Anthurium Andre: a botanical description of the plant
The genus Anthurium belongs to the large Aroid family, and is widely used in indoor floriculture. Its popularity began to grow back in the 70s of the last century, and since then these exotic plants are increasingly seen in homes. The main advantage is the abundant and magnificent flowering; and the leaves of a rich green color look very decorative.
Anthurium Andre is a herbaceous and evergreen perennial, which grows up to 1 meter in height when favorable conditions are created, although at home its height usually does not exceed 70 cm.Like orchids, this plant belongs to epiphytes, that is, it lives on tree trunks and has aerial roots for nutrition. But in the soil, "Man's Happiness" also feels good. The birthplace of Anthurium Andre is the hot and humid jungle of South America. Its main natural habitat is tropical forests on the slopes of the mountains of Colombia and Ecuador.
Anthurium André leaves have a glossy surface, shiny in the sun and a dark green color. Their length is 30 cm, and their width is 12 cm. The leaves are located on long petioles, which are almost at right angles to the leaf blade.
Flowers of yellow color are collected in one large ear, which is surrounded by a veil. This is the name of the leaf, which is a bract. Due to its bright color, many mistakenly believe that this is the Anthurium flower, which is not true. It is thanks to these bedspreads in the shape of a kind of heart, which differ in color in different varieties, that "Man's Happiness" won the love of flower growers around the world.
Diseases and pests
- Fans of Andre's anthurium may face the following problems:
- Leaves curl - too much light.
- Black specks on flowers - ingress of water droplets.
- Stalks rot, fungal infection or dark spots on the leaves - excess water.
- Leaves dry up and become thin - dry air.
- The leaves are shallow and there is no flowering - little light or fertilizer.
- The flower can be attacked by:
- Aphid
- Spider mite
- Root nematode
- Mealybug
Cope with annoying insects will help folk remedies or insecticides. The first measure for suspected infection is bathing in the shower with laundry soap.
As you can see, Anthurium Andre is the perfect green pet for lovers of bright, catchy, but at the same time elegant plants. Give him a little attention and a magnificent flower will live in your house for a long time.
Anthurium Andre: description of varieties
The vibrant beauty of the South American plant has long attracted the attention of breeder botanists. As a result of their work, interesting hybrid varieties with different color of bedspreads and characteristics of leaves appeared. Such flowers will take their rightful place in every home. It remains only to choose Anthurium Andre from the whole variety of varieties.
Anthurium by Andre Leganza
The Leganza variety is distinguished by a delicate color of the bracts of pink and light green with a spectacular gradient transition. Oval-shaped leaves are pointed at the tips. The bush itself looks lush, and from the voluminous greenery, yellow or orange bump flowers, framed by a blanket, rise.
Anthurium by Andre Leganza
Anthurium Andre Champion
The champion has beautiful, bright green foliage of large size.There are two sub-varieties that differ from each other in the color of the bedspread. Pink has it pink, while White has white with a slight yellowish tinge.
Anthurium Andre Champion
Adrios ed
Judging by the name, it is easy to guess that Anthurium Andre Adrios Red has red bracts, almost crimson. The leaves are large, rounded. The shade of the bedspread in different conditions may differ in the degree of saturation.
Adrios ed
Anthurium Andre mix
On sale you can often see Anthurium Andre Mix - hybrids of varieties that have very different colors. All of them are the result of purposeful crossing of plants for growing at home, therefore, they are very unpretentious with excellent decorative properties. For example, Scherzer's Anthurium Mix has an original ear in the form of a spiral and is almost dwarf in size.
Anthurium Andre mix
Anthurium André Otazu
Draws on the bedspreads in dark red. It contrasts with a bright yellow inflorescence and green leaves, slightly pointed at the edges. Therefore, the plant looks very impressive and will decorate any interior.
Anthurium André Otazu
Anthurium Andre Silens
Another "gentle grade". Has light green leaves and white or creamy bracts. With excessive lighting, they can acquire a light light green tone. The bedspread stands out against the dark green leaves.
Anthurium Andre Silens
Anthurium Andre Belize
Initially, it was this variety that received the second name "Male happiness", and then other varieties of Anthurium Andre began to be called this popular name. It is customary to give this plant to single men so that they can find their life partner in the near future. Belize has a dark red veil, sometimes bordered by a green stripe. The inflorescence itself is yellow.
Anthurium Andre Belize
Anthurium Andre Favorite
A large plant, often reaching a height of 90 cm. Its bracts are colored pink in various shades, and sometimes there is a salmon blanket. The ear itself is purple.
This is not the whole list of Andre Anthurium varieties. There are other, no less spectacular plants, the color of which surprises the imagination. For example, "Black Queen" has a dark brown, almost black veil, while "Fiorino" has a purple bracts.
Anthurium Andre Favorite
Anthurium Andre: features of home care
The richness of the leaves and the beauty of flowering depend on whether the Anthurium was properly cared for. In favorable conditions, it pleases the eye for almost the entire year; while in the absence of care, the flowering period is a month or not at all. The main thing to remember about what kind of species it is and what conditions were natural for the distant ancestors of Anthurium from South America.
