Velvet anthuriums have the reputation of being finicky and temperamental. They generally require more humidity than other gloss leaf anthuriums. There is a reason for that. There are micro epidermal cells (mini bumpy dots) on the leaves that reflect lights and also serve as a water-shedding mechanism. These cells cause the velvety sheen and make the leaves dry out much faster than glossy leaves. Because of this, I normally will have slightly different care for velutinous anthuriums.
A. Humidity: If you follow me a while back, I wrote an article about the integration between humidity and watering. In that post, I said if you water the plants enough, you don't need high humidity. I still stand by my claim. However, there is 1 factor that I forgot to mention. You need to consider the plant water in-take rate (from the roots,) and the transpiration rate (how fast the water transpires from the leaves.) In the velvety leaf anthurium case, the transpiration rate will be very fast, much faster than the amount of water the roots can take in. Especially when the root system is still young, the difference between the two rates will be more significant. Therefore, to slow down the transpiration rate, increasing relative humidity around the plants is a must. I usually have them in 70-75% humidity. For rooting cuttings, I will have them in 80-85% humidity.
B. These anthuriums will require a slight damper potting medium. I often add more coco coir or warm casting into the mix to increase the water retention.
C. Airflow is extremely important. Add more fans and let them blow parallel to the plants, not on top or into the plants!
D. Light: They hate high light. Giving them a medium light will actually benefit them. By medium light I mean, eastern window type of light.
What is your experience with growing velvety anthuriums? Let me know your tips or tricks!
2 comments
I have 5 Anthuriums in my care all with velvety leaves. My Crystallinum and my silver Blush are growing well enough in my prop boxes along with Regale propagations. My Queen, Regale, Villenaorum and Clarinervium are very slow growers since I red your article I took them further alway from my south facing window since I ve noticed brown spots and crispy tips around the leaves when in bright indirect light. Their roots are healthy thank God! The Queen and the Regale are very thirsty I water them once a week. And I’m planning to put them in a top table grow tent asap since humudity is a must for these two.
when you say fan blowing parallel to plant so either fan on top or at bottom blowing air parallel to plant
if side of plant should be perpendicular to plant, am i right?