Many gardeners are trying to breed in their home an exotic South American plant anthurium. This decorative and unpretentious flower is not so difficult to propagate at home. We propose to study the reproduction of anthurium with a leaf, cuttings and seeds in our article. Any interior will be decorated with several pots with anthurium, which has beautiful glossy leaves and spectacular flowers.
The main thing about Anthurium
One of the most beautiful and elegant colors is Anthurium. Reproduction at home with a leaf and from the seeds of this beauty is of interest to many readers. At the mention of the plant, they immediately represent red or white waxy flowers that last long in the water. Still anthurium pleases its owners with shiny bright green leaves. Yes, indeed, the plant blooms very beautifully, but there are non-blooming varieties that delight the eye with velvety leaves with unusually embossed patterns. That is why it does not hurt you to find out about the reproduction of anthurium with a leaf of a house. This method of breeding does not require lush bush growth.
The plant is distinguished by wide swept and velvety leaves in the shape of a heart. In tropical conditions, the size of a handsome man can reach up to half a meter. In height, the bush can grow up to one meter. A bunch of leaves resembles a lush hat, over which large inflorescences flaunt in the form of ears. The shape and shade of the flowers may vary for different types of anthurium. The inflorescence can be straight, spiral-curved, spherical and even club-shaped.
Vegetative propagation
Before you learn about the reproduction of Anthurium leaf, maintenance and care of the flower, we suggest exploring the method of dividing the overgrown bush. They are used by those flower growers who want to quickly and easily get young plant specimens. This event is like an annual spring flower transplant. So, how to divide the anthurium by division?
The main thing in this business is caution. Remember the brittle and brittle leaves of anthurium. Do not grab hold of the knife immediately, share the bush with your hands. Do not forget that in each dividend there must be a viable growth point and several leaves. If you comply with such conditions, then the young bushes will take root quickly and begin to grow. Division of the bush makes it possible for the plant to bloom in the first or second year of cultivation.
Reproduction by the lateral processes
In addition to the reproduction of anthurium with a leaf, cuttings, seeds at home, there is a method of breeding with offspring. In an adult well-developed plant, many lateral processes develop over time. They are great for further breeding. It is best to separate the offspring during the transplant procedure. So you do not injure once again the roots of the flower. Carry out such an event according to the following plan:
- Remove the root system from the pot along with a lump of earth.
- Gently separate the young shoots with small pieces of root from the main plant.
- Plant the bush back in the pot, fill the voids with enough soil.
- Plant young shoots with roots in small containers, water and care for them.
You can put young seedlings in a small greenhouse. Make sure that they are not exposed to direct sunlight. You can cover the space in front of them with plain white paper. Ventilate the greenhouse from time to time, spray the leaves with warm, settled water. In a month or two, the offspring will take quite powerful roots. Then you can put them in the main pots.
Breeding Anthurium cuttings
Cuttings are a great way to breed anthurium. Cuttings are the apices of the stems. In indoor conditions, they take root quickly and easily. Only observe the following rules:
- Harvest cuttings only from healthy bushes.
- Pay attention to the presence of growth points on each shank.
- Cut branches with a maximum length of 2-3 internodes.
- After making a cut, allow the planting material to dry a little, 15 minutes.
During drying, the lower cut will be covered with a film that will protect the shoots from decay. Further, each grower himself chooses a method of rooting cuttings. Here are some tips:
- Put them in water. Take the cooled boiled water, pour into a small container and put the cuttings there. Lower a piece of charcoal to the bottom. As the water evaporates, replenish its volume. As soon as new roots appear, plant the sprouts in the ground.
- Root in the substrate. To do this, use a mixture of sand, peat and perlite. Take all the components in equal proportions. Deepen the cuttings into the soil by 5 cm. Cover the planting material with a glass jar or a translucent bag. Rooting takes 2 to 4 weeks.
- Use the moss. It is an excellent tool for rooting. Take plastic cups, fill them with wet moss and dip the cuttings into it. You can do the same in plastic bags. Be sure to regularly moisten the moss. Identify planting material in a warm and bright place.
These are such simple methods of propagation of decorative anthurium.
Step-by-step instructions for propagating anthurium leaf
An effective rooting procedure is possible only when they are cut with the stalk. Such reproduction is suitable for leathery, thick-veined, Andre, Scherzer and some other species. Consider the step-by-step reproduction of anthurium leaf:
- Cut a leaf from the top of the petiole.
- Twist it into a tube, fix this position with a thread or rubber band.
- Submerge part of the petiole in peat mixture by two-thirds.
- Pour plenty of water on the leaf and cover with a plastic transparent glass.
- Regularly moisten the soil in cups and do not forget to cover the top.
Root in a dark and warm place. Ventilate the planting daily and spray it. After three to four weeks, a sprout will hatch on the surface, then another one. Now you can cut off the old leaf and transplant a young bush into a permanent pot.
