowering, it is worth replanting it in new soil with enviable regularity. Namely, every year in the spring. The earth needs to be saturated with oxygen.
It is also worth adding peat and moss to the soil for planting. The side holes in the container will allow you to saturate the soil with air oxygen. In specialized stores you can choose a ready-made mixture that is ideal for growing this flower.
Caring for anthurium at home. Details
Anthurium care at home requires quite careful care, especially in matters of humidity, lighting and temperature.
Anthurium transplantation after purchase. Video
Bloom
Small anthurium flowers are collected in a cylindrical or spiral inflorescence-cob.
Its length varies from 5 to 30 cm in different species. The cob is shrouded in a bright blanket, which can be colored red, pink, white, yellow, orange, green, purple, or a combination of several of them. Flowering duration is 2-3 months, sometimes up to 6 months. To stimulate abundant flowering, it is necessary to organize a cool winter (16-18 degrees).
Temperature
Anthurium is thermophilic. In summer, the optimal temperature for it will be 20-26 degrees, in winter – 16-18 degrees, but not lower than 15. The plant does not tolerate drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Spraying
Home anthurium needs high environmental humidity - 70-90%. Daily spraying with filtered water at room temperature is necessary (except for varieties with velvety foliage). During flowering, it is important to ensure that drops do not fall on the bracts, since the water leaves black spots.
To increase humidity, the pot can be placed in a tray with damp expanded clay, and the base of the stems can be covered with damp moss.
Lighting
Anthurium needs bright, but diffused lighting. The optimal place is a western or eastern window sill. In the south you will need shading from direct sun.
To achieve year-round flowering, artificial supplementary lighting is necessary in winter. In summer, it is recommended to place the flower in a shady corner of the garden.
Don't forget about the phytolamp! This is an excellent solution for additional lighting and rapid development of the plant.
Watering
Anthurium in indoor conditions does not tolerate both waterlogging and drying out of the soil. Therefore, it is important to regularly moisten the substrate as soon as the top layer in the pot dries. In summer, the plant is usually watered twice a week, in winter - once every 7 days. 15-20 minutes after the procedure, the water is drained from the pan.
It is important to use soft water: settled, defrosted or rainwater.
Hygiene
It is recommended to wipe the anthurium leaves from dust once a week with a damp cloth. Once every few months you can take a warm shower.
It is important to promptly prune faded inflorescences.
Soil for anthurium
Anthurium needs light acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.0). You can choose one of the earth mixture options:
- High-moor peat, leaf soil, pine bark and sand in a ratio of 2:2:1:1;
- Peat, chopped sphagnum moss, fine gravel, leaf soil (3:1:1:1/2), some pine bark and charcoal.
Good drainage is necessary.
Feeding and fertilizer
The anthurium flower is fed at home once every 2-3 weeks from April to September. Liquid mineral fertilizers for flowering plants in half concentration are suitable.
Choose the right fertilizer for yourself !
Transfer
Transplantation is carried out in February-March.
Young specimens are replanted annually, adults - once every 3-4 years.
The pot should be small and match the size of the root system.
Rest period
There is no clearly defined period of rest. In winter, it is necessary to reduce watering and keep it at a temperature of 16-18 degrees.
If on vacation
If you leave the plant for up to 7 days, it will not feel the absence of its hosts much. However, if you are leaving for longer, entrust the care of the anthurium to relatives or neighbors.
Reproduction methods
Careful propagation of anthurium at home will avoid the risk of plant death. A florist needs to gain experience and knowledge to start doing this business. How are new flowers grown? There are three ways to do this:
- Anthurium propagation by cuttings.
- Anthurium propagation by leaf.
- Growing anthurium from seeds at home.
Top cuttings are cut and placed in water for rooting. You can also use shoots on the stem near the root as cutting material. Cuttings are also obtained by dividing the root.
Flowering period
Anthurium blooms almost all year round. During the cold winter months, of course, it is dormant. Proper care ensures that buds begin to form even in early spring. The flowering period lasts several months. Cut flowers can last up to a month in a bloomed state.