Soil and pot
Anthuriums are semi-epiphytes, so they have a large volume of aerial roots with which they absorb nutrients. The soil for them should have a loose structure that will provide good aeration. You can buy ready-made soil for orchids or bromeliads at a flower shop.
How to transplant Anthurium Andre (video)
The "recipe" for self-prepared Anthurium André soil looks like this:
- leaf land - 2 parts;
- coniferous - 2 parts;
- peat - 2 parts;
- chopped pine bark - 2 parts;
- coarse sand - 1 part;
- vermiculite - 1 part.
Florists recommend adding a little coconut fiber or ordinary charcoal to such a substrate. Sphagnum can be placed on top of the soil, which will maintain a suitable air humidity around the plant.
The volume of the pot should not be excessive - it is better to take a small dish, but in which there will be enough space for the root system of Anthurium. A large drainage layer is required - at least 1 cm. To supply the required amount of air to the roots, small holes can be made in the walls of the pot.This will benefit the development of the plant.
The soil for Anthurium Andre must have a loose structure that will provide good aeration.
Shine
In the wild, Anthuriums choose the lower tiers of the jungle, so they prefer diffused light. Better to put a pot with this flower on the west or east window. Northeast or northwest will also work. But on the south window, the lighting will be excessive. If it turns out that Anthurium Andre grows in the north side of the house or does not receive enough sunlight during the winter months, artificial lighting will need to be created. For example, using a phytolamp.
Temperature and humidity
Anthurium Andre feels great at the usual room temperature. But if it drops below 18 ° C, then the growth and development of the plant stops. The exception is the winter time, when it is better to put the pot in a cool place. The optimum temperature for planting buds and stimulating flowering is around 15 ° C.
Anthurium Andre feels great at the usual room temperature
Being a guest from tropical forests, Anthuriums need high air humidity. It is better that its indicator is in the region of the 85-90% mark. To do this, you can use a humidifier or a tray filled with water and placed next to the pot. The plant responds well to spraying from a spray bottle, which in the hot season are recommended to be carried out twice a day, and the rest of the time - once every 1-2 days. Water for such procedures should be soft and warm.
Watering and feeding
Anthurium needs abundant watering, especially during the period of active growth or flowering. But the top layer of soil must have time to dry out. It is important not to allow the clod of earth to completely dry out., because it will have a detrimental effect on the plant. Untreated tap water is not suitable for irrigation because its quality is usually poor. To soften it, you will need not only settling, but also boiling or adding acid: citric or acetic. For feeding, fertilizer for orchids is used.
Anthurium needs abundant watering, especially during the period of active growth or flowering
Reproduction
Anthurium Andre reproduces by lateral offspring, dividing an overgrown bush, apical cuttings and seeds - a rather laborious method and not particularly loved by flower growers. Sowing is required 3-5 days after collecting the seed, which can be obtained by pollinating the flowers with a brush in the first days of flowering. Then you should wait for the formation and ripening of the berries that are formed on the cob. Crops are recommended to be kept at a temperature of + 22 ° C. The emergence of seedlings occurs within two weeks. After 1.5 months, seedlings in the phase of a true leaf require a pick. With the appearance of 5-6 leaves, young plants can be planted in separate pots. Anthuriums grown from seeds will please with flowering only in the third year.
The easiest way is to reproduce by lateral processes. This procedure is often performed during transplantation. Division is required to be done with a knife with a sharp blade, and the places of the cuts must be powdered with crushed coal. After planting, the young anthurium must be watered. A piece of the stem with an air root and leaf takes root quickly enough.
Planting the plant is required in small containers with a good drainage layer (1/4 of the volume of the planting container). It is recommended to make small holes in the walls of the pot for air flow.
Challenges in cultivating male happiness
Although Anthurium Andre feels good in a room environment, sometimes problems can arise. They are manifested primarily by a deterioration in the appearance of the plant:
- If the leaves begin to dry out, then you need to check if pests have appeared on the plant. For example, aphids feed on its vital juices. If they are not found, it means that Anthurium simply lacks moisture and it is necessary to increase watering and spraying.
- If the leaves turn black, this is a symptom of excess moisture and, as a result, the appearance of rot in the roots. It is necessary to transplant the plant, removing the damaged roots, and adjust the watering.
- Yellow leaves can be a sign of a lack of light, and the pot just needs to be rearranged to a more suitable location. Another reason is a lack of nitrogen, moisture, or hard water for irrigation.
- For brown-yellow spots, Anthurium should be sprayed with a solution of foundationol at a concentration of 0.2% or 0.5% copper oxychloride. Sometimes this happens when the flower is hypothermic.
- Sometimes the edges of the leaves of the plant begin to dry, which is caused by a disease - anthracnose. It is treated with fungicides. If measures are not taken in time, the plant may die.
- If Anthurium does not want to bloom, it is possible that suitable conditions have not been created for it. A common cause is lack of nutrients. To stimulate bud formation, you can move it into the pot in a place with a temperature of about 16 ° C.
