The Anthurium Splendidum is a beautiful plant with striking bloom colors. More recently, with new cultivars, they have become renowned also for their veining, velvet-like texture, and big leaves.
If you wish to grow this gorgeous plant in your garden or home you are in the right place. This guide will give you all the detailed information you need to grow a vibrant Antherium splendidum!
What is Anthurium Splendidum?
The Anthurium Splendidum plant is in the Araceae family. It is native to North American countries, including Ecuador and Colombia. This plant is a moderate-growing tropical epiphyte that is sought-after by horticultural growers.
Anthurium Splendidum Care
The Anthurium Splendidum has particular growing conditions that favor its vibrancy and development. Try to balance the care requirements to avoid any growing obstacles.
As seasons change, you should adjust the growing conditions accordingly to keep the Anthurium Splendidum thriving.
– Water Requirements
Appropriate watering is vital in Anthurium splendidum’s development and upkeep. Excessive watering is more dangerous as it leads to many problems that include pests or fungus manifestation, as well as root rot.
When these problems take over, the plant loses its vibrancy and becomes more vulnerable to diseases that may lead to its death. To achieve the best results, ensure that the watering frequency is high during spring and summer as they are the active growing seasons for your plant.
Temperatures are much warmer during the growing season, leading to increased water loss from plants and soil, raising the need for frequent replacement. Cooler seasons are associated with reduced plant growth or dormancy, which comes with a reduced need for water. In winter, the Anthurium Splendidum only needs a little water to keep it alive. Bear in mind that the soil needs to be hydrated frequently but not excessively.
We recommend you inspect the soil first by dipping your finger into the growing medium before watering it. If you find it slightly moist, do not irrigate. Watering works together with the drainage abilities of the soil mix and those of the pot. Excess water should be drained, so the roots do not continuously sit in soggy soil.
– Light Requirements
Sunlight is an important ingredient in Anthurium splendidum’s growth and upkeep. Low sunlight exposure will not give you the best out of your plant, whereas too much sunlight burns the leaves, taking away the beauty of the plant. To avoid problems that are associated with sunlight, expose the plant to moderate to bright light.
Anthurium Splendidum can survive in low-light conditions, making it ideal for indoor growing. However, you should not prolong its stay under such conditions because a bit of sunlight is needed for the enhancement of the foliage’s green color. In this case, we strongly advise that you place the plant close to a bright window while avoiding direct contact with the sun.
When growing the Anthurium Splendidum outside, find a shaded place with bright sunlight access. If you notice your splendidum’s leaves yellowing, that is a sign that the plant is not getting enough light, so you should gradually transition it outdoors or to a higher light level spot.
Gradually moving the plant between places with different sunlight intensities protects it from the shock that is caused by sudden changes in conditions. Grow lights are also useful if you grow your plants in a low-light environment.
– Soil Requirements
A soil mix that is well-draining and gritty is best for Anthurium splendidum’s growth. You can make a homemade soil mix with orchid plant mixes that you can get from horticultural stores. You just need to add peat moss and perlite to the orchid mix to create the optimal soil for your Anthurium splendidum. This type of soil mix is excellent for draining excess water and maintaining the required moisture.
Avoid using heavy and dense soils like clay as they hold water which increases the chances of the Anthurium’s roots rotting. Air circulation is another feature of a good soil mix. Enough air movement within the soil reduces the manifestation and breeding of diseases. In this case, it is wise to loosen the dirt using a fork or any other suitable tool after a few waterings.
During the growing season, fertilizers that are applied to the soil leave salts that keep accumulating with time. If the plants are left stuck in these conditions for a long time, you risk burning the root system. Flushing the soil with mineral-free water regularly helps in reducing the concentration of salts in the growing medium. Make sure that the pH is kept between 5.5 and 6.5.
– Temperature Requirements
The Anthurium Splendidum is very temperature sensitive and does not like too hot or too chilly conditions. This plant thrives in temperatures that range between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 27 degrees Celsius).
Summer is known for high temperatures so you should consider using air conditioning gadgets to maintain the required temperature levels. Temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) are unconducive as they cause your Anthurium to look sickly in the morning due to cold nights.
During the cold season, try to keep the temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) to help the Anthurium Splendidum stay alive. Avoid placing the plants close to vents and air conditioners.
If you are growing the Anthurium Splendidum outdoors, make sure there is no snow. Plant cells are prone to bursting when exposed to freezing conditions and this eventually kills the plant.
Please note that you should transition the Anthurium plant gradually to a warmer place to avoid shock. Sudden temperature alterations may distort the survival pattern of the plant. Ensure that temperature swings are well-managed, especially during winter or nighttime. Try to find a spot with steady temperatures that are within the survival range.