It is worth noting once again that the plant is finicky. It is quite difficult to get it to bloom. But if you create favorable conditions for it and properly care for it, it will bloom with the most beautiful buds.
Why doesn't anthurium bloom at home? The problem may be in the soil, which is depleted in minerals and organic matter. In order to enrich it, special feeding is required in the form of additives and vitamins.
Flowering can be prevented by poor watering. Therefore, you should make sure that the water for it is filtered and settled. It was also at room temperature. There should be no impurities in the water. You should not water the anthurium with stagnant water.
You can increase the chances of flowering by covering the soil with a layer of sphagnum moss. This will prevent the soil from drying out on hot days. Do not expose the plant to direct light. If it is in the sun, it should be shaded. To do this, it is placed in partial shade or tulle is used as a barrier to light.
In winter, the plant needs intense lighting as well as in summer. In case of insufficient light, artificial sources must be used to increase daylight hours.
The flower does not like frequent rearrangements from place to place. This should be done no more than twice a year. It is advisable to choose spring and autumn for rearrangement.
When flowering begins, the anthurium should be placed in a dark place, avoiding direct rays. When it has bloomed, the frequency of watering is increased. Spraying also needs to be done quite often. A spray bottle is suitable for this.
The flower, which is commonly called “Male Happiness,” is a plant amazing in its qualities and aesthetics. Anthurium forms beautiful buds that look picturesque. But achieving flowering is not so easy; optimal conditions and proper care are needed. It takes a lot of time, so before you buy a flower, you should think about whether you want to spend your time and energy on growing anthurium.
Mr. Summer resident informs: anthurium is a man’s happiness
According to legend, anthurium is a flower that protects a young family. It is given as a wedding gift, reminding the man that he is the protector of the family.
If the anthurium begins to bloom, this indicates the onset of a favorable period for the family. It is a must have for very emotional couples; it takes away negative energy and brings reconciliation into the home.
The plant also helps melancholic, nervous people. It is given to women who want to get married.
For families, spathiphyllum is purchased in conjunction with anthurium. This flower is called female happiness, together with male happiness - anthurium, they ensure harmony.
What are the difficulties when growing and maintaining anthurium?
Diseases of the root system can lead to withering and death of the plant. This can also happen if there is hardened soil in the pot. In these cases, transplantation helps, which is preferably done once a year. To do this, with extreme care, the anthurium is removed from the container and planted in a new one, with soil and the addition of bark, moss and charcoal. After that, the dried leaves are removed and the trunk is sprayed with water. During the period after transplantation, it is worth feeding the plant with fertilizers based on mineral elements, as well as vitamins.
The wilting process can be caused by a lack of sufficient heat. In addition, the plant begins to wither in the presence of a disease such as fusarium. The process can also be caused by excess moisture in the soil, infections that occur through contact with pets or the gardener’s dirty hands.
Flower growers cannot help but make mistakes when growing such a whimsical plant as anthurium. But in order to avoid them and minimize them, it is worth knowing the basic rules for caring for it. Poor growth and development of the bush can be caused by a lack of lighting and watering. If this happens, then you need to feed the flower for better growth.
Fortunately, the flower is extremely rarely susceptible to disease. Diseases and pests in anthurium can occur due to improper care. Yellow leaves appear due to lack of sunlight. When the foliage darkens and begins to rot, this indicates that the room is not warm enough. The main pests of anthurium are aphids and scale insects. Failure to wipe the leaves can lead to spider mites.
Brief instructions for the care and maintenance of anthurium
| Temperature | Summer period – +20.. 28, winter period – +15.. 20 degrees Celsius |
| Humidity | The plant loves high humidity; foliage needs to be sprayed |
| Illumination | The flower is thermophilic, but does not like too bright light; direct sunlight is harmful to the leaves. |
| Landing | Soil made from wood humus, moss and coal |
| Reproduction | Cuttings, leaves, seeds |
| Watering | The plant loves plenty of moisture, but you should avoid stagnation of moisture in the soil. |
| Top dressing | Mineral and organic solutions |
| Pests | Aphids, scale insects, spider mites |
