The Anthurium Clarinervium go by many names ranging from flamingo lily to velvet cardboard. The captivating beauty of the anthurium flower makes it an ideal choice for home gardens and office waiting rooms.
The heart-shaped flowers of the Clarinervium plant symbolize hospitality, joy, and wealth. Anthuriums have some of the longest-lasting flowers in the plant kingdom and will easily last for months under good maintenance practices.
Beauty aside, its compact stature makes the anthurium an excellent plant for small spaces. Anthuriums are easy to live with plants as long as you provide the right growing conditions. This article covers all you need to know about anthurium Clarinerviums and how to properly care for the plant to keep its flowers blooming and buzzing.
Overview on Anthurium Clarinervium
Clarinerviums belong to the anthurium family that includes over 1000 different species of plants.. The family is native to the tropical Americas, where they grow in the rainforest understory.
Anthurium Clarinervium is primarily a lithophytic plant, meaning it grows on rock surfaces or in rock crevices. It can also grow on top of other larger plant species.
Its lithophytic growing patterns allow the plant to get direct sunlight which is crucial for leaf and flower development.
This plant is native to Mexico, where it grows in the mountainous regions. It was first discovered in 1885 by a French botanist named Ferdinand Pax. The name “clarinervium” comes from the Latin words “clarus,” meaning clear, and “nerva,” meaning nerves – referring to the conspicuous veins on the leaves.
Popular plant species in the anthurium family include the flamingo flower (Anthurium andraeanum), the painter’s palette (Anthurium scherzerianum), and the anthurium veitenheimeri.
This plant produces white, yellow, or green flowers that blooms sporadically throughout the year. The flowers are small and insignificant compared to the dramatic foliage. They’re borne on spikes that can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) long.
Plant characteristics
The Anthurium clarinervium is a slow-growing plant that can reach up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall and 3 feet (90 cm) wide. The leaves are the largest part of the plant, and they can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) long and 12 inches (30 cm) wide. They’re dark green with noticeable white veins, and they have a leathery texture. The leaf margins are scalloped, and the leaves are attached to the stem with a long petiole.
Clarinerviums are compact plants making them excellent companions for small gardens and terraces.
The mature leaves are deeply-lobed, ovate, and can be eight to ten inches long. Its heart-shaped leaves have captivating whitish veins that contrast beautifully with the pale green color of its leaves. It’s young leaves a conspicuous reddish tint.
The leaves are stiff with a suede-like surface and a leathery feel. The plants are primarily herbaceous, meaning it lacks a distinct stem. It can grow as a creeping or upright plant.
In its native habitat, the plant follows a growth pattern where leaves emerge first to harvest sunlight, soon after the roots emerge to cling on to rocky crevices and draw essential nutrients. Stem thickness ranges from one to two centimeters.
Clarinervium flowers are smaller in stature compared to other anthurium varieties like Andreanums. Similar to its leaves, the flowers are heart-shaped but with a bright red coloration.
The flowers sprout in the summer and can last for about two months. However, the flowers can last much longer if you provide the right temperature and humidity growing conditions.
Anthurium Clarinervium Care requirements
Light requirements
Anthuriums are epiphytic, meaning they grow on the surfaces of other plants and rocks to ensure they receive adequate sunlight. The plants thrive under medium to bright indirect sunlight.
They can grow under low light conditions, but lack of light slows their growth and affects their flowering ability. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight leads to the scorching of leaves and flowers.
When planting your anthuriums, it is advisable to choose a spot near a sunny window. The plants will generally handle early morning and late afternoon sun with minimal hassles.
North-facing windows are excellent spots for placing your anthurium plants. Should you choose to put it under an east-facing window, consider installing a light sheer or setting the plant a few feet away from the windows.
Watering requirements
Clarinerviums require sufficient water to bloom healthily throughout their growing period. Being a tropical plant, anthuriums like their potting soil evenly moist but not too soggy. Too much watering raises the risk of root rot in your Clarinerviums.
The plants demand more water during the summer and spring. Anthuriums planted in bright light require more water than those grown in shaded areas.
Water your anthuriums at least twice or thrice during the spring and summer. Reduce the rate of watering during the colder times of the year. Generally, watering should be done when the first inch of the soil or substrate starts to dry.
Always check your plants for signs of water stress. If the leaves are drooping and the entire plant feels light, then it’s time to water your anthuriums.
