Anthurium: the perfect plant for every gift

Main feautures

Coming from the warm and humid areas of America, Anthurium is an elegant and decorative apartment plan, which is why it is used both in homes and offices. The interest for this species is due to the presence of evolutionary leaves over time that have become flamboyant and highly sought after floral inflorescences. They do not constitute the real flowers that reside on the spadice, an erect part of white or tenderness to ivory. At the top of this, under certain conditions, small flowers emerge, and they will then produce small berries containing the seeds.

The foliage is characterized by intense green coloration and a shiny surface, so it is good to keep it clean from the dust by gently passing it with a damp cloth. The leaves are cordiform or lanceolate depending on the species, likewise their size may vary and can also reach very large sizes. Anthurium is named after the colorful brattea that accompanies the spadice. The shade of this mutated leaf may be red, pink, orange, or yellow or white. In periods not intended for flowering, this plant still manifests the beauty and harmony of the stems and leaves creating a lively bush of 40-50 cm in diameter.

Cultivation methods

As Anthurium is a plant native to warm climates, it is necessary to grow it inside during the cold period by taking it outdoors only in the hot months. Cultivation is fairly simple provided some basic requirements are met. Usually Anthurium is housed in a pot but the location depends on temperature, light and humidity. You have to choose a place that has a steady and warm climate, never below 10 ° C, otherwise it could affect growth and bloom. There must be no air currents and a slightly humid area is preferable to a dry environment. As far as exposure is concerned, this plant does not like direct sunlight, so it is best to choose a place in a shade or shade where it can still receive the right amount of sunlight to keep the colors bright and vibrant.

A newly purchased plant does not need to be replenished for many years, although it is always advisable to replace poor soil every 2 or 3 years with the new slightly acidic soil, very light, porous but draining. Fertilization is useful to give vine to the foliage and stimulate the growth of the new one, it should be done every 10/15 days throughout the months since the Anthurium does not go into vegetative rest. Irrigation, finally, must be frequent in the hot period; if necessary, some millimeters of water can be left in the undercounter, preventing the soil from drizzling. However, In the winter they must be thinned without letting the substrate dry.

Diseases and cures

Anthurium is a tensely resistant plant that does not suffer from particular problems, but may be subject to aphids and root rot. In the case of insects we must take prompt action with a special spray to prevent it from removing sap and energy to the leaves and flowers, or they can be manually removed by rubbing with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Regarding rotting, it is good to be moderate in the irrigation that can cause the plant to die, though this will affect moisture. To mitigate this problem, a drainage layer can be provided at the bottom of the vessel. For dust on the leaves, just remove it with a cloth, avoid using polishing spray.

Curiosities

In nature there are over 500 species of Anthurium, but those commercially distributed are counted on the fingers of a hand. According to tradition, Valentine’s Day is given to his partner because the inflorescences would represent the arrows of Cupid. The plant would also be a love message due to the shape of the leaves and the red color, which makes it a great gift even during the Christmas period.