– Humidity Requirements
Being a tropical plant, the Anthurium Splendidum loves humid conditions. Most indoor spaces do not have sufficient moisture, but there are ways to supplement it. The average humidity that supports the Anthurium splendidum’s growth and upkeep is around 80 percent. In dry indoor situations, you can spray water on the plant’s foliage to elevate the humidity.
You should also consider misting the plant although this technique works well if the moisture is just below the proper level. Grouping moisture-loving plants is another cost-effective method that you can use to raise humidity. This technique ensures that moisture released through transpiration and evaporation is trapped and keeps circulating within the plants.
You can introduce the pebble tray system to the plants to increase humidity in the immediate environment. Place the pot on top of a tray that is filled with water, making sure that the roots do not touch the water to curb overwatering issues.
The water vapor from this system will saturate the environment, thereby raising moisture in the air around your plant. Using a humidifier gives you satisfactory results by regulating and maintaining humidity to your desired levels, leaving no side effects.
– Fertilizing Requirements
Fertilizers are essential in enhancing the development of the Anthurium splendidum. For best results, fertilize your Anthuriums during spring and summer when these plants grow actively. You should dilute the fertilizer to 25 percent strength and apply it to the soil. You can repeat this process each time you water your plants but only during the growing season.
At 25 percent, the fertilizer’s strength is greatly reduced so the probability of over-fertilizing the plants is cut down. Another option to consider is using slow-release fertilizers that only become active when you apply water to the soil.
This raises the need to adequately water your plant for the best results. Another advantage of slow-release fertilizers is that they last much longer than other types.
Fertilizing the Anthurium Splendidum during winter is not mandatory because the plants enter dormancy during this period, thereby reducing the need for too much feeding. We recommend that you reduce the fertilizing frequency to a single application a month, just to keep the plant healthy while awaiting the growing season.
– Pruning
Unlike species, like Anthurium brownii, the Anthurium Splendidum is a foliage plant whose beauty lies within its leaves and stems. Once you notice some discolored or dying leaves, consider trimming them to keep your plants appealing and attractive.
Old leaves turn yellow before falling off, but you can hasten the process by cutting them to keep the plant appealing. Please, use only sterilized tools to execute the pruning process to avoid bacterial transmission to the plant.
We recommend that you prune your plants during spring or early summer to give them time to recover before the growing season ends. Try not to be too harsh when pruning the foliage because you may end up damaging parts that were not meant to be removed. Also, make shallow and neat cuts to help your plant heal quickly.
Pruning is important in facilitating air circulation within the plants. Remove all diseased parts to avoid recurrences. You can consider removing the Anthurium Splendidum mature stems and leaves to pave the way for new growth to appear. After the pruning exercise, clean your tools and disinfect them before storing them in a bacteria-free place.
Propagation
Most gardeners prefer to propagate Anthurium Splendidum through stem cuttings. Propagating during spring or early summer is usually successful as plant development is supported during this period. Do not attempt to propagate the Anthurium Splendidum in winter because the chances of failure are pretty high due to unfavorable plant growth conditions. Follow the steps below to propagate the plant:
- Choose a healthy plant and cut off a stem that has at least two nodes.
- Before you insert the cutting into the potting medium, be sure to dip the cut end in a fungicide.
- Ensure that the potting mix is well-draining and that the pot should have enough holes to lose excess water.
- Make a hole in the center of the potting medium and place the cutting, making sure the leaves do not touch the soil.
- You should maintain high humidity levels around the young plant, so, you should water the cutting and enclose it in a ziplock bag.
- Now, place the cutting on a hot spot that has bright, indirect light and continuously water the soil mix to keep it well-hydrated but not soggy.
- In about four to five weeks, new growth will start appearing and that marks the right time to repot the plant as the Anthurium Splendidum size increases.
- Transfer your plant to a soil medium that is made from equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and bark.
Problems
There are several problems that you may come across when taking care of the Anthurium splendidum.
Most of these issues emanate from imbalances in care requirements and can be avoided when the correct measurements are administered to the plants. Some of the damage caused by care discrepancies are irreversible, so you should be very careful when taking care of this tropical plant.
– Brown Tips
When you notice the lower leaves of the Anthurium Splendidum developing brown tips as well as losing their beautiful green color, it might be a sign that the plant has been over-fertilized.
However, you have to clear out overwatering and light issues first before concluding that over-fertilizing is the problem. After determining this, reduce the fertilizer you are using on your Anthuriums. Try using a liquid fertilizer that is reduced to half strength once every one or two months.
