The Anthurium balaoanum has relatively large leaves that are arrow-shaped, making it ideal for indoor growing and decoration. These large leaves have the quality to filter toxic chemicals like ammonia, toluene, and formaldehyde that are hazardous to health when inhaled or ingested.
When grown outdoors, this epiphyte reaches an unprecedented height of more than 30 meters and around two meters when grown as a houseplant. This article is an excellent source of information about the care needs of this perennial evergreen plant.
What Is Anthurium Balaoanum?
The Anthurium balaoanum is a fast-growing epiphytic plant whose soft leaves resemble the feel of thin tissue papers. It belongs to the Araceae family and is native to Ecuador. This plant produces green-yellow spathes, turns brown bending backward, and has a maroon blend.
Anthurium Balaoanum Care
It takes proper plant care to have the Anthurium balaoanum thrive and stay healthy. Ensuring that the care requirements do not fluctuate keeps your beloved tropical plant’s tender leaves vibrant. Please note that a well-kept Anthurium becomes less susceptible to diseases and pests, prolonging its lifespan and beauty.
– Water Requirements
Just like all other Anthuriums, you need to be extra careful on watering your plants therefore, try to mimic the Anthurium balaoanum origin conditions. You can water only when the soil is dry to avoid unnecessary waterlogging issues.
Do not be fooled by the dry topmost layer of the soil, it can be still very wet underneath. You can determine that the soil is dry enough by inserting your finger as deep as it can go into the soil and if it remains dry, then it is time to water.
Anthuriums are thirsty plants. They absorb all the moisture that is applied to their leaves and soil instantaneously so, avoid dehydrating them.
However, Anthurium balaoanum tends to retain moisture into the middle part of the soil which primarily leads to root rot if not well managed. This calls for the use of well-draining soil mixes and pots with adequate drainage holes to release excess water.
Winter is associated with plant dormancy, which means that you have to cut back on watering frequencies. Plant development occurs from spring up to summer so, ensure enough water is given to your beauties so that they fully nourish and develop themselves.
Also note that, in higher temperatures, the soil dries up faster and transpiration is high, resulting in increased water loss as compared to cooler and humid conditions.
– Light Requirements
The Anthurium balaoanum tolerates less exposure to medium direct sunlight. However, it is best to keep your plants away from direct sunlight, which can burn the leathery texture and discolor the leaves.
We advise that you choose a spot with bright indirect light to facilitate photosynthesis while protecting your plant at the same time. When you grow your plant outdoors, find a shaded place that allows your plant to access bright light.
Once you notice the leaves of your plant drying up, curling, and yellowing, these are signs that your Anthurium balaoanum is getting too much sunlight. You should transition the plant to a low-light spot to help it recover.
When the light is low, the plant becomes yellowed, curled, leggy, and wilts before the leaves fall off. Photosynthesis is also reduced, resulting in stunted growth.
Ensure that your Anthurium balaoanum gets at least five to eight hours of daylight every day. Given that sunlight is too low, six hours of LED grow light exposure is the best alternative to this plant. Some species like the Anthurium balaoanum ecuagenera, Anthurium brownii, and Anthurium hybrid’s large leaves enjoy lots of bright indirect light to flourish.
– Soil Requirements
An aroid soil mix is the best potting mix that you can use when growing the Anthurium balaoanum. Aroid mixes are comprised of bark chunks that are mixed with a substantial amount of organic matter to aid drainage and improve nutrition.
We advise that you do not use soils that are much compacted as they restrict root growth, air circulation, and water drainage. Once the soil stays waterlogged for long, root and stem rot manifests as organisms that cause them to thrive in such conditions.
If your potting mix becomes murky and heavy, immediately consider repotting your plants. A good well-draining soil mix works well with a potting container that has enough holes to drain off excess water.
Adding black charcoal to the top layer of soil enhances plant development as well as flower production. You should use a fork or any suitable gardening tool available to gently loosen the soil after a couple of waterings to maintain its original excess moisture draining and airy form.
The Anthurium balaoanum enjoys a pH between 5.5 to 6.5. We recommend that you periodically flash your soil to do away with salt accumulation that is caused by fertilizers. Bear in mind that, excess salts burn the plant’s roots and may extend to the foliage.
– Temperature Requirements
A temperature range of 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit should be maintained around your Anthurium balaoanum. This plant can still survive at lower temperatures although its development and appearance will not be that pleasing.
If the temperatures go below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, plant shock results. You should avoid this by using artificial heating to raise the temperatures around your plant, especially during winter.
