Anthurium – care & reproduction of the flamingo flower

As a tropical inhabitant, the anthurium makes certain demands on its location. For example, plants that live in the shade cannot tolerate direct sunlight at all. But even dry heating air and drafts only bother her unnecessarily and ensure that the flamingo flower visibly cares. The discoloration of the leaves is an indication that a new location for the plant may need to be found. The ideal room temperature for the anthurium is between 18-25 ° C.

But even as a tropical plant, the anthurium is not suitable for the garden or terrace, even in the warm summer months. It can only withstand temperatures of 13 ° C and below for a short time, and the risk outdoors is much higher that the flamingo flower will be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time.

Soil conditions Well-
drained and moist, this is what the anthurium likes best. In order to meet these requirements, a permeable substrate is suitable, such as special soil for orchids available in specialist shops. But universal soil mixed with small styrofoam balls has also proven its worth on the flamingo flower. Even the old trick of putting potsherds in the bottom of the flower pot and then covering them with plant substrate is very useful as a prevention against waterlogging.

pour

Anthuriums can’t stand it when they are simply forgotten. The plant from the rainforest needs a moist root ball all year round. If the right plant substrate has been chosen, it will store moisture over a longer period of time and at the same time prevent waterlogging.

At the same time, the tropical inhabitant loves high humidity, for this reason the leaves of the plant are sprayed more often with lime-free water. If you have the option, you should use rainwater.

The right fertilizer for tropical beauty

In the growth phase, which occurs roughly between April and September, the plant needs a small amount of liquid fertilizer about every two weeks. In winter, this artificial supply of nutrients is expanded to 1x within two months.

The use of coffee grounds and crushed eggshells is also suitable as a natural fertilizer. If this type of fertilization is used, the components must be mixed well under the potting soil to prevent the formation of mold.

Which cut is suitable for the anthurium

Dead flowers and leaves of the flamingo plant are cut off just above the ground with a sharp knife or scissors. Any other cutout or even thinning is not required. Because the plant neither forms offshoots nor is it known for a particular height. Well-groomed, older anthuriums become bushy, increase massively in size and reach a maximum height of around 100 centimeters.

What to consider when repotting

With the right care and optimal site conditions, the growth of the flamingo flower will sooner or later require a larger planter. This point in time is reached at the latest when the roots of the tropical beauty already protrude from the flower pot. Repotting itself is not difficult and can be done within a few minutes:

• The ideal time to repot is spring.
• Carefully knead the flower pot so that the roots loosen.
• In the case of clay pots, cut carefully around the edge with a sharp knife.
• To avoid damage, the plant must be gripped as far down as possible with one hand.
• The new, larger flower pot must be ready to hand and partially filled with prepared substrate.
• As far as possible, the roots are freed of old earth residues.
• Insert the anthurium in the new planter and completely fill the root ball with substrate or potting soil and then carefully press it on.
• Water generously.

If the plant remains in a plant pot that is too small for a long time, an insufficient supply of nutrients can occur. This is most likely to be noticeable in the form of blotchy, withered leaves and the dying off of the flowers.

Multiply

The bushy growing plant can easily be propagated by dividing it. This step should be done in spring and preferably with older anthurium plants.

• The anthurium is carefully lifted out of the flower pot. Ideally, this step should be done before the plant is repotted.
• The root ball is carefully cut into different pieces by hand or with a sharp knife.
• The rhizome and fiber roots should be evenly present in the individual sections.
• The divided plants do not require any special care and can be planted according to the requirements of the anthurium.

On the other hand, propagation by cuttings is a game of patience:

• For this, shoots are selected that have small nodes, which are roots.
• The shoots are carefully cut off with a sharp knife.
• Place the cuttings in a water glass in a bright place.
• A constant room temperature of around 20-25 ° C is ideal for the formation of roots.
• Several weeks can pass before the first fine roots appear. However, it is important to note that the cuttings can only be planted after the formation of firm, strong roots.
• Roots that are too short and fine are not able to supply the young plant with sufficient water and nutrients in a plant substrate.

Overwinter

Hardly anyone will seriously think about the right type of wintering for indoor plants. In order to stimulate flower formation, however, a few tips are recommended during the cold winter months:

• Only water the plant when the top layer of soil has dried out.
• Only fertilize moderately in winter: the supply of fertilizers is completely sufficient every two months.
• A rest period of around 5 – 7 weeks at a temperature of around 15 ° C should be observed.

Even in winter, the anthurium must not be exposed to direct sunlight. A bright location and far enough away from all heating systems is much more digestible for the plant.

Possible care mistakes of the anthurium

As fascinating as the bracts of the Anthurium species may be, the requirements of tropical beauty must be met for the plant to grow optimally. Discoloration and withered leaves can have a variety of causes and are not always due to pest or disease infestation. The same applies to the shedding of the bracts and the moderate to no formation of flowers.

• Anthuriums do not like direct sunlight, but still need a bright location. If this is missing, the plant does not develop any or only very limited flowers. Long, chunky leaves are also an indication that the location needs to be changed.
• Dry spots on the leaves indicate a lack of moisture. The flamingo flower has to be watered more often and the leaves of the plant sprayed with lime-free water.
• When the leaves are rolled up, the anthurium receives too much sunlight. A change of location is also advisable here.
• Yellow tips of the leaves indicate coolness and moisture.
• Applying too many fertilizers can also lead to leaf discoloration. If the potting soil or substrate has enough of its own nutrients, the fertilizer interval can be extended. There is no general guideline, you should keep an eye on the condition of the anthurium.

Diseases and pests

Parasites and diseases do not stop at the tropical inhabitant with her fascinating flowers. Incorrect care promotes infestation and, in the worst case, can lead to the plant’s death.

• Despite the requirements of the flamingo flower for a certain amount of constant and high soil and air humidity, the anthurium can gain little from waterlogging. Incorrect watering behavior or an impermeable plant substrate unnecessarily expose the roots to excessive amounts of water. This leads to root rot, which cannot be treated. As a possible measure, the first step would be to remove decaying and slimy roots, as well as moving the anthurium immediately into dry plant substrate. However, success with this treatment is not always guaranteed.
• Scale insects feed on the sap of the anthurium and their excretion can encourage additional infestation with the fungal disease “sooty mildew”. Because of their small size and color, the pests are well camouflaged and are usually noticed too late. The discoloration and crippling of leaves and flowers indicate a large pest population and must be treated immediately. In order to prevent the scale insects from spreading, the infected plant is first placed in quarantine. The parasites are stubborn and only predators such as parasitic wasps and predatory beetles are suitable for natural control. If you don’t want to visit other insects, you have to resort to chemical poison in the form of sticks and sprays.
• A color of the leaves from gray-green to copper-brown and green to yellow indicates an infestation with red spiders. On closer inspection, one notices the delicate web that covers the infected regions of the Anthurium. The parasite itself cannot be seen without a microscope, as the red spider only reaches an average size of 0.6 mm. Unlike their larger relatives, the insect damages the plant and should be removed immediately. This is usually done with crop protection sprays and special insecticides that are added to the irrigation water. Washing and rinsing the infested leaves will also help, but is the only measure that is not effective in a large population of red spiders.

Conclusion
Despite their tropical origins, anthuriums are relatively easy to care for and easy to cultivate within your own four walls. If the requirements for the location, the room temperature and the watering are met, the flamingo flower delights the viewer almost all year round with its fascinating bracts, which are often colloquially referred to as blossoms.