Under natural conditions, this plant grows in America (Central and South), it is known there under the name "flamingo" or "fiery tongue". In Russia, this flower is called "male happiness", and many believe that if it grows well with proper care, then there will be peace and happiness in the house.
The scientific name of the flower is Anthurium. This plant has an unusual appearance: it seems to be covered with wax and usually blooms with a bright red heart (there are other colors).
The article provides information about the rules for growing anthurium at home, about the features of caring for it, etc.
Locations in nature
Anthurium (Anthurium) is an epiphytic plant from the aroid family. The variety of its species is so great that even flowers belonging to the genus of lianas are found in nature. The homeland of the plant is the tropics and subtropics of America.
The plant grows in the jungle and equatorial forests, stretching from Mexico to southernBrazil and Paraguay. Unlike the indoor decorative counterpart, the wild one is not at all whimsical and can grow almost everywhere, up to the roofs of houses, telegraph poles and tree trunks. And this is not at all surprising, because the soil for this plant is not so important, since it receives nutrition and moisture through its own leaves. In total, there are about 900 species of anthurium in the wild.
About the name
The name comes from the Greek words anthos and oura, which are translated as "flower" and "tail". Such a name has taken root due to the peculiar structure of plants: they are shrouded in bright leaves-bedspreads, the colors of which are quite diverse.
And in fact, in almost all species of plants of this genus, flowers are similar in shape to a curved or straight tail of a white or colored color. Anthurium is unusual and beautiful.
Description
Dark green matte leaves of the plant can have various shapes: heart-shaped, elongated, broadly lanceolate, whole, dissected. Leaf blades have the ability to turn to the sunny side.
Exotic inflorescence - the main decoration, which can have shades from snow-white to burgundy. There are also black ones.
It should be noted that different varieties have their own aroma. It can be both gentle and slightly perceptible, and quite sharp and saturated. It depends on the pollinating insects found in the places of growth of a certain type of anthurium.
At home from 900 plant speciesgrow only a small part.
Views
All varieties of anthurium are conditionally divided into 3 types: flowering, variegated and green-leaved. In indoor floriculture, the following plant varieties are the most popular and common:
- André and Scherzera and their hybrids are beautiful flowering.
- Crystal, majestic and their hybrids - variegated, distinguished by decorative foliage.
- Hooker and ampelous climbing - green-leaved, characterized by unpretentiousness.
In any case, you can not ignore the flower anthurium. Caring for it requires some effort and patience. You should try to please him in order to preserve his unique decorative effect. Most varieties can only grow in greenhouse conditions, it is difficult to grow them in apartments.
The following is a summary of the most common varieties.
- Andre - reaches a length of 100 cm. The leaves of the flower are large, the size of the peduncle is 15 cm, and the glossy heart-shaped veil grows up to 20 cm.
- Scherzer is the most common type. It is slightly smaller in size (height up to 40 cm). Leathery matte leaves of a dark green hue are covered with dots on both sides. In size, the peduncle reaches a length of about 30 cm. The spathe is red-orange, the spadix is yellow or orange.
- Crystal and majestic anthuriums are similar to each other. Their large velvety leaves are dark green with white veins. These plants differ in the section of the leaf petiole:the crystal one is round, while the majestic one is quadrangular.
Also climbing and other types of Anthurium flower are used for landscaping. Care for each of them requires special attention.
Growing conditions
For the comfortable growth of a plant, it is necessary to observe certain conditions, in particular, take care of air humidity, light and heat. If you bring the conditions for the existence of anthurium closer to natural, then the plant will delight with abundant flowering for a long time (from early spring to autumn):
- Lighting. The plant loves bright, but slightly diffused light. The direct rays of the sun can cause burns on the leaves, so the best place for it is the western and eastern windows in the house. When placed on the south side, pots should be located away from windows or diffuse lighting. The plant can grow in a dark place, but it will not bloom. For year-round flowering for anthurium, artificial lighting can be arranged in winter.
- Temperature regime. The anthurium flower is a tropical resident, so the air in the room should have a temperature of + 23-28 degrees. In autumn and winter, temperatures can drop to +16-18 degrees. There are species that require the creation of cooler conditions to ensure a dormant period (2-3 months). It is important to remember that any kind of anthurium painfully endures drafts and sudden changes in temperature.
- Humidity level. It should be around 90%. Otherwise, the anthurium will grow slowly and will not bloom. Need from the leavesremove dust with a damp sponge, and in the summer it is advisable to spray them with settled warm water. It should be remembered that water should not be splashed on the inflorescences, otherwise spots may appear on them, after which they will fall off.
