Anthurium is an unusually beautiful tropical plant, native to the tropical regions of South and Central America, which prefers special conditions of care and maintenance. Because of their capricious disposition, not all beginner growers manage to achieve its full development and admire the charming flowers. For some, anthurium stubbornly does not want to bloom. For this wonderful period to come, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the individual characteristics of an exotic culture and be patient.
There are about 800 different species and varieties in the family of this flowering plant. Anthurium is considered the most popular in indoor floriculture. Scherzer, Andre and Khrustalny. All varieties attract the eye with their original in shape and color flowers and large leaves of different shades. With proper care, anthurium blooms continue for several months. And its beautiful flowers are used for making bouquets and various flower arrangements, as they are able to maintain their decorative qualities for a month after cutting.
Features of growing anthurium
In natural conditions, anthurium grows in the form of a liana and as a land plant. The culture prefers bright, diffused lighting that is protected from direct sunlight. The soil in the flower container should be well water and air permeable, be light and loose, it should contain all the necessary and useful nutrients. Future full bloom depends on the temperature conditions under which flower buds are formed. The air temperature in the room should not fall below 18-20 degrees Celsius. To maintain high humidity in the room, which tropical anthurium loves very much, it is necessary to regularly sprinkle and wipe the leaves with a damp sponge.
It is necessary to grow the plant in plastic flower pots, since this material, unlike ceramics, maintains the soil temperature approximately equal to the air temperature, and this is very important for the growth and development of anthurium.
Details about caring for anthurium
Conditions for flowering anthurium
Anthurium begins to bloom approximately 2 years after planting the seeds and only when conditions are close to natural.
Temperature
A favorable temperature range for the timely flowering of anthurium is 22-24 degrees Celsius. It is necessary to protect the flower from cold airings and even more from drafts.
Watering
Anthurium prefers high humidity. For this, daily water procedures are recommended in the form of spraying with warm water. It is important that water does not fall on the leaflets, as this will negatively affect their appearance. Watering should be carried out only after a slight drying of the top layer of the soil. Drying of the earthen coma and its excessive flooding are unacceptable and dangerous for the flower.
The soil
For epiphytic plants, which include anthurium, you can purchase a substrate recommended for azaleas or begonias.It should contain the following elements: sphagnum moss, perlite, crushed pine bark, peat. Experienced flower growers advise to prepare the soil mixture on their own, mixing 2 parts of leaf and coniferous soil, peat, 1 part of river sand and a small amount of charcoal and pine bark. When planting, the bottom of the flower pot is covered with a drainage layer at least 3-5 cm thick.
Florists who prefer bold experiments grow anthurium on sphagnum moss.
Fertilizers
Complex mineral fertilizers or special nutritional mixtures (for example, "Ideal") are recommended to be applied regularly every 4 weeks.