Anthurium Clarinervium Soil requirements
In their natural habitat, Anthurium Clarinervium will grow on rock surfaces and crevices such as limestone outcroppings. When growing your plants indoors, use soil or substrate that is porous and well-draining. Soils with water logging characteristics will lead to root rot and other fungal diseases in your Clarinerviums.
Soils and potting mixes should have adequate organic matter and a PH ranging between 5 and 6. coco peat and peat moss are ideal planting media because of their excellent porous nature.
Adding compost to your planting soil ensures your plants have sufficient nutrients necessary for healthy foliage and flowering.
Incorporating compost into potting mixes also helps to condition the soil to boost drainage and moisture retention. Another handy trick when preparing potting mixes for your velvet cardboard anthuriums is to include orchid bark.
Orchid bark residues improve soil aeration while also matching the nutrient levels present in the plant’s natural habitat.
Location and temperature needs (US Zones)
The tender tropical Clarinerviums can tolerates daytime temperatures ranging between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and night-time temperatures above 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Such temperature ranges make it ideal for indoor planting on terraces. They can handle minor shifts in temperature but will likely suffer if it gets too hot or cold.
Avoid planting your anthuriums in direct sunlight or close to a heat source as a rule of thumb. High temperatures will lead to the drying of leaves and flowers. Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures will halt the plant’s growth and development. Clarinerviums can grow outdoors in zones 10 through to 12.
Special Tips for the Anthurium Clarinervium
Humidity requirements
Clarinerviums will grow best in regions with high humidity. They prefer humidity levels of between 70 to 80 percent. Anthuriums grown under low humidity conditions will require frequent watering to maintain the ideal moisture requirements.
During the summer, it is advisable to raise the humidity levels for your plants by misting or spraying the plant’s leaves with water regularly.
You can also increase the humidity levels for your indoor plants by installing a humidifier in the growing rooms. Placing pebbled water trays around your plants during the summer will also raise the humidity levels for your indoor anthuriums.
Fertilizer requirements
Clarinerviums do not need nutrient-rich soils to thrive. Adding too much fertilizer in the potting mix causes their leaves to grow overly large and turn yellowish-brown.
When transplanting, use a fertilizer that is rich in phosphorus to encourage root development and flower blooming. Fertilization should happen mostly in spring and summer, which covers most of the plants’ growing period.
Pro tips:
- Slow-release fertilizers are highly recommended when growing anthuriums.
- Foliar fertilizers rich in nitrogen are essential in supporting healthy and lush leaves.
- Fertilization should be done at four-week intervals during the summer and at six-week intervals during the winter.
- Use a ¼ strength liquid fertilizer for best results.
Water quality
Water quality dramatically affects the health, growth, and development of your garden plants. When watering, use clean water that is low in chlorine.
Use filtered or distilled water to avoid fluoride and chlorine build-up in the soil. High chlorine content can hinder the uptake of essential minerals that are crucial in blooming.
Additional Tips For Success with Plant:
Clarinervium requires proper planting practices to ensure they grow to their maximum potential. Choose a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight. Plant in well-drained soil. Water when the top few inches of soil are dry. Fertilize with a well-balanced fertilizer.
Below are a few planting tips to help you achieve the desired growth rate in your plants.
Size of the potting container
Clarinerviums require potting containers that are at least one-gallon size. However, you will need to monitor your plant’s growth rate to determine the best time to transfer your plants to a bigger potting container.
If the plant’s roots start to protrude at the bottom of the current planting container, then it’s time to move your plant to a bigger growing enclosure.
Potting mix
The potting mix should comprise high-quality materials that have good drainage qualities. The ratios and composition of the potting substrate will determine the plant’s overall health and development rate.
Coconut fiber, wood shavings, peat moss, and perlite are examples of good potting mixes for your Clarinervium plants.
Pruning
Pruning is beneficial for all plants in the anthurium family. When pruning, target the dead foliage and weak-looking stems to encourage the growth of new vegetation. Pruning also improved the plant’s overall appearance.
Pro tips when pruning:
- Always use sterilized shears to snip off leggy stems and dead foliage.
- Prune your plants at the onset of spring which is just before their growing season.
- When pruning, consider propagating any extra healthy stems.
Propagating Anthurium Clarinervium
Propagation of Clarinervium can happen by either root division or stem cuttings.
To propagate via root division, you will need to extract the plant from its potting container and carefully apportion the roots into two or three sub-sections. Plant each root division in a pot of its own and apply a suitable potting substrate.
