Do you want to learn about a rare Anthurium hybrid? Say hello to another attractive member from the popular genus, the Anthurium Macrolobium plant.
This is a medium-sized plant and gets about 3 feet tall on maturity. Long, stalk-like stems bear deep-green foliage. Leaves are velvety and heart-shaped with pointed tips and curved edges. These are the edges that divide the leaves in lobes, referring to the name ‘macrolobium’, meaning ‘large lobes’.
All you need to do for this unique peep is some indirectly-lit space and infrequent watering. Want to know more? Keep reading for a summarized guide about the Macrolobium Anthurium Plant.
Anthurium Macrolobium Classification and Parentage
Family: Araceae.
Genus: Anthurium.
The parentage of the plant is somewhat unclear. According to popular opinions, this is a hybrid between two Anthuriums, Clarinervium, and Pedatoradiatum.
Genus Anthurium:
This is the largest genus from the Araceae family constituting about a thousand different species. Introduced in the old days of the 18th century, this genus includes both epiphytic and terrestrial plants.
The attractive foliage and flexible nature of these plants make them popular for both indoor and outdoor plantations. In season, these plants bloom showy flowers in bright colors. The typical foliage and long-living but seasonal flowers associate many common names. These names include tail flowers, flamingos, and laceleaf plants.
Features of Anthurium Macrolobium Plant
Size
The final size of the plant depends upon the space available for growth. On average, a mature plant gets about 3 to 4 feet tall with a similar spread.
Leaves
The leaves of the anthurium macrolobium have a typical velvety or leathery surface. The shape pretty much looks like hearts with long and pointed ends.
Flowers
Just like other Anthuriums, these plants bloom beautiful and prominent flowers. Long stalks bear typical Anthurium flowers.
To your surprise, these long-living flowers will remain fresh for about 3 months. Howbeit, Anthuriums don’t bloom frequently but in their specific season only.
Toxicity
Just like other members of the genus, Anthurium macrolobium is also toxic for us and animals. Close contact with the foliage can cause itching and allergic reactions on the skin.
Ingestion may result in swelling and discomfort of the mouth region and esophagus. So, make sure kids and pets are not allowed to mingle with the plant. Also, contact emergency medical aid in case of emergency and ingestion.
Resilience and long life
Anthuriums are known to have long lives. Proper care can keep your Anthurium growing for years.
Anthurium Macrolobium Care
Don’t hesitate to have one for your surroundings no matter you are a beginner or a busy peep. These easy-to-care peeps are good enough with the basic Anthurium Care.
Quick Guide:
Water: Low to average.
Sun: Dappled sun.
Humidity: High to medium.
Let us know more about “How to grow an Anthurium Macrolobium plant?”
Water Requirement
Anthuriums naturally come with low water requirements. The key here is to water the soil thoroughly and wait for it to dry out before you water again. Beginners can check the upper layer by touching it with a finger. Right after it gets dry is the time to water again.
The watering frequency of the anthurium macrolobium plant depends upon the drying pattern of the soil and the climate of the region. Availability of sunlight and temperature generally enhance the water requirement of the plant. Thus, people of warmer regions need to water more in comparison to the residents of cooler areas.
As an estimate, once to twice a week is generally enough for the warm days of spring and summer. While the outdoor plants may need more water, depending upon the temperature and sunlight. Alternatively, the water requirement of the plant decreases in fall and winter. Here, you don’t need to water more than once every two to three weeks.
Important Instructions:
Anthuriums have soft roots making them prone to root rot. So, make sure you never over-water your plant. The rule here is to keep the soil dry or barely moist but never soggy.
Sunlight Requirement
Dappled shade or the mild indirect sun is what keeps these plants happy. It will not mind a few hours of sun in the early hours or late afternoon. However, make sure it never stays in the bright sun for a longer duration. Else, it will scorch out or kill your plant.
The outdoor plant needs some well-lit space under a shade or a tree. On the other hand, the surrounding of a well-lit window is a nice option for the indoor plantations. Low light is something that does not kill them but stops them from blooming and looking vigorous.
