How is anthurium transplant carried out at home?

Anthurium, which is also called the flower "Man's happiness", is an amazingly beautiful plant that has become widespread in indoor floriculture. Despite the fact that this capricious representative of the world of exotic flora has many requirements for the conditions of its maintenance, plant breeders treat him with special trepidation. So, it is known that anthuriums are very sensitive to transplantation, if the rules are not followed, they can get sick and even die. What conditions should a florist provide, who plans to transplant his exotic pet soon? How is this procedure performed correctly?

From time to time, absolutely any plant requires transplantation. Anthurium, as a representative of the world of the tropics and subtropics, makes increased demands not only on the regularity of this procedure, but also on the correctness of its implementation. An unsuccessful time for transplanting, an unsuitable soil or pot - these and many other factors can provoke wilting and even death of an exotic.

Usually, anthuriums need a transplant due to the following reasons:

• the root ball has outgrown the volume of the earthen ball;
• improperly selected substrate;
• depletion of the soil;
• disease and pest damage.

In addition, newly acquired plants that have undergone home quarantine, which means temporary isolation from other indoor flowers, also require transplants.

Any ornamental plants purchased from flower shops need a transplant to replace the store substrate. This is due to the fact that sellers of indoor plants, most often, use an inexpensive and even low-quality substrate, which allows flowers to survive transportation and maintain a presentable appearance in the window until the moment of purchase.

Store substrates have a high density, poorly permeable air and moisture. For anthuriums with aerial roots, such substrates are categorically unsuitable. In addition, store soil mixtures are characterized by a low moisture capacity, as a result of which plants often suffer from a moisture deficit. Considering all these factors, exotic plants purchased in the store, after the expiration of the quarantine period, must be transplanted into good nutrient soil.

A transplant is also necessary when the age of the plant requires it. So, young anthuriums, which are actively developing and growing, should be transplanted every year as they grow up. More mature specimens are recommended to be transplanted once every 2–4 years. In the case of transplanting adult plants, the procedure is combined with rejuvenation, which stimulates the formation of new young foliage.

A number of objective, visually identifiable signs allow to determine that a capricious exotic needs a transplant. The severity of these signs depends on the nature and characteristics of the reason due to which the plant requires a change in the substrate and pot.

If the root system of the plant has outgrown the volume of the existing pot and, as a result, the earthen coma, it will begin to break out of the container. In this case, the aerial roots of anthurium will germinate above the surface of the substrate, striving to go beyond the pot. Very often, with a strong growth of the root system, individual roots can be seen penetrating through the drainage holes at the bottom of the tank. All these signs are signals for an urgent plant transplant.

The exotic origin of anthuriums determines their increased requirements for the composition and quality of the substrate. The aerial roots of these exotics do not tolerate heavy, dense soils and soils with a high clay content. Fertile garden soil and universal soil, which are very favorably disposed by many indoor plants, are not suitable for them.

Too dense soil in the pot squeezes the roots of the plant, disrupting its metabolism and vital processes. As a result, the anthurium takes on a sluggish and painful appearance, and then dies altogether.

If a sufficient amount of time has passed since the last transplantation (more than 1–3 years), depletion of the soil mixture is not excluded. Any plant - especially one that is actively developing - draws strength for its growth from the resources of the substrate. The more intensively the flower develops, the faster its soil mixture is depleted and becomes unusable.

The fact that the substrate has completely exhausted its supply of nutrient resources is evidenced by a sudden stop in the growth and development of the plant. At the same time, it can retain the glossy shine and beautiful shape of its foliage, but anthurium will not form new stems, leaves and flowers. Also, the depletion of the soil mixture is indicated by such a sign in which the young leaves of the exotic cannot acquire the same size as the old ones. This indicates that the plant objectively lacks resources to enlarge young foliage while simultaneously supporting old and mature leaves.

If an exotic plant has suffered from pathogenic bacteria or fungi, or has been attacked by pests, it can be transplanted in any season. An emergency transplant in this case will allow you to preserve a sensitive exotic, even if it has been badly damaged. Delay in transplanting and processing a sick anthurium here is fraught with its death and infection of healthy plants in the vicinity.

In addition, transplantation is required for anthurium in cases of the formation of a strange plaque on the surface of the substrate. These can be lumpy dirty gray or dirty yellow formations, a fluffy gray-green coating, or markings of a dark brown or black color. If the surface of the soil mixture in a pot with anthurium began to become covered with suspicious growths or plaque, it is necessary to immediately transplant the plant and replace the substrate.

Before replanting any indoor plants, you need to carefully prepare. At this stage, green pets should be created certain conditions of detention and armed with the necessary equipment and materials.

Of the materials and tools required for transplanting anthurium, you will need:

• new substrate;
• new pot;
• a basin for pouring excess earth;
• newspapers or oilcloth;
• auxiliary means: a spatula for indoor flowers, a wooden stick for leveling the substrate, a watering can with settled water.

In the case when the plant is transplanted due to the small size of the pot, it is necessary to purchase a new and more spacious container. It is important to make sure that the diameter and height of the new pot are 3-4 centimeters larger than the same parameters of the previous container. It is preferable that the new pot is made of plastic or ceramic.

In some cases, plants need to be transplanted into a smaller container. If anthuriums grow in a pot that is too spacious and wide, they may not have enough strength to master the entire earthen coma.

Disinfect the new pot before planting and make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. If there are none, they are done independently using a hot nail or a thin drill.

