Anthuriums

From: Rand Nicholson <writserv at nbnet.nb.ca> on 1997.08.29 at 14:03:44(1118) >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. +More > Tim Anderson >Palm Hammock Orchid Estate >9995 S.W. 66 St. >Miami Fl. > My three year old Anthurium andreanums are starting to sprawl and are exhibiting enlarged upper stems with the ubiquitious "air roots" that give Aroids their name. The weather has been humid and these roots have been shooting out everywhere and for considerable length; some have reached over nine cm from the nodes into the soil mix; others higher up, wander off at angles. Should I repot the plants with a slab of bark (or otherwise) for them to climb and, if so, what benefits will this bring to the plant? They are in a growth spurt and don't seem to mind their semi-trailing habit a bit. I should think some of the upper stems, by soil-line diameter comparison, to be grossly top heavy were it not for the aggregation of the supporting lower stem roots supporting the lower lengths of the stems, which are firmly and thickly entrenched in the soil medium (bark/sand/medium perlite/chopped long fiber live sphagnum moss: 3/4/2/1. Has weight, drains instantly, yet remains moist and is on the acid side of the scale). One more thing: I have just learned that the trait of trapping new emerging leaves by the leaf sheath in Anth. andreanum hybrids may not be specific to my particular plants or methods of culture (Thank you, Geoffrey). Unless the sheath is removed, the new leaf eventually breaks off at the end of the petiole stem while the emerging leaf remains trapped and croaks within the recalcitrant sheath which, stubbornly, outlives it's purpose. In removing the sheath, I have caused some interesting designs to appear on the leaves as they mature. Lace work, splits, folds and many eccentric designs that could be attributed to the North American "Early Moderns." Perhaps a few Cubists. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. Kind Regards, Rand

From: TimothyA7 at aol.com on 1997.08.29 at 15:54:16(1121) Rand, Your andreanums are at a good stage for topping and re potting. Just cut the top with 4-5 of the new arial roots and pot in your regular mix. The deformed new leaves are probably due to nutritional defeciences. Try adding fish emulsion to your feeding program. It has most minor elements and very often cures this type of problem. Let's hope it isn't a virus. Tim Anderson +More Palm Hammock Orchid Estate 9995 S.W. 66 St. Miami,Fl.

From: "Julius Boos" <ju-bo at classic.msn.com> on 1997.08.30 at 01:52:06(1130) Rand Dear Rand, First off, I am not an Anthurium grower, but you may want to try my suggestions. Re. the enlarged upper stems, my Dad used to place pieces of dry coconut husk ( the outer fiber layer of a coconut which is removed from around the inner "nut") directly around the bases of his plants, and the roots eagerly grew into and around these pieces and then supported the plant firmly at it`s base. (You should not have trouble obtaining coconuts in Miami, and a few chops with a sharp machette will provide the correctly sized pieces!) I`d say that each piece was 9" long by 5" wide, and the natural curve fitted them perfectly around each plant. Re. the leaves being trapped within the sheath, this may be caused by a too low light situation. I`ve seen this in many Aroids grown in too dark offices. I`d check the level of light that your plants are receiving with a light meter, and compare it to what is recorded as their needs in articles published in back issues of Aroideana. If you need, I can try to look these up for you. Good luck. Sincerely, Julius +More ju-bo@msn.com

From: "Julius Boos" <ju-bo at classic.msn.com> on 1997.08.30 at 01:56:16(1131) Dear Rand, First off, I am not an Anthurium grower, but you may want to try my suggestions. Re. the enlarged upper stems, my Dad used to place pieces of dry coconut husk ( the outer fiber layer of a coconut which is removed from around the inner "nut") directly around the bases of his plants, and the roots eagerly grew into and around these pieces and then supported the plant firmly at it`s base. (You should not have trouble obtaining coconuts in Miami, and a few chops with a sharp machette will provide the correctly sized pieces!) I`d say that each piece was 9" long by 5" wide, and the natural curve fitted them perfectly around each plant. Re. the leaves being trapped within the sheath, this may be caused by a too low light situation. I`ve seen this in many Aroids grown in too dark offices. I`d check the level of light that your plants are receiving with a light meter, and compare it to what is recorded as their needs in articles published in back issues of Aroideana. If you need, I can try to look these up for you. Good luck. Sincerely, Julius +More ju-bo@msn.com

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