Here is another beautiful option for the fans of leafy foliage; the Anthurium Moodeanum plant. This is a tropical climber belonging to the rare origin of South America and Mexico. However, the easy-to-care nature and attractive foliage make it a common option in both indoor and outdoor plantations.
The leaves are Shiny brown heart-shaped in a juvenile state, maturing to get a classy deep-green look. The flowering season further enhances the beauty by blooming unique pinkish flowers on long stalks.
Thinking to enjoy this green and reddish beauty around? Please keep reading to enjoy a detailed guide about the care and propagation of the Moodenaum Anthurium plant.
Anthurium Moodenaum Classification
It is believed that John Mood cultivated this plant for the first time in the region of Hawaii. Also, abundant quantities are found in Mexico and a few regions of America.
Family: Araceae.
Genus: Anthurium.
Genus Anthurium:
About a thousand different species combine to form this largest genus of the Araceae family. It was introduced back in the 18th century including both climbing and terrestrial plants.
All the members of the genus are known for their beautiful foliage. Moreover, they have flexible nature making them popular in both indoor and outdoor plantations.
The unique shape of Anthurium flowers associates several common names with the genus. Some of these names are tail flowers, flamingos, and laceleaf plants.
Features of the Anthurium Moodenaum Plant
Size
An average indoor plant gets about a few feet tall. On the other hand, the outdoor ones enjoy more space making them grow slightly bigger.
Leaves
The juvenile burgundy leaves take about 2 to 3 weeks to attain the mature green form. On maturity, a Moodeanum leaf can get about 10 inches in length. They have shiny and somewhat leathery surfaces with prominent vein networks extending throughout the leaf surface.
Flowers
Although blooming is not common in this genus, the plant does display typical Anthurium flowers in the season. A pleasant pink spathe and greenish spadix join to form a long inflorescence. You will be surprised to know that these flowers live much longer than the ordinary delicate flowers of other genera.
Toxicity
The plant carries the toxicity of the genus, being unsafe for us and our pets. Handling them feely can cause irritation and itching on the skin. Furthermore, ingestion results in swelling around the lip area and allergic reactions in the mouth and oesophagus.
Thus, make sure you follow proper safety measures like:
- Handle the plant with gloves.
- Don’t let kids and pets nibble or mingle with the plant.
- Contact emergency medical assistance in case of emergency like ingestion.
Lifespan
Anthuriums are known to have large life spans. A little care can take them with you for years.
Anthurium Moodeanum Care
This plant is good enough with the typical Anthurium Care. All this is a no-fuss story making it convenient for everyone including the newbie, busy and lazy fellows.
Quick Guide:
Water: Low to average.
Sun: Bright indirect sun or dappled shade.
Humidity: High to medium.
Fertilizer: Mild doses in warm-season only.
Let us have a better understanding of “How to grow an Anthurium Moodeanum plant?”
Water Requirement
The plant comes with a medium to low water requirements. The basic principle here is to water the soil thoroughly and allow it to drain. Afterward, allow the soil to dry out and water right after the soil gets dry.
The watering frequency depends upon the drying pattern of the soil in your region. Plants staying in warmer regions and brighter light demand more water.
According to an estimate, around once or twice a week is enough for the plant in spring and summer. On the other hand, a dormant plant in colder days requires lesser water. Watering the plant once every three weeks is enough to keep the plant alive throughout the fall and winter.
Important Instructions:
The soft roots of Anthuriums are prone to root rot and don’t like to stand in soggy soil. The best way to avoid this issue is to combat over-watering. The key here is to never water the plant unless the soil gets dry or barely moist.
Sunlight Requirement
Choose a place with medium to the bright indirect sun. A dappled shade under the wall or a tree is a suitable outdoor option. While an indirectly lit window or some corner is a nice place for an indoor Anthurium plantation.
Never forget to rotate the plant every two weeks. This will provide even sunlight exposure to all the parts of foliage, resulting in an overall healthy plant.
Direct sun can scorch out the foliage and kill the plant. So, make sure the foliage never faces the direct bright sun for long hours.
