Brown edges on my anthurium.
My anthurium has really done down hill last couple months. Am I underwatering it? The soil always seems damp. With the colder season coming, the heater has been going. Does it need more humidity? Thanks. #PlantAddict #Anthurium #
6” pot
Last watered 2 years ago
4
Best Answer
Hi, @Dolewhip. I have had some trouble with my anthuriums every year at this time. It happens when the air is dry but the soil remains moist due to compacting. Anthuriums do best in high humidity with very chunky soil so that air gets to them. They also do well in slatted orchid pots.
Right now, I would suggest re-potting to fresh medium with more premium orchid bark than soil and making sure you do not water for several days. An increase in humidity helps but while re-potting, spray leaves to saturation with a fungicide and allow it to sit a few minutes before gently patting it dry. Make sure you wear gloves and PPE when dealing with fungicides.
Anthurium watering requirements change at this time of year. Your medium will dry faster so it’s important to water every Teo to three days but only water very little so that the roots can breathe and get enough air.
If you don’t have a gentle fan nearby, I suggest you get one and make sure it isn’t pointed directly at the foliage. Do not expose them to bright light if you have your heat on at home. Especially since you’ve changed the medium. You want to keep them warm above 70°F but you want to protect the foliage by trading off sone water for humidity. Your foliage will thank you over time and so will the roots. Try to remember that they are using less nutrients so now is when it’s important to back off watering and manage the temp and humidity via an ultrasonic humidifier that does not evaporate the water and leave water all over the foliage. Instead, it creates a fine mist and moistens the foliage.
Be sure to sanitize the pots before re-potting and be sure to keep your medium airy, chunky, slightly moist with lots of air pockets that include charcoal and pumice or perlite so you can get really strong roots developing during winter. Most times, you will find that you don’t need to go up in pot size, only rearrange the roots in fresh medium. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can purchase a 360 misting bottle at a beauty supply store, fill it with distilled water and mist your Anthurium every two or three days. Remember to pay it dry gently and keep it away from any drafts of heat vents.
Best of luck! 🌿
Right now, I would suggest re-potting to fresh medium with more premium orchid bark than soil and making sure you do not water for several days. An increase in humidity helps but while re-potting, spray leaves to saturation with a fungicide and allow it to sit a few minutes before gently patting it dry. Make sure you wear gloves and PPE when dealing with fungicides.
Anthurium watering requirements change at this time of year. Your medium will dry faster so it’s important to water every Teo to three days but only water very little so that the roots can breathe and get enough air.
If you don’t have a gentle fan nearby, I suggest you get one and make sure it isn’t pointed directly at the foliage. Do not expose them to bright light if you have your heat on at home. Especially since you’ve changed the medium. You want to keep them warm above 70°F but you want to protect the foliage by trading off sone water for humidity. Your foliage will thank you over time and so will the roots. Try to remember that they are using less nutrients so now is when it’s important to back off watering and manage the temp and humidity via an ultrasonic humidifier that does not evaporate the water and leave water all over the foliage. Instead, it creates a fine mist and moistens the foliage.
Be sure to sanitize the pots before re-potting and be sure to keep your medium airy, chunky, slightly moist with lots of air pockets that include charcoal and pumice or perlite so you can get really strong roots developing during winter. Most times, you will find that you don’t need to go up in pot size, only rearrange the roots in fresh medium. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can purchase a 360 misting bottle at a beauty supply store, fill it with distilled water and mist your Anthurium every two or three days. Remember to pay it dry gently and keep it away from any drafts of heat vents.
Best of luck! 🌿
@Dolewhip I use Daconil since it is a hard-hitter yet I use it extremely diluted to not damage the velvet texture of the leaves. Your roots can also be checked for root rot during the Re-potting process. Anything black or mushy should be trimmed off and sterilized with hydrogen peroxide. You can let them sit with the HO sprayed on the roots a minute or two then rinse and pat dry. Your new medium should be moist enough fresh out of the bags to provide enough moisture and the chunky orchid bark will create the pockets you want and need. Your roots should start forming a stronger system in this kind of mix because they’ve been cleaned up and even if the leaves don’t repair themselves, any possible fungus is halted and the plant can redirect its attention to regaining health. The reason I use clear orchid pots is so that I can see the roots and the moisture through the slats and pot itself. If I want to water the roots a bit, I can use the long narrow nozzle squeeze bottle with water and shoot it straight through the slats at the roots while at the same time, they still recieve enough air.
Keep a consistent watering schedule. And, yes, I’ve lost foliage to the sudden climate change but they come back as long as you keep the damaged foliage and aren’t quick to snip them all off. Be patient. Anthuriums are slow griwers but they are very heavy feeders. Once they settle in, they’ll start to give you new leaves that will replace the damaged ones.
I’ve added images of the benefit of clear orchid pots and what the roots should look like in that chunky mix below. I’ll add the links to the pots and the squeeze bottles too.
Oubest Squeeze Washing Bottle... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087CNJVBG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
YIKUSH Orchid Pots with Holes Clear Orchid Pot Plastic Plant Pot Flower Pots Outdoor and Indoor Use 4.5 Inch 5 Pack https://a.co/d/fImDVGS
Keep a consistent watering schedule. And, yes, I’ve lost foliage to the sudden climate change but they come back as long as you keep the damaged foliage and aren’t quick to snip them all off. Be patient. Anthuriums are slow griwers but they are very heavy feeders. Once they settle in, they’ll start to give you new leaves that will replace the damaged ones.
I’ve added images of the benefit of clear orchid pots and what the roots should look like in that chunky mix below. I’ll add the links to the pots and the squeeze bottles too.
Oubest Squeeze Washing Bottle... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087CNJVBG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
YIKUSH Orchid Pots with Holes Clear Orchid Pot Plastic Plant Pot Flower Pots Outdoor and Indoor Use 4.5 Inch 5 Pack https://a.co/d/fImDVGS
That’s such a beautiful plant I love her leaves