When using artificial heaters, make use of the thermostat to avoid temperature fluctuations that have adverse effects on your plants. Avoid placing your Anthurium plant close to drafty doors and windows that can drastically affect indoor temperatures.
When grown outdoors, consider transitioning your Anthurium balaoanum to a warmer place that is free from cold or freezing conditions. Spring and summer are much more generous with heat, and these are the seasons in which plants develop so make sure to maintain sufficient temperature to get the best out of your Anthuriums.
– Humidity Requirements
The Anthurium balaoanum thrives in humidity that is well above 70 percent although it also survives in slightly lower levels. When growing this plant in low humidity places, consider placing the pot on a pebble tray.
As the water evaporates from the tray, it replenishes the lost humidity, thereby enhancing leaf growth and health. It is vital for you to take note that keeping your plants near heating vents or drafty openings drives away the much-needed humidity from your plants.
Misting the Anthurium balaoanum leaves alternatively helps in retaining moisture. Additionally, you could also consider grouping your plants to trap the humidity attained from transpiration within them. Using a humidifier is quite expensive but this method works very well in maintaining the required humidity level in your growing places.
– Fertilizer Requirements
Seaweed fertilizer that exists in powder and liquid form contributes a lot to the growth of your Anthurium balaoanum. You should dilute the fertilizer first because strong feeds are too harsh for your plants.
Once you have applied the diluted fertilizer, monitor the plant’s response to know whether to strengthen or further dilute your feeds for future use. When over-fertilized, the balaoanum’s leaves turn yellow and the roots experience burning.
Keep in mind that phosphorus-equipped fertilizers enhance color intensity as well as the blooming of your Anthurium plants. During summer, fertilize once a week to fully make use of the growing season.
Your Anthurium balaoanum will significantly grow with its leaves getting bigger and more beautiful. As for the winter season, cut back to a single fertilizer application a month due to plant dormancy.
– Pruning Requirements
Pruning is essential in keeping your Anthurium balaoanum beautiful and thriving. The first thing is to make sure your pruning shears or scissors are sterilized to eliminate pathogens that may have detrimental effects on your plants.
When cutting off the stems and leaves of your Anthuriums, avoid making deep incisions unnecessarily. Deep cuts take time to heal, thereby making the plant more vulnerable to shock and bacterial infestation.
We recommend that you undertake the pruning process during the start of the growing season to enable the recovery of the plant as the season progresses. Furthermore, cut off damaged or diseased leaves and properly dispose of them to avoid transmitting the infections to other plants. Old Anthurium balaoanum leaves turn yellow before naturally falling off but it is best to remove them to maintain the beautiful appearance.
Propagation
The Anthurium balaoanum propagation is easy and will not take much of your attention. This wonderful plant can be propagated using seeds that can be purchased from local supermarkets. You should also consider propagating using stem cuttings. Propagation should be done in the growing season because, during this period, your young plants have higher chances of developing with success.
– Seed Propagation
Look for a place in your garden or indoors where your plant can get moderate indirect sunlight. Prepare a soil mix that is comprised of organic mulch or compost and fill it into an eight-inch pot. Now, place the Anthurium balaoanum seeds in the soil mix and ensure that the seeds are one inch below the soil. The seeds will germinate and bear leaves in around six to eight weeks.
– Stem Cuttings
Get some cuttings that are half an inch long from the shoots. If you are getting the cuttings from a mature plant, cut off healthy stems that are one inch long. Remove the lower leaves and keep only two or three of them to help the plant adapt. Consider dipping the lower part of the stem in rooting hormone to enhance root formation.
Prepare a glass containing lukewarm water and place the cutting inside, with the lower half of the cutting being submerged. Make sure the leaves are well above the water and position the glass or tumbler on a spot with bright indirect light. It will take around two weeks for the roots to start developing. Once you notice the cutting get taller and new leaves appearing, it is time for repotting.
Get a medium-sized container with good drainage qualities, most preferably a terracotta pot. Prepare a well-draining aroid mix and expose the young plant to the normal Anthurium balaoanum parenting conditions and it will be good to go.
Problems
Just like all other Anthuriums, pests and diseases are a cause of concern as they take away the plant’s vibrant appearance. Bear in mind that, early detection gives your plants ample time to recover when corrective measures are promptly taken.
