How My Friend Revived His ANTHURIUMS Let’s Try His SECRET!

Good morning, everyone! I hope you are doing great. Today’s video may just change your life—well, at least the lives of several plants I have here! As I mentioned yesterday, I have many projects piled up, but what you’re going to see today is a technique that a colleague of mine, with whom I used to work in plants, shared with me. He claimed it worked wonders for him, and I believe I may have tried it once but want to give it another shot after seeing his images.

What We’re Dealing With

This technique isn’t just for reviving the anthuriums you see here, but can also help various other plants. So if you’re curious about expanding your plant care knowledge, stick around!

Preparing for the Task

In my previous video, I said I still had an orchid to transplant, but surprisingly, I received a few anthuriums recently that need saving. It’s interesting how life presents us with opportunities, isn’t it? So let’s get into action with not just the anthuriums but also a bromeliad and a heliconia that many of you loved from my Thailand video!

Materials Required

• Pine bark (perfect for orchids)
• LECA (expanded clay aggregate, or similar substrate)
• A little bit of universal substrate with worm humus
• Water for hydration
• A container for mixing

The Secret Technique

Let’s dive into the secret. Remember, anthuriums are often categorized as epiphytic or semi-epiphytic plants. You’d typically see them growing around the base of trees, their roots sometimes submerged in just a bit of light substrate while other roots cling to branches, absorbing moisture from the air.

Mixing the New Substrate

For our anthuriums, we’re not going to use a traditional 100% nutrient-rich substrate. Instead, we will mix around 90% inert substrate to ensure good drainage and aeration—crucial for these beauties! We’ll add just a hint of universal substrate for nutrition to make sure they have a little boost.

Watering and Rehoming

It’s essential for the plant to receive enough moisture but not drown in it! I’ve found that these plants benefit significantly from the humidity in the air and the occasional misting. So, while we’ll be watering, remember to observe the roots closely for signs of life and hydration. It’s vital to treat them like they’re almost in a semi-aquatic environment, as we often do with cuttings in water.

Rescue Operation!

Let’s look at the anthuriums. The first thing to do is remove any dead or sick roots. You’d be surprised how resilient these plants can be. After gently peeling away the old substrate, I focus on making sure their healthy roots are dry and firm. Once cleaned, I encourage healthy new growth with my finger through this area—it’s like petting your plant!

Monitoring Growth

After the initial setup, it’s all about patience and care. The key here is monitoring how they respond, which I’ve seen friends achieve in a couple of months. Remember, every plant is unique, so what works for one may need tweaking for another.

Additional Considerations

While anthuriums are generally recognized among the top 10 most gifted houseplants, each variety can have specific needs:

• Understanding that anthuriums often thrive when given air circulation, so avoid compacting the substrate too much.
• Remember, just like orchids, they thrive on atmospheric humidity, so keeping them near water sources can create the ideal environment.
• When finished, a proper watering technique ensures that moisture runs through quickly to avoid soggy roots.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, it’s not just about gardening; it’s about creating living spaces that resonate with nature. So let’s put this knowledge to the test! I’m eager to see how my anthuriums and other plants respond to this technique. Keep me posted on your own gardening adventures!

Learn More

For more tips on plant care and recovery techniques, check out these resources: Missouri Botanical Garden and Royal Horticultural Society.