Potting Mix for Anthuriums?

From: Dan Harrison <danhar at earthlink.net> on 1997.08.28 at 02:53:57(1110) Hi All, I'd like to know what others use as potting media for Anthuriums. I used a modified Cornell epiphyte mix for years; but the ingredients have become VERY expensive, and I don't feel good about using tree fern or New Zealand sphagnum. TIA Regards, Dan Harrison +More danhar@earthlink.net ICQ#1934397

From: plantnut at shadow.net (Dewey Fisk) on 1997.08.28 at 13:39:14(1112) Dan, For as many people as there are that grow Anthuriums, that is the number of people that will have their own 'favorite' mix. What will work under one persons growing conditions will not or may not work under someone elses... So, no one mix is bad and no one mix is good. If it works, don't fix it..... +More If you stop to consider the way they grow in the jungle, this will give a clue as to what they like. In the jungle they grow as epiphytes on trees with the roots entwined in the moss that also grows on the trees and in the leaf litter that accumulates in the ferns and other epiphytes. When they grow on the ground, the roots are all in the leaf litter. Never have I seen roots in the clay soil that is predominate in the parts of the jungle that I have visited. Getting them to grow in 'artificial' conditions should reflect the way they grow naturally. I grow many of mine on totems that are three inches square and four ft. high and is filled with sphagnum moss... For more information on this, see the IAS Newsletter of April-June1997. I wrote an article that described it in detail. If you grow Anthuriums in a pot... (and remember... when God invented Anthuriums... K-Mart was closed and he couldn't buy any pots....) Just remember that there has to be a lot of air exchange in the root area.... I have seen Anthuriums growing in large chunks of pine bark with nothing else in the pot... They were growing beautifully but had to be watered at least twice a day and fertilized with a weak solution at least once a week... Now, the other end of the scale.... I use a media of 1/3 Canadian Peat Moss, 1/3 Perlite and 1/3 composted pine bark in small chunks... This allows lots of air in the roots and is well drained... Anthuriums do not like "WET FEET', but they do like to be moist at all times... If a plant does not seem to like the above.... I will add a few styrofoam peanuts to the mix.... this gets more air circulation to the roots... Just remember that most all Anthuriums are epiphytes. I have seen Anthurium andreanum in the jungle with six to ten inch internodes that were streaching for a tree on which to climb. When they found that tree.... it became a short compact plant.... I hope the above helps... AND, for your convenience I am attaching some information on the IAS. There are lots of good articles in back issues of Aroideana that would be very informative.... If you will privately send me your snail mail, I will send you a booklet on the IAS. (I will do the same for anyone reading this....also..) Dewey... The International Aroid Society (IAS) was founded in June of 1977 at the home of Bette Waterbury, who became the first President. Dr. Michael Madison, Taxonomist at Marie Selby Botanical Garden in Sarasota, Florida was the Guiding Presence and became the Editor of our Scientific Journal, the Aroideana. The name was suggested by Dr. Dan Nicolson of the Smithsonian Institution. It means 'having to do with or pertaining to aroids.' The Society is dedicated to promoting the study of the aroid family in all its aspects. Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in this plant family. The IAS has been a fast moving organization. By the end of the year, 1977, there were already 73 members. This progress has continued. There are now over four hundred members world wide and we continue to grow. Publications: Aroideana is published one Volume per year and contains in excess of one hundred pages. Sometimes it is published more than once during the year and these additional Aroideanas are Numbered. Usually, the number of pages totals about one hundred for the year. This publication is devoted to the more scientific aspects of Araceae. The Newsletter is published quarterly and is a more 'chatty' publication. Here, announcements, general horticultural information, plant exchanges and new Aroid Literature are discussed. Visit our Web Page at >http://www.mobot.org/IAS/<. There you will find a multitude of information and a Membership Application. Membership Fees: Individual Membership (USA) $25.00 International (via Air Mail) $30.00 Libraries (Spec. Handling) $35.00 To become a Member, send your check in the appropriate amount, payable to 'International Aroid Society' to: Membership Chairman International Aroid Society P. O. Box 43-1853 South Miami, FL 33143 U.S.A. We would like to have *you* as our next new member! Dewey E. Fisk, Plant Nut THE PHILODENDRON PHREAQUE

From: TimothyA7 at aol.com on 1997.08.28 at 13:52:45(1115) Dan, Since most, if not all anthuriums are somewhat epiphytic in nature they must have that extra air around their roots. Styrofoam packing peanuts can be an effective and inexpensive growing media ammendment. This material first can be used in the bottom of the pot in place of normal drainage material then incorperated in the remaining planting media be it a sphagnum or other epiphyte mix. I like the newly available coconut chunks, it holds water and nutrients very well. It also seems to have a natural hormone that encourages root development. Tim Anderson +More Palm Hammock Orchid Estate 9995 S.W. 66 St. Miami Fl.