When propagating via stem cuttings, you need to identify a young stem and extract a few inches long cutting. Place the stem cutting in a water tray and wait for a few weeks until roots appear.
Transfer the stem cutting to a potting container when newly emerged roots are at least one inch long. Water the potting mix and cover the surface with a plastic bag to raise the humidity levels. Place the newly propagated stem cuttings in a spot with bright indirect sunlight.
Repotting your anthuriums
Clarinerviums are slow to medium growers meaning their roots develop much slower than most houseplants. However, you will need to replant them into a different potting container every two or three years.
Transferring the plants to a larger container encourages more growth and ultimately boosts the plant’s lifespan.
Pro tips when repotting Clarinerviums:
- Gently extract the plant from its original container.
- Untangle the roots and remove any excess soil by shaking the plant gently.
- When propagating via root division, make sure there are atleast two healthy stems for each division.
- Using new planting media, prepare a new potting mix for your root divisions and stem cuttings, preferably coco peat or peat moss.
- Water the potting mix thoroughly and re-water when the topsoil layer dries up/
Diseases/Pest
Like any other garden plant, Clarinerviums are also susceptible to attack from diseases and pests. Below is a description of the top pests and diseases affecting Clarinerviums and how to manage them.
Pests
Red spider mites
As their name suggests, spider mites are tiny red-colored bugs that suck the sap from the Clarinervium leaves. Spider mites also thrive under warm and dry conditions. The easiest way to spot them is to check for weaves of cobwebs between the leaves. The sap-sucking mites leave whitish yellow spots on the affected leaves.
One way controlling spider mite infestation is by introducing their natural predators, ladybugs, and lacewings. Treating your plants with insecticidal soaps such as neem oil will eradicate the spider mite problem.
Additionally, consider keeping the growing area free of weeds and wild grasses as these attract spider mites. If all else fails, you can opt for any pesticide in the acaricide range to eliminate spider mites from your plants.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are tiny soft-bodied insects that survive on sucking sap from the leaves of plants. They are closely related to mealybugs and aphids. They are a common pest of many indoor and outdoor plants, including those in the anthurium family. The bugs are challenging to detect because they hide on the underside of leaves.
Similar to spider mites, whiteflies thrive in warm and dry conditions. It is advisable to plant your anthuriums away from hibiscus varieties because these are known to attract whiteflies.
The bugs are attracted to yellow objects, a trait that many gardeners exploit by installing yellow sticky traps to control their populations. Neem oil and homemade solutions comprising dishwashing soap mixed with water and vinegar will also suppress whitefly infestations.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are sap-sucking insects with a cotton-like appearance. The bugs attack plants when the environment is warm and dry. They prefer young anthurium plants with new foliage. To confirm a mealybug attack, regularly inspect the plants’ top and underside leaves where the bugs like to hide.
Mealybug control is possible with both natural and chemical remedies. Natural predators of the mealybug include lacewings, pirate bugs, and lady beetles. Neem oil and potassium-based insecticidal soaps are also effective against bugs. Homemade solutions of alcohol and liquid dishwashing soap mixed with water will also halt mealybug infestation.
Aphids
Aphids are part of a broad range of sap-sucking insects that includes whiteflies and mealybugs. However, they are a nightmare to many gardeners because they attack a broad spectrum of plants, including those in the anthurium family.
Aphids can have several colors ranging from orange, green, to black. They are tiny insects and can be challenging to spot with the naked eye.
Aphids thrive under conditions of low humidity and high temperatures. In the Americas, aphids tend to be more active in the spring and summer seasons when conditions favor their growth and multiplication.
Gardeners can minimize aphid infestations by planting their anthuriums in cool environments and high humidity, such as indoor gardens.
Gardeners can introduce ladybugs and lacewing larvae which are natural predators of aphids. Homemade solutions of garlic, onion, pepper, and liquid dish washing soap will also subdue aphid attacks on your anthurium plants.
Diseases
Clarinerviums, like other anthuriums, are susceptible to both fungal and bacterial diseases that can limit their growth potential.
Bacterial blight
Bacterial blight, caused by the Xanthomonas proteobacteria, is the most damaging disease for the anthurium family of plants.
This type of bacteria manifests in the form of yellow, water-soaked spots along the leaf margins. The blight-causing bacteria enter the plant through the pores on the leaf margins.
Punctures on the leaves that arise from pruning or insect damage also serve as potential entry points of the bacteria. This disease significantly affects the flowering quality of clarinerviums and can eventually lead to wilting and death of the plant.