Soil/Substrate Requirement
Choose a well-draining and coarse growing mixture for your anthurium macrolobium. This will help the soft roots to stay safe from sogginess or over-watering. You can make a suitable one by simply adding some sand and peat moss to the orchid mix.
The PH of the growing mix should be acidic with a value between 5.5 and 6.5.
Temperature Requirement
Anthuriums like to stay warm. Precisely speaking, a temperature range of 65 to 85 F is perfect for the plant.
The indoor ones are simply happy at your comfortable room temperature. However, the outdoor ones need a little care, especially if you are in the colder regions.
The reason behind this is their poor tolerance for cold and frost. It can not only disturb but also kill your plant. So, make sure the plant is transferred to some warm spot before the weather gets cold in the fall.
Another important thing here is their vulnerability to drafts and strong temperature zones. So, to save the foliage, keep the plant away from drafty windows and machines like heaters and air conditioners.
Humidity Requirements
Anthuriums have a repute to get healthy in high humidity. To be precise, a moisture level of about 70% or more is a good condition for your plant. Besides, an average humidity level of around 50% will also be enough to keep the plant alive.
On dry days, you have to take measures to cope with dryness. For this, you can use a pebble-water tray under the pot or use a humidifier near the indoor peep.
Misting is another easy way to provide some freshness to your plant. Experts even recommend misting your Anthurium Macrolobium plant daily or every other day, depending upon the level of humidity around. Howbeit, the plant must stand in a well-ventilated space. This is necessary to save the foliage from sogginess which attracts different diseases to the plant.
Fertilizer Requirement
Anthuriums appreciate the extra nutrition in the form of fertilizers. Use mild doses of good quality suitable fertilizers once a month or every other month in spring and summer.
Over-fertilization is harmful to the plant in the form of burnt foliage or even a dead plant. So, experts recommend using mild concentrations, preferably half of the stated dose. Moreover, never fertilize in the cold days of fall and winter. This is another key to avoiding over-fertilizing the sleepy plant with minimal nutritional requirements.
Pot and Requirements:
Anthuriums like to stay root-bound. So, you can use a medium-sized pot with a drainage hole at the base. Also, they don’t need any hassle of frequent repotting. The same pot will be good enough for the plant for a good period of two to three years.
Anthurium Macrolobium Propagation
Good to know that you are looking to enhance your Anthurium collection. The popular methods include:
- Propagation by Plant division.
- Propagation by stem cuttings.
Season:
The ideal time for propagation methods starts from the middle of the spring until the middle of the summer.
Propagation by Plant division:
This is the quickest method to get grown-up Anthuriums, ready to be a desired part of your decoration.
Method:
- This is a preferable method for a healthy plant with a good spread. Just loosen the soil around it and take it. You have to be very gentle and careful, as you don’t want to damage the roots.
- Once the plant is out, divide the roots and the foliage into two or three parts. Each part should have three leaf stalks in minimum.
- Now, plant these divisions in your desired place with well-draining and loose soil.
Propagation by Stem-cuttings:
If you are looking for an easier method, then opt for this one in comparison to the plant division. However, stem-cuttings may take much longer to become a well-grown decorative plant.
Method:
- Cut a few healthy stems with leaves on their top.
- Dip the lower half in growth hormone or skip this step in case you don’t have the product in hand.
- Plant the cuttings in a well-draining growing mixture and firm the soil around.
- Two to three weeks and the cuttings will start rooting followed by tiny shoots protruding out.
Initial Care:
Initially planted cuttings or plantlets need mild watering on the soil. Don’t drench the soil as you don’t want to wash away the newly planted feeble plantlets.
After a month or more, you can finally follow the proper care as explained in the previous section. However, don’t fertilize for at least three months in the beginning. This means no fertilizer for the new plantlet until the growing season of the next year.
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Summary
Anthurium Macrolobium is an evergreen hybrid, coming from the Anthurium parents Clarinervium and Pedatoradiatum. Dark-green leaves in heart shape, abstract lobes, and pointed tips grow on long stalk-like stems. These stalks join at the base to form a plant that gets about 3 feet tall on maturity.
These plants are happy enough with common Anthurium care, including infrequent watering and dappled sun. The medium size, flexible nature, and attractive foliage of the plant make it suitable for both indoor and outdoor plantations.
