Anthurium Care
Melody Webster
Anthuriums, also known as Flamingo flowers and pigtail
plants, are tropical plants that can be grown as houseplants. They produce
very beautiful flowers that last up to eight weeks, and even when not
flowering, they work well as foilage plants. To learn how to take care
of your anthurium, read on.
Soil
Anthuriums should be potted in a
soil that is coarse and well-drained. Use a peat moss base. A 1:1:1 mixture
of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite works well. The root system should
be allowed to fill the pot before the plant
is transplanted.
Light
These plants do well in high light,
but not direct sunlight. In order to bloom well, they should not have
light levels that are too low. This will halt flower production.
Water
Water your anthurium thoroughly,
but allow it to dry slightly between waterings. Over-watering causes root
damage and yellowing of the leaves. If the plant becomes too dry it may
have tip burn and root damage, but the soil should be dry to the touch
before watering again. This procedure will also prevent the appearance
of gnats.
Fertilizer
If you want to fertilize your anthurium,
use a very light solution with a high phosphorous content. Phosphorous
is the middle number in the fertilizer analysis. A high amount of this
will promote blooming of the anthurium. Fertilize
your plant about every other month.
Problems
Common problems with anthuriums include
aphids, scales, mealybugs, thrips, and gnats. To avoid these bugs, do
not allow the plant to stay wet, and if they do appear, wiping the foilage
often and spraying gently with water is one treatment. If that does not
work, pesticides may be used, but always be sure to follow the directions
on the label. A disease that sometimes affects anthuriums is RHIZOCTINIA.
This is caused by high temperatures and humidity in the presence of poorly
drained soil. To prevent this, do not overwater and use well-drained soil.
RHIZOCTINIA can be controlled with fungicides. To prevent problems, it
is also a good idea to remove dead foilage from your
plant often, and remove any faded or brown flowers.
Sources