From: Tom Croat <croat at mobot.org> on 1997.08.29 at 13:51:15(1116) Tim: Are these "coconut chunks" peices of the husk, the rock-like inner shell or something else? Tom +More > > Dan, > Since most, if not all anthuriums are somewhat epiphytic in nature they > must have that extra air around their roots. Styrofoam packing peanuts can be > an effective and inexpensive growing media ammendment. This material first > can be used in the bottom of the pot in place of normal drainage material > then incorperated in the remaining planting media be it a sphagnum or other > epiphyte mix. I like the newly available coconut chunks, it holds water and > nutrients very well. It also seems to have a natural hormone that encourages > root development. > Tim Anderson > Palm Hammock Orchid Estate > 9995 S.W. 66 St. > Miami Fl. > > > -- Thomas B. Croat, Ph.D. P.A. Schulz Curator of Botany Missouri Botanical Garden P.O. Box 299 St. Louis, MO 63166-0299 phone: 314-577-5163; fax 314-577-9596; email croat@mobot.org

From: SNALICE at aol.com on 1997.08.29 at 14:16:08(1120) Tim, Dewey, or anyone else, >>>> I use a media of 1/3 Canadian Peat Moss, 1/3 Perlite and 1/3 composted pine bark in small chunks... This allows lots of air in the roots and is well drained... Anthuriums do not like "WET FEET', but they do like to be moist at all times... If a plant does not seem to like the above.... I will add a few styrofoam peanuts to +More the mix.... this gets more air circulation to the roots...<<<< I'm not sure how to ask this, but I'll give it a try so as not to seem really dumb. If the soil medium is already a nice epiphyte soil like the one discribed here, and the plant still doesn't look happy, how do you determine if it's from the lack of air? What I mean is, how do you know which way to go, add peanuts or take away peanuts? This is usually hard for me to read.... which way the plant isn't happy. I have an Anthurium growing in a rich, almost garden type soil that is doing fine, and blooming, which would seem to muddle the question of whether it's getting enough air in it's present soil in relation to an epiphyte mixture. If my plant was not being happy, I would't have much problem figuring out that I need to add peanuts, but if I start out with an already airy mixture.. where to go from there....assuming there is no lack of moisture or nutritional problem. Thanks, Sue Zunino

From: TimothyA7 at aol.com on 1997.08.29 at 16:00:47(1122) Sue, Here in South Florida we grow out in the wide open spaces. We can have many days of1" rains and have high humidity most days. So our growing media must survive this. We would have trouble with your bark/peat mix because the decomposition would be rapid and start blocking air movement in 3 to 4 months. If we grow under cover and hand water( too much work) the mix can last much longer. So we aiways are looking for material that will last longer but still keep ouir babies happy. Tim Anderson +More Palm Hammock Orchid Estate Miami Fl.

From: plantnut at shadow.net (Dewey Fisk) on 1997.08.29 at 16:06:44(1123) Sue, It is like I said.... "If it ain't broke, don't fix it...." If your plant is happy, leave it be! ewey +More Dewey E. Fisk, Plant Nut THE PHILODENDRON PHREAQUE

From: TimothyA7 at aol.com on 1997.08.29 at 16:12:26(1124) Tom, I'll have these materials for all to see at the show next month. Some products are just pieces of 'husk',some are 'trunk' chunks and some seem to be a mix. Most folks seem to be enjoying good growth using the stuff. I think we need to learn the fine points however. Tim Anderson +More Palm Hammock Orchid Estate Miami,Fl.