– Pests
The Anthurium balaoanum is a pest-resistant plant but, in situations where the plant is facing some deficiencies, it becomes vulnerable to pests like thrips, spider mites, and mealybugs. Prioritize cleaning the leaves of your plants using a soft cloth that is dipped in a liquid detergent and warm water solution. After that, wipe off the leaves using a dry cloth, leaving them clean.
Once you notice a pest inversion, quickly take action before further damage is done to your plants. We recommend that you isolate an infected plant and treat it separately. Misting your plants regularly to raise the humidity levels helps to drive away pests as they thrive in drier conditions. In addition, space out your plants because pests hibernate and reproduce within dense foliage.
– Diseases
The most common disease among Anthuriums is root and stem rot. It is caused by organisms that thrive in soggy soils which makes overwatering your first enemy. When roots start rotting, the plant starts wilting, discoloring, dropping, and curling. In severe cases, rotting will extend to the rest of the plant and recovery becomes impossible.
Well-draining soils and a pot with adequate holes for releasing excess water are important in curbing this problem. It is best to discard an infected plant and avoid reusing the once infected soil.
Also, be on the lookout for the bacterial blight that leaves some yellowish clusters that are soaked with water and are visible on the leaf margins. These clusters transform into v-shaped lessons that disturb the leaves’ gorgeous appearance.
Bacterial blight can penetrate the plant through leaf pores and torn tissues. Once you notice this bacterial infestation, isolate the plant and prune off the infected parts. In severe cases, properly discard the plant to avoid passing the bacteria to healthy plants. Other species like the Anthurium balaoanum dusii are quite unique and you would not like to lose them to diseases.
– Yellow Leaves
The Yellowing of the leaves is a common problem among Anthurium plants. However, the most common cause of yellowing leaves is excessive water. Poor drainage facilities and too frequent watering are the main causes of excess water retention. To avert this problem, consider using a well-draining soil mix that is light and well-aerated. In addition, use a good-sized pot that has adequate holes to drain off excess water.
It is wise to wait a little longer after noticing the soil’s dryness. You can wait for a day or two to allow for lump formation that keeps the soil light and airy. This will also give your plants enough time to use up excess moisture within their systems. Also, when exposed to too low light for long the leaves begin to yellow.
To avoid confusion, note that Anthurium balaoanum mature lower leaves begin to yellow up as time goes on. Therefore, you do not have to panic if this happens. These leaves will eventually fall off and will be replaced by new growth.
– Damaged Leaves
The Anthurium balaoanum tolerates early morning and late afternoon sunlight but this does not mean that you should always expose it to these conditions, especially when you are growing it outdoors.
We advise that you do not grow this plant completely outdoors as it will not tolerate prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. If circumstances like less indoor space are forcing you to move your Anthurium outdoors, be sure to create tolerance of your Anthurium to outdoor conditions through acclimatization.
Sudden changes in conditions like light and temperature result in plant shock that causes sickly-looking foliage. Through acclimatization, the plants slowly become accustomed to a new environment.
You can start by giving your plant a single hour of mid-day sunlight for seven consecutive days and move it back indoors. Continue this process by exposing the plant to two hours of outdoor sunlight for a week.
Gradually shift to four hours and this way, it becomes much more accustomed and resilient to outdoor conditions.
FAQ
Does Anthurium Balaoanum like to be misted?
Anthurium Balaoanum benefits from misting to maintain its preferred humidity levels, promoting healthy foliage and growth.
What are the benefits of growing Anthurium Balaoanum?
Growing Anthurium Balaoanum offers benefits like vibrant blooms, improved air quality, and a stunning tropical aesthetic.
Do Anthurium Balaoanum roots like to be crowded?
Anthurium Balaoanum thrives with slightly crowded roots, as it aids in nutrient absorption and supports overall plant health.
Conclusion
Due to its perennial nature, the Anthurium balaoanum needs proper care to prolong its life span. Here is a handful of main points covered in this article:
- We recommend using aroid mixes for growing Anthurium balaoanum due to their well-draining form that reduces overwatering chances.
- The Anthurium balaoanum can be propagated using seeds and stem cuttings.
- Keeping your plants in good health helps them to resist pests and diseases so, we advise you to avoid under-or over-exposure to the growing conditions.
- The lovely large leaves and pretty blooms are the main points of attraction on Anthurium balaoanum.
- You should prioritize washing your hands with detergent soap and sterilizing your equipment to get rid of any bacteria before getting into contact with your Anthurium balaoanum.
Keep in mind to Regularly inspect the plants for early detection of abnormalities so that you can rectify them promptly. Choose this adventurous plant and escalate your experience!
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