Anthurium - one of the finest representatives of the family Araceae (Araseae). Homeland this extraordinary plantlets are tropical forests of the Amazon. I kind of anthuriums found herbaceous plants, epiphytes and lianas. Quite Numerous genus includes about 600 anthuriums krasyvotsvituchyh plants. With the unusual shape of flowers he was given the title flower - flamingos.

The most popular among amateur gardeners use only two species: Anthurium Andre (A. andreanum) and Anthurium Scherzer (A. schtrzerianum). Very common in the indoor horticulture hybrid varieties of the two species differ in color bracts.

Anthurium - perennial plant. Anthurium leaves grow out of the ground at high stalks that are attached to the leaf blade, slightly shifted from the edge. Leaves of plants vary in size, depending on their age: what can lodshyy leaf, so it is smaller. On the upper leaf blade leathery, shiny, painted in monochromatic green. Flowering plants are small and rather vague collected into small florets pochatkopodibni.

The appeal of the inflorescences adds to the wide - kryvalo bracts. Leathery, glossy in a flower garden has an original shape and different bright colors. It can be white, pink, orange, blue, blue or brown.

Anthurium Andre - the most popular type. The stem of this plant is short and vuzluvate. Leaves cordate shape and smooth surface. The flowers are on a very long peduncle. Anthurium leaves Scherzer dark green, elongated, narrower than in other species of this plant. Cones -start wondering curved, colored bracts in different colors - from white to purple. The form resembles a flower beautifully curved swan neck.

Buying and choice plants. Choose a plant with a firm and glossy leaves. It is desirable that a few buds were unsolved.

Lighting. Flowering anthurium required dim ambient light. Optimally place a plant near the eastern and western windows. Anthurium not tolerate direct sunlight - appear with spots and dots on the leaves. Anthurium tolerate partial shade (ampelnye variety), but the lack of lighting and shrinking leaves turn yellow, it is also possible termination of flowering.

Temperature. Anthurium - thermophilic plant. Do not tolerate drafts and temperature changes. In summer, the optimum temperature - 20-26 °C, in winter - not below 15 °C. When the temperature drops below 12 °C Anthurium starts to hurt.

Humidity. Anthurium needs high humidity, especially varieties with good letters (Anthurium crystal). To increase the humidity of the air in the root Anthurium zakutuyut moss - sphagnum moss and periodically sprayed and moss and plants. Spray recommended 2 times a day. Do not splash on flower to avoid stains on them.

Irrigation. In spring and summer Anthurium watered abundantly, the water is drained from the tray. Topsoil should slightly between waterings dry, but in any case not dry out. Autumn - winter reduce watering, about 1 time per week. Water necessarily to be paperback with lime, preferably with a filter.

Feeding. From spring to autumn Anthurium fed half dose of fertilizer for Araceae 1 every 2-3 weeks. You can also use fertilizer for decorative and flowering plants.

In autumn and winter flowering plants can feed 1 time a month.

Transplantation. Since Anthurium is superficial root system, the pot should be wide and shallow. The first transplants (plants from the store) carefully remove the substrate from the roots, they are quite fragile. At the bottom of the pot will be happy to put drainage. Substrate for transplantation should be breathable and loose parts March 3 substrate based on peat and 1 part moss - sphagnum adding pieces of bark. Also suitable substrate with a mixture of lea, pine lands, peat and sand in a ratio 1:1:1:0,5. Aerial roots Anthurium levy moss - sphagnum.

Young plants are transplanted each year, adults - every 3-4 years.

Pruning and shaping. In pruning is not necessary.

Bloom. Andre Anthurium blooms almost all year round. Other varieties - from spring to autumn. Faded flowers are preferably removed so as not to weaken the plant.

Reproduction. Anthurium Propagation by seed, division bush (rhizome), lateral descendants apical cuttings.

So Anthurium roots are very fragile, bush divide only in extreme cases. Divided plants need to keep warm and often sprayed. It is advisable to add Appin.

Side descendants near the roots separated from the parent plant and planted in small pots with a light porous soil. This operation is best done in spring.

Also apical cuttings propagated in spring by removing the lower leaves 1-2 and deepening the shaft to the first message. The soil should be porous and easy. Cuttings better cover the transparent material and place in a warm place. After 2-3 weeks sit in pots.

Note. The stems and leaves are poisonous anturyumov, work gloves. Make sure that children do not chew the leaves and stems of Anthurium.

Diseases and pests. In the Gulf of plant damaged by root rot. At low humidity damaged Quadraspidiotus perniciosus and spider mites.

Anthurium winter. In winter, the main temperature control stick (not below 12 °C) and protect from drafts anthurium.