Re: Potting Mix for Anthuriums?

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

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