The Aroid Thread (Araceae)

[Dartolution]

In light of recent years peaked interest in aroids, I thought I might create a Topic dedicated to showcasing these interesting, and sometimes uncommon plants. 

All of my collection are of course houseplants that I have kept for the last several years. 

3 things I have learned along the way:

1) POTTING MIX MATTERS - (and that doesn't mean it is going to work for everyone). Often more times than not, I see youtube content creators, or online articles suggesting various potting medium mixes and like most I have tried just about every one of these out there. 50% commercial mix +25% perlite + 25% orchid bark, or some elaborate version of this including various materials such as charcoal, vermiculite, coconut husk and/or coir etc.... 

After a lot of experimentation with ratios I finally settled on a blend that works best in my environment which is as follows:

2 parts Fir Bark Chips

1/2 part Pumice

1/2 part Chunky Perlite

1/2 part Tree Fern Fiber

1/4 part Vermiculite

1/4 part Sand

1/4 part General Potting Mix (peat based)

1/4 part Horticultural Charcoal

 

This mix seems to work universally for me and I have Anthurium, Alocasia, Philodendron, and Epipremnum. Even orchids, hoya, and heliconia have responded excellently to this blend for me.

 

2) Water Quality is paramount! - Tap water where I live is rich in lime,  has an above neutral pH (7.2-8.4), and contains more chlorine and heavy metals than most of these rainforest plants care for. 

I began harvesting rain water or using RODI water a few years ago and haven't looked back. All of the plants just respond much better with it, and I have far less crispy edges as a result. On the topic of water - I have found that humidity is far less important than most people believe. Initially I experienced leaf die off from more humidity loving Anthurium and Alocasia, however if they are otherwise happy with the potting medium, light, airflow, and water quality they produce leaves in my environment that are much more tolerant of average humidity. (Keep in mind that I live in the deep south US and I do recognize that our "average" humidity is greater than most of the continental US even in winter. By average I mean 45-65% year-round.)

 

3) Find the right light! - Dark corners or "bright indirect light" usually won't do (with the exception of some Anthurium with cone shaped epidermal cells on the leaf surface). Most of the aroids I have grown, specifically the climbing types, even if attached to a vertical surface won't size up unless they are receiving ample amounts of light either by artificial means, or within proximity to an appropriately facing window. 

 

Anywho- enough about all that, lets see some pictures! 

 

 

[Dartolution]

Philodendron rubrijuvenile "El Chocco Red" 

 

Philodendron verrucosum "mundiflora"

 

 

Epipremnum "Cebu Blue"

 

Philodendron hastatum 

 

[Dartolution]

Epipremnum "Manjula" 

 

Anthurium magnificum "silver"

 

Anthurium crystallinum 1

 

 

Anthurium luxurians (recovery from rehab)

 

Anthurium warocqueanum "esmeralda"

 

 

 

[Dartolution]

Anthurium crystallinum 2

 

Anthurium veitchii 

 

 

Anthurium regale

 

 

Anthurium warocqueanum 

[Dartolution]

Philodendron gloriosum

 

 

Philodendron patriciae 

 

 

Alocasia "Amazonica"

 

Alocasia "Silver Dragon"

 

 

Alocasia "Melo"

[Marie Nock]

Your plants look fabulous!  Congratulations!  Come down to the International Aroid Society's Show and Sale at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami on Sept. 16 - 17.ople are coming from around the world.