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One of the signatures of the anthurium longistrorsum is its long stem and corrugated-heart-shaped leaves. The plant is a perfect home plant complemented by its small size nature. It is a pure epiphyte plant that doesn’t need soil to thrive.
Overview
- Botanical Name: Anthurium longistrorsum
- Popular Name: anthurium longistrorsum
- Size: 12-18 inches in height and leave is around 1-3 inches
- Type: Perennial
- Sun Exposure: Indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: Well-drained soil
- Soil pH: Between 5-6
- Toxicity: Humans and pets
Care Guide
Due to its natural habitat, which is Ecuador the plant will need special care if you live in an area that is different from its natural habitat. This includes how you give it lights, water, fertilization, humidity, temperature, and many more.
The closest you mimic the habitat, the more the plant will thrive. But don’t worry! The requirements are easy to follow. All you have to do is to follow the guidelines below.
Water Requirements
Watering can be one of the trickiest parts when it comes to raising an anthurium. You should not overwater it and you cannot also let the soil too dry.
Overwatering will lead to root rot. The best way to prevent this is to let the water dry out in between watering.
Besides, you also cannot be late to water the plant. Check the soil regularly with your knuckles. If it is dry and the soil is compacted, water it soon.
Light Requirement
The plant loves bright areas with indirect sunlight. If you place the plant outside, make sure you place it under the tree canopy.
The anthurium longistrorsum can survive low light situations but it is not supposed to be in a long condition as it will make the plant lose its shine—the same thing when it comes to bright light. Direct sunlight can scorch the plant.
Humidity
Interestingly, the plant can withstand dry air. Only it should not be exposed to excessive humidity. aim for moderate humidity between 40-70%. Although the plant can survive 80% humidity, it still prefers lower moisture such as 40% RH.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for this gorgeous plant is 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. At this level, the plant will grow healthily. However, it can also withstand temperatures at 55 degrees Fahrenheit. However you should not set it to less than that, and it should not be more than 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Read also : Anthurium Clarinervium : Basic Caring Knowledge
Fertilization
The anthurium longistrorsum doesn’t need fertilizer containing nitrate. You only need to feed the plant with the fungible fertilizer once or twice a month.
Grooming and Pruning
The plant is small and always stays on the ground which is why it tends to grow inside its pot. Therefore, pruning is not necessary.
You might want to prune the plant to prevent disease spread and maybe to remove the damaged areas.
Repotting
The plant commonly grows in baskets or pots. Repotting will be necessary once you see the root bound.
Propagation
The interesting part of growing the anthurium longistrorsum is you can grow it through stem cutting. The best time to do it is in the early spring because it is a growing season. Besides stem cutting, you can also grow the plant with divisional.
In propagating the plant, what you need to make sure is the pruning shears you use for cutting the plant are sterilized. Then you can follow this guideline:
- Cut the healthy stem sections and they should be beneath the node
- In cutting the plant, at least it has one leaf
- To encourage growth, don’t forget to dip the cutting ends in the rooting hormone
- Plant the cutting in the container using fresh potting soil
Toxicity
The plant contains calcium oxalate crystal which makes it toxic to humans and pets, especially dogs and cats. As the plant is ingested, you will exhibit certain symptoms such as vomiting, swelling around the mouth and tongue, and irritation in the GI tract and skin.
This is why you need to place the plant out of children’s and pets’ reach.
Pests and Diseases
Just like most anthuriums, the anthurium longistrorsum also gets attacked by pests and suffers from certain diseases. Your plant may be affected by various bugs such as thrips, brown scales, aphids, and also white mealybugs.
But don’t worry. Those bugs are treatable. You can shoot the plants with water or scrub them gently with horticultural soap or neem oil.
It is important to not let the anthurium sit in the water to prevent pest infestations. When the plant is too wet, it will lead to bacterial blight.
When it comes to disease, you must be careful with root rot. The signs of root rot can be seen in the discolored roots and weak stems. Over time, it will not be able to support the plant and later will cause death.
Varieties
The long stem becomes the statement point of the plant. The anthurium longistrorsum comes in a heart-shaped form with a glossy and a little bit corrugated texture. It has green color, making the plant looks very beautiful to be placed in a room.
Growth Rate
The plant is relatively small. The growth can stay about 12-18 inches in high. This is why the plant is perfect to be placed in the pot or basket.
For the leaves, the plant can grow around 1-3 inches. It is cute, right?
Read also : Anthurium Warocqueanum : The Queen Anthurium
Leaf, Flower, Stem and Seed Characteristic
- Leaf – The leaf comes in a heart-shaped form with a glossy and corrugated texture. It has green in color.
- Stem – The stem is the focal point of this plant with a long and tiny form that can support one leaf.
- Flower – The flowers start with females and then transform to male which produces pollen. It has a spadix that is covered with a spathe.
- Seeds – The seeds come from fruit which will take from 6-7 months to mature. The seeds are inside the fruits which are covered by sticky pulp and should be cleaned first when you want to use them for propagation.
Soil Requirements
The plant is epiphyte so it doesn’t need soil to live. If you plan to plant this anthurium, orchid bark is the most perfect medium. Other than that, make sure the medium you choose is well-drained and organic-rich.
FAQs
Can Anthurium Longistrorsum Go Dormant?
Yes! It can go dormant. Usually, it will show a waxy look during dormancy and the leaves will look pale.
How Fast Can Anthurium Longistrorsum Grow?
An anthurium can reach its maturity within 5 years. It is a slow-growing plant.