Soil/Substrate Requirement
As mentioned already, these roots are prone to overwatering and rot. So, they need well-draining soil and coarse growing mixture with a PH ranging between 5.5 and 6.5. A peat moss-based aroid or orchid mix is a nice option. People opting for self-mixed potting soils should also add some sand or orchid mix to enhance the drainage.
Temperature Requirement
These tropical plants prefer to stay warm. An estimated range of 65 to 85 F is ideal for the plant. This indicates that the indoor plants will be well enough at a temperature that makes you feel comfortable.
Cold and frosting put a troll on Anthuriums’ health. So, make sure the outdoor plants are shifted to some warm indoor spot before the temperature drops in winter. This is important for the people residing in frosting regions.
Drafts and strong winds are other harmful situations for the plant. It can disturb and destroy the delicate foliage. Thus, avoid placing the plant in the range of machines like air-conditioners and heaters.
Humidity Requirements
Majority of the Anthurium plants like staying in high humidity. According to an estimate, a moisture level of 50% is essential to keep the plant healthy. Anything above it will be good for the foliage.
On dry days, you need to make arrangements to maintain the necessary humidity around the plant. For this, you can use a humidifier or place the plants in a group to enhance the overall moisture level.
Other methods include using a pebble water tray under the pot or misting the foliage. Howbeit, make sure the misted plant is placed in a well-ventilated place. This is necessary for the foliage to avoid being soggy or attracting fungal issues.
Fertilizer Requirement
Anthurium Moodeanum will love the added nutrition and you will see results in the form of healthy foliage. Use a good quality fertilizer in very mild concentration twice in the growing season only. A slow-release phosphorus-rich fertilizer is a good option. If you opt for liquid fertilizer, it may need you to use it every month.
A good way to dilute it is by adding 1/4th of a tablespoon in one gallon of water. Prefer watering the soil first with simple water before using this fertilizer solution.
Over-fertilization can not only scorch out the foliage but can also kill the plant. Thus, make sure you always use dilute concentration. Also, never fertilize the dormant plant in fall and winter. It is best to stop fertilizing right after the middle of the summer.
Pot and Repotting Requirements
Use a medium-sized pot with drainage holes at the base. Place a large tray under the pot to collect the drained water.
Anthuriums with their soft roots like to stay root-bound. So, don’t repot for a good period of two to three years or until the plant looks bigger for the pot.
Grooming Requirements
Cut the older or damaged leaves and stems with the help of sterilized gardening shears or a clean knife. This will make your plant look good and remove the unnecessary burden of damaged foliage from the plant.
Anthurium Moodenaum Propagation
Anthuriums are easy to propagate plants with popular methods including plant division and using stem-cuttings.
Season:
The warm days between the mid-spring and mid-summer are ideal for plant propagation.
Propagation by Plant Division:
A healthy and well-grown plant can be divided into two to three baby plants. This is the quickest way to get a grown-up Anthurium.
- Start with loosening the soil around the plant and take it out very gently without destroying the roots.
- Now, use a sterilized scissor and cut the plant into two to three parts, keeping at least three stalks in a single division. The roots of the plant are all woven into a ball. Use your fingers and separate the roots for each part.
- Replant each part into your desired place and enjoy enhancing your collection.
Propagation by Stem-cuttings:
This is a comparatively easier method. But you will have to wait for about three to four months to get a well-grown displayable plant.
Method:
- Cut a few stalks with healthy stems. let them stay for about two to three days to callous out.
- Now, plant these in a well-draining growing mixture and harden the soil around them.
Initial Care:
The newly planted cuttings and plants need to be watered mildly as you don’t want to wash out the soil. Wait for about a month after which you can follow the proper caring guide as mentioned in the previous section.
Summary
Anthurium Moodeanum is an evergreen tropical plant of rare origin. The long green stalks bear heart-shaped burgundy leaves which mature to turn deep-green. The plant is an easy peep, needing infrequent watering, indirect sun, and high humidity.
These plants carry the typical Anthurium toxicity. Thus, don’t let kids and pets mingle with the plant. Also, contact emergency medical aid in case of emergencies like skin irritation or ingestion by the kid or pet.