If your beautiful plants develop brown tips as a result of over-fertilizing, place the pot in a sink and flush the soil with water for at least four to five minutes to get rid of the salts. Then, gently remove the plant from its pot and examine the roots. If you see any damaged roots, use sterilized scissors to cut them off and place the plant back in its pot. However, we advise that you repot the plant into a new potting medium to help the plant start afresh.
– Bacterial Blight
Some yellow and liquid sores that quickly develop into black or brown on your Anthuriums Splendidum are the common symptoms of a bacterial blight attack. This pathogen thrives in intense night temperatures and high moisture levels. When you detect the bacterial blight problem, quickly isolate your plant and trim all the damaged leaves.
You should consider reducing humidity and temperature levels when growing the Anthurium Splendidum indoors to prevent bacterial blight. Also, ensure sufficient air circulation around the Anthurium splendidum. When you water your plant, apply the water directly to the soil to avoid wetting the leaves.
In severe cases, we recommend that you use a combination of copper and fungicides containing mancozeb to control bacterial blight. You should apply fungicides to the Anthurium plant twice or thrice at seven to ten-day intervals to make sure they are free from bacterial blight.
– Bacterial Wilt
Bacterial wilt causes the Anthurium splendidum’s leaf veins to turn yellow while the rest of the leaf turns dark brown. Despite giving the plant adequate water, it will still wilt.
Bacterial wilt mainly emanates from the usage of dirty or infected pots, gardening tools, potting soil as well as exposure to chilly indoor conditions. In this case, use fresh soil, sterile pots, and disinfected equipment to avoid passing infections to your plants.
Please remove all fallen and decaying foliage from the pot or around the vicinity of the plant because they may be infected. Once infected isolate the plant and treat it away from the healthy ones.
– Root Rot
Root rot is one of the most common problems in Anthurium growing. Also known as the dumping disease, root rot causes yellowing of leaves and stunted growth. The plant may begin to wilt. Prolonging your plant’s stay in this situation will eventually lead to its death.
We advise that you remove the plant from the pot and check the roots for rot. If you notice brown and mushy roots, trim them off with sterilized scissors, clean the healthy ones, and repot the plant into a fresh potting mix. Unfortunately, severe cases of root rot cannot be reversed, so you will have to get rid of the entire plant.
To control root rot, you should make sure that there is sufficient airflow around the plants. Once the Anthurium Splendidum starts showing root rot symptoms, stop watering it and check the soil and pot’s drainage qualities. Also, consider using a well-drained fertilizer and avoid those that hold water.
– Phytophthora
Phytophthora is a rare fungal disease that is quite similar to root rot. It mainly attacks the roots of the plant. Once you notice your plant wilting despite being watered, look out for phytophthora. The Anthurium plant will also stop growing and begin looking sickly.
Regularly check the drainage abilities of the soil and container. Additionally, you can use fungicides when the infection gets out of control.
– Pests
Be on the lookout for thrips, spider mites, nematodes, and mealybugs as they snatch the dazzling appearance of your plants. We advise you to schedule checks on plants for quick detection of pests. Do not give them time to settle and reproduce because large populations can easily spread to nearby plants in no time and become more destructive.
Spider mites cause dropping with a yellowish halo and leaf wilting. The leaves will also look freckled. A thrip infestation can be identified by some thrips feces on the foliage and black patches on the leaves. As for nematodes, they survive by burrowing and feeding on roots that are fleshy, possibly leading to root rot.
A nematode attack causes your plant to shrink, thereby slowing its growth rate. When attacked by mealybugs, you will notice some tiny, flat, and oval white dots on the leaves. Mealybugs secrete white cotton-like matter on the leaves. You should use rubbing alcohol and pesticides on your Anthuriums for effective pest elimination.
Conclusion
The Anthurium Splendidum can grow and look as vibrant as possible if the care requirements are well-balanced.
Let us revisit some of the vital issues highlighted earlier in this plant guide.
- The Anthurium Splendidum can survive in low light situations but prolonged exposure to such conditions is harmful to it.
- When feeding the Anthurium splendidum, dilute the fertilizer to 25 percent strength to prevent over-fertilizing.
- Propagation of the Anthurium Splendidum can be done through stem cutting and new growth will start showing up in four to five weeks.
- Be on the lookout for pests and diseases that take away the gorgeous looks of your plant and in extreme cases, it may die.
Note that you can get the Anthurium Splendidum for sale online, and it is not as expensive as other varieties like the Anthurium Regale.
Therefore, if you are looking for cost-effective uniqueness brought by Anthuriums to your indoors, consider adding the Anthurium Splendidum type to your collection and draw the jungle vibe closer to your home!
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