Sowing seedlings
The most difficult way to reproduce Anthurium is to sow seeds. If you decide on it, then get ready for a complex and lengthy process. Lovers of indoor plants will find it interesting and informative. Anthurium seeds are sold by collectors and distributed by specialized flower shops. When you buy planting material, pay attention to the packaging date. The fact is that after 3-4 months the seeds can lose their germination.
If you can’t get quality material, you can try pollination of your own plant. When the anthurium begins to bloom, collect pollen from the cob. Wrap it in a paper bag and place in the refrigerator. After blooming another flower with a brush, carefully transfer the pollen to its ear. Repeat this procedure for 5 days.
You can also use the self-pollination of the flower. After a week or two of opening the bud, swipe down on the ears and then up. When the seeds ripen, collect them and dry. Better sow them immediately after harvest. They will rise quite quickly. In a week, the first sprouts may appear on the surface of the soil. Do not forget to water the young seedlings in time. With the advent of the third real leaflet, pick the seedlings, transplant each outlet into a separate cup. Plant seedlings in the same substrate as for adult anthurium. If you follow all the recommendations for the reproduction of Anthurium seeds, you will achieve a positive result.
Lighting requirements
We have already considered the reproduction of Anthurium leaf and seeds at home, now we turn to the care of young plants. Let's start with the lighting. Anthurium likes a bright room with diffused light. But in no case do not place it in open sunlight. The plant also tolerates the shadow well, but only there it will not bloom. Abundant flowering is guaranteed in good daylight, and in winter with additional illumination.
Temperature mode
It is important for a novice grower to know about the reproduction of anthurium at home with a leaf and cuttings. Caring for a flower is equally important. The handsome anthurium suits room temperature. The natural environment of this plant is a tropical zone. The optimum temperature for it is + 20-25 ° C. In winter, it is enough to warm the room to + 18 ° C. Do not place plants near hot batteries. The cause of death and disease of the flower can be undesirable temperature drops and drafts.
Humidification
In nature, anthurium grows in tropical forests, so it is important to create an appropriate microclimate for it. It cannot grow and bloom in a dry room. You will need a humidifier or other proven methods. You can adapt a tray with wet expanded clay for this procedure. Moisture from it will evaporate, but will not fall into the pot. The plant will feel comfortable if you regularly spray the air around it. Just try not to get on the leaves, otherwise it will lead to limescale on them. The flower then becomes unattractive.
Watering a plant
Anthurium loves water very much. Sometimes it can be in water without soil for a long time. Water the flower abundantly. Stick to the middle ground: excessive or overdried soil can harm the plant. Check the drip tray regularly to ensure that no excess water remains in it.
Water as soon as you notice that the topsoil has dried out. If the room is very hot, then increase irrigation, and at low temperatures - reduce. For the summer period, two waterings per week are enough. In winter, do it once. Use warm soft (rain or settled) water for irrigation. Do not use lime water, because anthuriums love acidic substrates.
Fertilizer selection
At the stage of active vegetation, anthurium bushes need top dressing. It is enough to make nutritional formulations twice a month. Buy in a specialized store fertilizer for indoor decorative foliage plants. In summer, give preference to special fertilizers for decorative flowering crops. This will help the anthurium (it is also called the flamingo flower and male happiness) abundantly and for a long time to delight with beautiful buds.
By the appearance of the bush, you can determine which trace element is not enough for the plant. If it lacks nitrogen, then the leaves turn yellow. Then they dry up and fall off. The buds are small, and the shoots stop growing. Often the bushes have to be rejuvenated. Here you will find useful knowledge about the reproduction of Anthurium using leaves at home.
Plant diseases
You do not hurt to know one feature of anthurium: an adult plant begins to drop the lower leaves, they die off. Because of this, the flower loses its appeal. That's why you need to know several ways to rejuvenate it.
Anthuriums at home can be affected by chlorosis, stem rot, smallpox, anthracnosis, leaf bronze virus, enacia, septoria, fusarium wilt.
Slowing growth and flowering is observed with a lack of phosphorus. Then the twisting of the leaves begins, they are covered with reddish-purple or brownish-purple spots. Acute phosphorus deficiency leads to cessation of flowering.
If anthurium lacks potassium, then brown spots form on the leaves. Only leaves in the center remain green. Also, a lack of potassium leads to fungal diseases and pests.
A lack of magnesium causes pallor of leaves and curl them at the edges. Yellow color and spots of the same color indicate a lack of lighting. The affected leaves should be cut, and the wounds should be sprinkled with an antiseptic, for which take charcoal, cinnamon powder or wood ash. If you are even a beginner grower, then, following all our recommendations, you will be able to propagate and properly care for the beautiful Anthurium flower.