Soil
The soil should consist of humus, coarse leafy soil (not sifted), sand and peat. Pieces of broken brick, moss, cones and charcoal should also be added to the substrate.
It should be remembered that the amount of coarse fraction should be up to 15% of the total volume of the entire mixture. This is necessary to increase water and air permeability. The soil mixture should have a weak acidity (pH - 5.5-6.5).
Irrigation
And you need to approach the watering of the anthurium flower wisely. Dry or waterlogged soil can be detrimental to the plant, which can lead to the development of serious diseases. For irrigation, it is better to use warm soft water, you can also use rainwater. Lime should not be allowed in the water, which can deoxidize the soil.
In the warm season, watering should be done 2-3 times a week, and in the cold season, once is enough.
Excess water from the pan must be drained immediately.
Fertilizer
Periodic plant nutrition is very beneficial. To do this, the norm of mineral fertilizers indicated in the instructions must be diluted in half and applied to the soil in the warm season twice a month. When using the foliar method, the frequency of feedingcan be increased up to 3-4 times a month.
In autumn, top dressing with organic fertilizers is useful: solutions of mullein or bird droppings, leaf humus, rotted manure.
Transfer
Anthurium flower transplant ("male happiness") is best done immediately after purchase. You need to use a pot made of glass and plastic, but a clay container is not very suitable due to the fact that the roots of this plant grow into its walls. A drainage layer should be laid at the bottom and covered with fertile soil. The latter can be either ready-made orchid soil or a mixture consisting of peat, leaf and coniferous soil, as well as sand. In addition, charcoal with coniferous bark must be added to it.
It is very important when transplanting a plant not to damage fragile roots, and rotten and injured parts of the roots should also be removed. After that, they must be sprayed with a solution of Fitolavin and only then planted in a prepared container.
Transplanting home anthurium is best done in the spring. And they do it in the following cases:
- the roots filled the entire container so that the soil is practically invisible, or the root came out through the drain hole;
- brown or whitish spots appeared on the surface of the soil - the soil mixture was depleted;
- there are symptoms of root rot.
Practice shows that up to 4 years of age, the plant has to be replanted annually, and older ones - once every 2-3 years. It is important to note thatanthurium can be transplanted during its flowering period.
Diseases
If it has been noticed that the condition of the plant is deteriorating (lack of gloss, stunting, crushing of leaves), then urgent action should be taken. If at the same time the condition of the anthurium is still worsening, then this is an alarm signal, meaning that the flower is sick. It is necessary to determine the type of disease. Anthurium flower treatment should be done depending on the cause of the damage.
Types of diseases and their causes:
- Smallpox. Convex yellow-green spots appear on the leaf plate, which may be due to low air temperature with constant high humidity, as well as irregular fertilization or injury to the roots.
- Stem rot. It is accompanied by the formation of dark watery putrefactive spots on the stems and leaves. The fight against this disease consists in isolating the affected plants and treating them with Saprol, Rovral, Fitosporin-A or Alirin-B preparations. If the treatment is ineffective, the plant will have to be destroyed.
- Enation. Fouling of the leaves of the anthurium flower with growths and their curvature, which is presumably associated with sudden changes in the temperature regime in the room. The exact cause of the disease is still unknown.
- Bronze leaf color. A viral disease, accompanied by partial discoloration, wrinkling of the leaf plate and the formation of small holes on it. Control measures - the destruction of everythingplants.
- Septoria blotch. The formation of brown spots on the leaf plate, bordered by a yellow stripe. It is necessary to remove and burn the affected parts of the plant, destroy pests, reduce indoor humidity, normalize the composition of micronutrients, treat flowers with special preparations.
- Fusarium wilt. Fungal disease, accompanied by rapid wilting of the leaves and the appearance of a light pink bloom in the zone of the basal neck. There are no means of combating such an ailment, it remains only to observe hygiene - use clean containers and disinfected soil.
If all conditions of detention are observed, and the anthurium flower dries or other signs of plant wilting appear, it is urgent to determine the causes of this condition.
Pests
Anthurium can be attacked by spider mites, aphids, thrips, scale insects, tobacco or greenhouse whiteflies. To combat them, both folk remedies and chemicals are used.
Affected areas are best removed and destroyed. Prevention is all about proper care. Regular inspection and spraying of all plants in the house should also be carried out.
A little about signs
Anthurium flower has a unique appearance that catches the eye. There are superstitions and signs associated with this plant among the people. For example, if a lonely girl puts a pot of this flower in her bedroom, she will definitely attractbetrothed. Or it is believed that after the wedding, the newlyweds should also acquire spathiphyllum (“female happiness”) for anthurium, so that there will always be complete harmony in this family.
