Happy Valentine's Friendly Gardeners!
Today, I will relate my experience with Anthuriums as our highlight. Anthuriums are the largest genus of the 1,000 species of the Arum family Araceae. They are relatives of Alocasias. Anthuriums are tropical plants (Flamingo Flowers) that remind one of Hawaii. They do well in southern Florida, Zone 10. They can be grown indoors in northern states.
Anthurium
The flowers resemble Flamingos in that they have long stems with a curvature bearing an abstract blossom in the color of a Flamingo. They range in color from salmon, flamingo, pale pink, bright red and deep red. The foliage is so perfect and brightly colored that one wonders if they are real. They do not have a noticeable fragrance. The new leaves appear very shiny, bright green. The older leaves are not quite as bright which can be changed by dusting their leaves with a moistened paper towel andwiping on a mixture of 1/2 c. milk and 1/2 c. water with a cottonball.
Anthuriums are hardy plants. They bloom all the time, but more in the summer months. Anthuriums prefer shade. They need just enough morning sun to maintain brightly colored blossoms. Our afternoon sun would burn their leaves. We have several planted in pots, none in the ground. If you plant them in the ground, choose the location while considering the changing sun with the seasons.
Pink Anthurium Flowers
I plant flowering Anthuriums in medium sized 8" by 12" pots in good potting soil with perlite and peat added if desired after dividing them. It helps to add a small amount of slow-release fertilizer granules to the top of the soil. I also add a small amount of Andro 15 Ant killer (not the Fire Ant kind) slow release granules to the top of the soil. Ours are all located on the morning side of the pool deck in order to get the morning sun and afternoon shade. They grow quite rapidly and develop what resembles individual bouquets growing attached near the base of the original plant. These are easily propagated by severing with a small saw or a serrated knife at the base of the new plant and potting each one separately. The last propogating session produced six new plants off one adult plant. Each section will have several leaves and perhaps, a few blooms. It is easy to decipher where they should be severed. The originalplant thrives with the trimming. It will become even larger and heathier. It is a great way to share your garden with others.
A Brilliant Multicolored Anthurium Leaf
There are other varieties of Anthuriums you may have in your gardens. They are known as Hookerie. Their leaves are very large and ruffled. They are called rat-tailed due to the coarse tail-like sprouts that are their definition. They are poisonous. They can be very large and highly sought after by afficionados. Harriet Pattison has one in her garden.
Bird's Nest Fern
Bird's Nest Ferns are also related to the Anthuriums. Their leaves are ruffled and large and resemble the Hookeries. They prefer a shady location and grow very large quite soon after being planted in the ground as a small plant. We really like the tropical appearance they lend to our garden.
See how Patti's "Mystery Plant" Grows in February. Who can identify it?
Enjoy your gardens!
Patti Poshek