The best control measure is to apply copper and mancozeb-based fungicides to the affected plants. Severely infected plants should be uprooted and discarded immediately. Gardeners can also reduce bacterial blight infestations by improving air circulation in their growing spaces.
Rhizoctonia root rot
Root rot has symptoms similar to damping off. It primarily affects young Clarinervium plants where the stems become water-soaked and girdled, making them unable to bear the weight of the plant.
Rhizoctonia primarily affects the roots and branches of young plants, but it can also spread to the leaves and shoots. The fungus that causes root rot lives in the soil and is spread by wet soil conditions.
One way to control root rot is to sterilize your soil before potting your plants. Steaming and solarization will destroy any Rhizoctonia agents lurking in the soil.
Secondly, always use well-drained potting mixes to prevent waterlogging conditions that favor root rot.
Lastly, consider propagating your plants on raised benches to improve water drainage. If the disease is widespread, consider using synthetic fungicides to suppress root rot symptoms.
Toxicity
Clarinerviums and other plants in the Araceae family are toxic to humans and pets. The plant contains traces of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause mouth and gut irritation when ingested.
In severe cases, accidental consumption of the leaves or flowers can lead to vomiting and swelling of the gut and respiratory systems. Consider placing your anthurium plants at a location that is out of reach from children and pets to prevent cases of accidental poisoning.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Anthurium Clarinervium
Can anthurium Clarinerviums thrive in alkaline soils?
Anthuriums prefer slightly acidic soils with a PH ranging between 4 and 6. Alkaline soils with PH higher than six will need acidification to mimic the natural growing habitat of Clarinerviums.
You can lower the PH of your planting media by adding compost manure. Vinegar also works well in lowering soil PH. When using vinegar, mix one cup in a gallon of water, then pour the solution lightly over the substrate with a watering can.
How fast do Clarinerviums grow?
Clarinerviums, like other anthurium species, have a slow to moderate growth rate. They grow to a maximum height of two feet and a maximum spread of three feet. Recently transplanted Clarinervium will take at least 12 months to reach their maximum size.
However, under ideal conditions, the plant can take less than a year to reach full maturity. Its leaves can take several months to develop from bud stage to full-grown size.
How can I encourage blooming in my Clarinerviums?
Clarinerviums are very picky about their growing environments. Water-logged soils and poor lighting conditions can hinder blooming.
The best way to encourage flowering in your plants is by providing plenty of indirect sunlight, sufficient watering, and maintaining high humidity levels. You can also boost looming chances by feeding your plants with phosphorus-rich liquid fertilizers.
What is the lifespan of anthurium Clarinerviums?
Anthuriums are one of the longest-lasting houseplants. Under good growing practices, they can live for more than ten years. Clarinervium flowers can last more than two months and will continue blooming all year round under ideal growing conditions. It is advisable to report your anthuriums every two years or when the plants outgrow their potting enclosures.
What is the best way to water an Anthurium Clarinervium?
The best way to water an Anthurium Clarinervium is to allow the top few inches of soil to dry out before watering again. These plants prefer to be on the drier side, so be sure not to overwater them.
What is the best way to fertilize an Anthurium Clarinervium?
The best way to fertilize an Anthurium Clarinervium is to use a well-balanced fertilizer that contains all of the essential nutrients. These plants prefer to be on the drier side, so be sure not to overwater them when fertilizing.
What are the ideal growing conditions for an Anthurium Clarinervium?
The ideal growing conditions for an Anthurium Clarinervium include bright, indirect sunlight and well-drained soil. These plants prefer to be on the drier side, so be sure not to overwater them.
What are the common pests and diseases of Anthurium Clarinervium?
Common pests and diseases of Anthurium Clarinervium include aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and root rot. These plants are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but be sure to check for signs of infestation or disease and treat accordingly.
Where Can You Buy a Anthurium Clarinervium?
The Anthurium clarinervium can purchased from specialty nurseries or online retailers. It’s not an easy plant to find, but it’s worth the search.
When you first receive your plant, it’s important to inspect it carefully and make sure that there are no pests or diseases. Anthurium clarinervium care starts with quarantine. Keep your plant in a separate room away from your other plants for at least a week. This will give you time to make sure it’s healthy before introducing it to the rest of your collection.
Conclusion
With proper care, Anthurium Clarinervium can reach a height of 3 feet and a width of 2 feet. They are generally long-lived and easy to care for, but be sure to provide them with the proper growing conditions and care. Thanks for reading! I hope this article was helpful.
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