What’s the best substrate for a Queen Anthurium?
My SIL just got a gorgeous Queen Anthurium for her birthday and we’re wondering if any anthurium lovers can tell us what substrate to use. She uses Leca for most of her plants and would like to for this but she wants to be sure it’s the best since it’s an expensive plant and she doesn’t want to kill it! What do you recommend? And is there a specific pot type that’s best? Thank you 🌿 #Anthurium #AnthuriumQueen #GregGang #PlantAddict
2
@BabeVila The best substrate for a Queen Anthurium (Anthurium warocqueanum) is an airy, chunky, epiphytic mix that mimics its natural tree-dwelling habitat. It needs to be moisture-retentive but exceptionally well-draining, as the plant's thick roots will rot if kept in dense, soggy soil. Is LECA a Good Option? Yes, LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) is a great option and is widely used by growers for semi-hydroponic setups. Because the Queen Anthurium originates as an epiphyte, its roots respond very well to the high oxygen and consistent moisture provided by LECA. If you decide to use LECA, keep these key tips in mind:Transition: Ensure you wash off all soil and transition the root system carefully. Many growers suggest rooting cuttings or seedlings in moss first before moving them to LECA.Water Levels: Only fill the outer reservoir about one-third of the way up with nutrient water. You want the clay balls to wick moisture to the roots, not submerge the main root base entirely.Nutrients: Since LECA contains no nutrients, you will need to add a specialized hydroponic or foliage fertilizer (such as Foliage-Pro) to your water reservoir.
@BabeVila In my experience with anthuriums (which has not been extensive at all, as of yet I’ve only had them for about 8 months) epiphytic anthuriums like the warocqueanum can rot really easily if the mix is too moisture retaining. So I have had success when I treat them like orchids, and put them in a very light and airy mix of orchid bark, perlite, and long fiber sphag that has been fluffed out so that it’s not compressed at all.
I, personally, would feel uncomfortable putting them in leca, but then, if your SIL has *everything* in leca, then perhaps it would be more dangerous to have one plant *not* in leca 🤔
I also have all of mine in “DIY orchid pots,” clear plastic that have extra holes burnt into the sides, fwiw. 🤍
I, personally, would feel uncomfortable putting them in leca, but then, if your SIL has *everything* in leca, then perhaps it would be more dangerous to have one plant *not* in leca 🤔
I also have all of mine in “DIY orchid pots,” clear plastic that have extra holes burnt into the sides, fwiw. 🤍