When planning an anthurium transplant, it is also necessary to prepare a fresh nutrient substrate. It should be loose, moisture and breathable. It is preferable that it contains the following components:

• turf;
• peat;
• chopped pine bark;
• sphagnum;
• deciduous humus;
• sand;
• charcoal;
• vermiculite.

If it is not possible to purchase a ready-made soil mixture for representatives of the aroid family, which includes anthurium, you can cook it yourself. To do this, it is necessary to mix steamed peat, coarse sand and deciduous soil, taken in equal proportions. One part of coniferous land should be added to the resulting soil mixture. It can be brought from a pine forest by removing the topsoil under the trees. In this case, the earth should also be subjected to heat treatment - steaming.

When preparing for a transplant, you also need to purchase high-quality drainage. For capricious anthuriums, the drainage of the substrate is very important, which ensures full circulation of air and moisture. As a drainage, flower growers usually use crushed expanded clay, fine gravel, pebbles, brick chips.

The best time to transplant these delightful representatives of the tropical flora world is spring. Summer is considered a less favorable period.

Florists do not recommend replanting plants in autumn and winter. Despite the fact that anthuriums have practically no dormant period, the winter season is considered difficult for them. If, at this time of the year, capricious exotic plants are transplanted from one pot to another, they will need a lot of energy to restore and adapt.

You can transplant a healthy anthurium at home using the "transshipment" method. This method involves removing the plant, along with an earthen clod, from an old pot and planting it in a new container. At the same time, the roots are not cleared of the adhered soil mixture.

In the case when anthurium, which has suffered from diseases or pests, is to be transplanted, its roots, after extraction, are cleaned of the substrate. To disinfect the root ball from pathogens or parasites, a solution of potassium permanganate is used.

The sequence of actions that must be performed step by step during transplantation is as follows:

• before planting, the substrate in an old pot with anthurium is abundantly moistened;
• gently grab the flower by the stems (closer to the roots);
• carefully remove the plant along with an earthen lump;
• carefully examine the roots for damage, traces of diseases and pests.

If the roots of the plant are intact and look healthy, the anthurium is transplanted into a new container. In the case when the examination reveals damage or signs of disease or pest infestation, diseased and rotten roots are removed, and healthy ones are treated with Fitolavin.

Before placing the plant in a new pot, a drainage layer is placed on the bottom of the container. The substrate is poured over the drainage layer - so that the pot is filled by about a third. Then, focusing on the center of the container, the plant is placed in the pot.At this stage, you need to make sure that its stems are located in the center of the pot.

Then they begin to carefully fill the pot with the substrate. Too large fractions (fragments of pine bark, peat, turf) are carefully pushed with a thin stick, trying not to touch the fragile roots. For a more even distribution of the substrate in the pot, it is recommended to lightly tap on its walls while filling in the soil mixture.

Plants recently purchased from the store are not transplanted immediately. For some time, new anthuriums should be kept isolated from other indoor flowers. During the quarantine period, it will be possible to check the health of the flower, excluding the likelihood of its infection by pests or pathogens. The duration of the quarantine can vary from a few days to 2-3 weeks. After quarantine, the plant is transplanted into a new pot with a fresh nutrient substrate, performing all the above steps.

Novice gardeners are wary of replanting the Man's Happiness flower during flowering. Experienced plant breeders claim that for all their whimsicality, flowering anthuriums tolerate this procedure quite calmly. Nevertheless, during the flowering period, it is better not to disturb the plants unnecessarily. At this time, they spend a lot of energy on the formation of buds and flowers. A transplant, on the other hand, can distract exotic plants from flowering, forcing them to direct their available resources to adaptation and recovery.

After transplanting, the plant should be cared for more thoroughly than usual. At this time, anthuriums need sparing conditions of detention, allowing them to recover faster. To facilitate the adaptation of gentle exotics after transplantation, attention should be paid to the following care nuances:

• watering;
• top dressing;
• optimal lighting;
• suitable air temperature;
• suitable air humidity.

Watering the transplanted plant must be very careful. Practice shows that even with the most careful transplantation, the fragile roots of anthuriums are often injured and become more sensitive to conventional procedures.

Watering is recommended more abundant than usual, but the water should not stagnate in the pot. If water accumulates in a pot or sump, the excess must be drained. The need for alternate watering is determined based on the state of the earthen coma. If the substrate is dry on top, you need to water the plant.

In the first month after transplantation, feeding should be abandoned. If the roots of the anthurium are damaged during the procedure, feeding can worsen their condition. Moreover, there is no need for fertilization after transplanting, and for the reason that there are enough nutrients in the new substrate.

After transplanting, the plant needs a lot of soft and diffused light. Poor illumination, as well as direct sunlight, these gentle exotics endure painfully. It is best to place anthurium pots on windows in the east or west of the house. If there is a lack of natural light, flowers should be illuminated with a phytolamp or fluorescent lamp.

The exotic origin of anthuriums determines their increased requirements for the ambient temperature. Plants will recover faster after transplanting if the temperature in the room where they grow is maintained at a stable temperature of 25 °. In winter, the temperature can be lowered slightly. Sharp temperature changes should not be allowed, since they are destructive for tropical plants.

The tropics and subtropics, which are the natural habitat of anthuriums, are characterized by high air humidity. After transplanting, these exotic plants will be able to adapt and recover faster if the air in the room is saturated with moisture. You can cope with this task with a household humidifier. If there is no such device, a wide pan or container with water should be installed next to the anthuriums. Also, regular spraying with warm, settled water will allow maintaining optimal air humidity.

For the secrets of anthurium transplant, see the video below.