Walking past flower shops, you can often see a magnificent plant that at first glance seems artificial. Looking closer, you understand that in front of you is a flower of extraordinary beauty and its name is Scherzer's anthurium. It is about this plant that I want to tell.
Natural habitat
Anthurium is native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. It is most common in Guatemala and Costa Rica. Moist tropical forests contribute to the favorable development of anthurium, and under these conditions it reaches a height of up to 1 meter. The thickets of this plant in natural conditions are simply breathtaking.
Today, anthurium flowers are used for cutting, while they stand in compositions for up to 5 weeks. And various varieties, such as Anthurium Andre, are used today as a design for offices and apartments.
This beauty, unfortunately, is not suitable for home conditions, but a certain variety has been bred for this - Scherzer's Anthurium. Anthurium belongs to the Aroid family and is considered poisonous in nature. Therefore, inat home, it is desirable to keep it in a place where neither children nor animals can reach it. This is especially true for cats, who often try to taste all the plants we love.
Description
All anthuriums are perennials. The beauty of this flower lies in its unusual inflorescences, which are located high from the leaves. This is not an ordinary flower that everyone is used to, it is a bright coverlet with an inflorescence in the form of an ear. The color of the bedspread can vary from white to almost black, but the most common color is red.
The Scherzer Anthurium flower differs from other varieties in its miniature size and reaches a height of only 30 centimeters. Its main difference is an unusual cob, twisted into a spiral. Interestingly, it is from the type of flower that the name came from (from Latin anthos means "flower", and oura is translated as "tail"; as a result, the flower is called flowertail, or "flamingo flower").
It is noteworthy that up to 8 flowers bloom on the plant, and they last for several months. Not only are the flowers attractive in this plant, Scherzer's Anthurium has magnificent leaves: leathery, elongated and dark green in color. Anthurium retains its decorative effect all year round.
Growing at home
Let's remind ourselves that anthurium is a representative of the tropics, which means that it needs diffused light. Put a flowerin a well-lit room, but not in direct sunlight. You might think that shade is suitable for growing it, but then you will get beautiful green leaves. Unfortunately, Scherzer's Anthurium will not bloom under these conditions.
The temperature regime for optimal conditions is easy to create. In summer it is up to 25 degrees, and in winter it is not lower than 16. At the same time, you need to remember that the plant does not like sudden changes in temperature, drafts and directional cold air.
Humidity is very high in the tropics, so spraying water without chlorine and lime will be required for good he alth of the anthurium. You can put a vessel with liquid next to the pot. In no case do not fill the flower, it is better to underfill than overfill. This rule applies to all plants.
When the flower has faded, it is partially removed, up to half of the peduncle. And when it finally dries, you can carefully remove it from the sinus of the leaf. Interestingly, anthurium begins to bloom only when the root system completely fills the pot. So do not plant your pets in very large containers and when transplanting, take a pot 1 centimeter larger than the previous one.
Interesting hybrid
Anthurium Scherzer mix is a compact plant in the family of its fellows. Differs in its miniature, the height of the mix is not more than 20 centimeters. This is a hybrid created from the two most common varieties of anthurium. Since these are plant breeders, they are adapted to indoor conditions and do not require much care.
Due to their compact size, mixes can be placed on an east or west window. And also put next to not one flower, but several plants at once. A variety of colors from pure white to bright red will decorate any room.
After such an acquisition, your guests will definitely ask: "What are these wonderful flowers on your window?" And in response they will hear: "Anthurium Scherzer mix." Care at home does not cause much trouble, and beauty is preserved all year round. The conditions for keeping these hybrids are the same as for all anthuriums.
Anthurium breeding
Let's talk about the reproduction of Scherzer's Anthurium, because you will definitely want to give someone the same flower. Or the flower has grown and needs a transplant.
You can propagate the Scherzer Anthurium flower in several ways: seeds, cuttings and lateral processes. We will not stop at seed reproduction. This process is very laborious, and flowering can be expected in no less than 4 years.
The most effective way of reproduction is the division of the bush, or cuttings. It is carried out by dividing an adult plant into separate cuttings. It is best to carry out this procedure in the spring. Remove the plant from the pot and carefully separate the young sprouts with roots. Since Anthurium grows in the tropics, it needs very loose soil. In this case, the substrate for orchids is suitable. The roots of the plant are hollow and easily damaged, so inspect young cuttings for damage or disease. Remove any damagedroots and plant carefully in a new pot.
One small caveat: do not take a very large pot. The plant develops best in a small pot, when the roots completely wrap around the earthen ball. After planting, cover young plants with a film or bag. This will give them good humidity and natural conditions.
Reviews from happy owners
Anthurium Scherzer, the care of which is not difficult for flower growers, causes a huge number of enthusiastic statements. Many speak of the flower as unpretentious, blooming throughout the year. Others are attracted by its elegance, and they enthusiastically speak of the exotic they have acquired, although they add that it requires creating conditions close to natural conditions. High humidity and sufficient lighting can create some difficulties.
There are a lot of varieties of the Scherzer variety, and all of them are attractive in their own way. There are variegated varieties, speckled, with a huge cob, twisted in the form of a spiral with several curls. All of them are very beautiful. Buy them and you will never regret. They will delight your eyes for more than one year.