From: Rand Nicholson <writserv at nbnet.nb.ca> on 1997.08.29 at 19:23:11(1125) > Tim, Dewey, or anyone else, > > >>>> I use a media of 1/3 Canadian Peat +More >Moss, 1/3 Perlite and 1/3 composted pine bark in small chunks... This >allows lots of air in the roots and is well drained... Anthuriums do not >like "WET FEET', but they do like to be moist at all times... If a plant >does not seem to like the above.... I will add a few styrofoam peanuts to >the mix.... this gets more air circulation to the roots...<<<< > >I'm not sure how to ask this, but I'll give it a try so as not to seem really >dumb. If the soil medium is already a nice epiphyte soil like the one >discribed here, and the plant still doesn't look happy, how do you determine >if it's from the lack of air? What I mean is, how do you know which way to >go, add peanuts or take away peanuts? This is usually hard for me to >read.... which way the plant isn't happy. I have an Anthurium growing in a >rich, almost garden type soil that is doing fine, and blooming, which would >seem to muddle the question of whether it's getting enough air in it's >present soil in relation to an epiphyte mixture. If my plant was not being >happy, I would't have much problem figuring out that I need to add peanuts, >but if I start out with an already airy mixture.. where to go from >there....assuming there is no lack of moisture or nutritional problem. > >Thanks, >Sue Zunino I use a bark/perlite/sand mixture that drains instantly. I water it by soaking the pot for a half hour once a week. In your instance: Where to go ...? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Kind Regards, Rand

From: Tom Croat <croat at mobot.org> on 1997.08.29 at 19:35:39(1127) Tim: Thanks! I am looking forward to seeing you and your materials at the show. Tom +More > > Tom, I'll have these materials for all to see at the show next month. > Some products are just pieces of 'husk',some are 'trunk' chunks and some seem > to be a mix. Most folks seem to be enjoying good growth using the stuff. I > think we need to learn the fine points however. > Tim Anderson > Palm Hammock Orchid Estate > Miami,Fl. > > -- Thomas B. Croat, Ph.D. P.A. Schulz Curator of Botany Missouri Botanical Garden P.O. Box 299 St. Louis, MO 63166-0299 phone: 314-577-5163; fax 314-577-9596; email croat@mobot.org

From: "Julius Boos" <ju-bo at classic.msn.com> on 1997.08.30 at 02:00:48(1132) Dear Sue, I have not heard from you in a while-- How are the seedlings doing? How big are the Spathecarpa? Drop me a line when time permits. Cheers, Julius +More ju-bo@msn.com

From: SNALICE at aol.com on 1997.08.30 at 21:12:00(1134) Hello Julius, Everything is still alive! I'm happy with them, but I have a feeling they would be larger in Florida. I have been setting aside plant family photos taken as they grow, but they keep growing, so I keep taking more pictures and because I want to send you the latest report, I keep waiting to send them. It's just a vicious circle. I have a few more pictures to get, one of them being of the Spathacarpas, which are doing great by the way, then I will get them off to you so you can judge their growth for me. It helps to know what they SHOULD look like at this point. I had 7 Spathicarpa seedlings until some friends left me with 5. I planted one in my community pot where my kitten found a perfect spot to rest...on top of the Spathicarpa.....nothing else.... which resulted in a broken leaf, but it's putting up another one so I let the little rat have another day. They are starting to put out leaves at a much faster rate, compared to their babyhood rate of growth. Picturatum is awesome, and Lasia has thorns! Thanks for asking. The pictures aren't great, but will give you an idea of how they are doing, Sue

From: "Julius Boos" <ju-bo at classic.msn.com> on 1997.09.04 at 21:41:40(1159) ---------- Sent: Saturday, August 30, 1997 5:12 PM To: ju-bo@msn.com +More Subject: Re: Potting Mix for Anthuriums? >>Hello Julius, Everything is still alive! I'm happy with them, but I have a feeling they would be larger in Florida. I have been setting aside plant family photos taken as they grow, but they keep growing, so I keep taking more pictures and because I want to send you the latest report, I keep waiting to send them. It's just a vicious circle. I have a few more pictures to get, one of them being of the Spathacarpas, which are doing great by the way, then I will get them off to you so you can judge their growth for me. It helps to know what they SHOULD look like at this point. I had 7 Spathicarpa seedlings until some friends left me with 5. I planted one in my community pot where my kitten found a perfect spot to rest...on top of the Spathicarpa.....nothing else.... which resulted in a broken leaf, but it's putting up another one so I let the little rat have another day. They are starting to put out leaves at a much faster rate, compared to their babyhood rate of growth. Picturatum is awesome, and Lasia has thorns! Thanks for asking. The pictures aren't great, but will give you an idea of how they are doing, Sue<< Dear Sue, I am glad to hear that all your "Babies" are alive and doing well. It`s been pretty hectic around here what with the new job, etc, but I hope that life gets back to normal soon. Will write wgwin when time permits. Thanks again for the news. Sincerely, Julius.

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