Have you ever heard of the rare Belolonchium species, which is found only in the thick montane jungles of Venezuela? If not, then let us introduce you to that exotic beauty. Anthurium Chamberlainii is a beautiful climbing vine of the Belolonchium section of Anthuriums. It has tremendous leaves that change their color as they grow. These leaves turn from deep purple/burgundy to dark green upon maturing. It is a great statement plant that can be grown indoors without much hassle.
Anthurium Chamberlainii Classification
- Family: Araceae
- Subfamily: Pothoideae
- Genus: Anthurium
Distribution
It is native to Venezuela, where it is found in the rainforest of the State of Merida only! And that is why it is a rare aroid species.
Anthurium Chamberlainii Appearance
Foliage
This plant has fascinating foliage. The shape of its leaves is somewhere between ovate, sagittate, and triangular. And their color changes from deep burgundy in the juvenile stage to dark green when the plant matures. The leaves can be as long as 95 cm and as wide as 70 cm. Its broad leaves grow on tall stems, each 1 meter tall.
Size
The mature state of this plant has a height of 1.5 meters. It reaches its mature height in 2 to 3 years.
Anthurium Chamberlainii Care
Anthurium Chamberlainii is a tropical plant that needs 2 to 3 times watering in two weeks. It should be grown in a well-draining potting mix, preferably an orchid mix. The ideal humidity for this plant is 50%, and the ideal temperature range is 22°C to 33°C.
Quick Guide
- Watering: Every 4-5 days.
- Soil type: Orchid mix or perlite-based potting mix.
- Sunlight: Partial shade.
- Temperature: 22°C to 33°C.
- Humidity: 50%.
- Fertilizer: Slow-release fertilizer every 2-3 months.
Here is a detailed guide for your help.
Anthurium Chamberlainii Watering
Anthurium Chamberlainii needs moderate watering. You should water it thoroughly and deeply every 4-5 days. But if you live in a warmer region, this plant will need more watering per week. You should never water it from above; always water below the leaves. It is because not enough water will reach the soil through overhead watering due to the large leaves of this plant.
You can also water this plant using ice cubes. The ice cubes will melt, and the water will reach the roots slowly. You should use six ice cubes in a single watering session. This method is also preferable because it provides a steady and limited flow of water to the roots.
Soil Requirements
Anthurium Chamberlainii should be planted in a loose potting mix. This plant cannot survive in standing water, so it must be grown in a medium that drains excessive water. The potting mix should also have good airflow. Orchid mix has all these properties, so you can plant this Anthurium in an orchid mix.
Other than that, you can also use a mixture of potting soil and perlite to grow this plant. Perlite increases the drainage of the soil, so it prevents root rot. Pumice is an alternative for perlite. It also increases drainage and aeration.
Anthurium Chamberlainii Sunlight
This plant grows best in partial shade or dappled sunlight. Its leaves cannot tolerate direct sunlight. This is because this Anthurium grows under the thick canopy of trees in its natural habitat, where direct sunlight cannot reach its foliage. Low light conditions are not favorable for it. Low light can slow down its growth and leads to lesser blooms.
You should grow this plant near an east-facing or north-facing window. These receive bright but indirect sunlight. Also, an east-facing window receives 2 hours of the morning sun, which is healthy for its growth.
Temperature Requirements
An average room temperature in a home of a tropical region is perfect for Anthurium Chamberlainii. Its growth continues at an average pace as long as the day temperature of the surroundings stays between 22°C and 33°C. At night, it can tolerate lower temperatures above 16°C. Below this, this plant can get cold injuries.
Do not place it too near a fan, heater, or air conditioner. Due to the cold or hot drafts, its leaves can fall all of a sudden. A room where the temperature does not fluctuate much would be perfect for its placement.
Humidity
This plant does not fuss about humidity. Its humidity requirements are to place it in a room with moderate humidity. If the humidity levels are 50%, it will grow perfectly. It can also tolerate higher humidity levels, but low humidity has a negative impact on its foliage.
The leaves lose their rich coloration if this plant is placed in low humidity. Increase your room humidity by fixing a humidifier in your room. But if this seems an expensive way to you, you can always place your plant over a pebble tray. This traditional method of increasing humidity never disappoints. The level of moisture around the foliage is increased through the evaporation of water from the pebbles.
Fertilizer
This Anthurium beauty is not a heavy feeder. It needs to be fertilized after every 2 to 3 months only. However, You should use a slow-release fertilizer instead of a liquid one.
The correct way to fertilize this plant is to always water the roots first. The fertilizer should also be diluted before adding it to the roots. For every gallon of water, you should add only a half tablespoon of fertilizer. This will dilute the fertilizer to half its strength, perfect for an Anthurium plant.
Grooming and Pruning
The broad leaves of this plant do not need to be pruned unless more than 50% of their blade has turned yellow. You should cut this leaf along with its stem. Make sure you are using disinfected gardening tools for this purpose. You can also prune the plant if you want more growth.
Let us share an important tip with you. Never prune your plant from the center when you are pruning for more growth. This will kill your plant instantly. It is because the stems in the center are younger and will bear leaves in the coming days. It is better if you leave them unbothered.
How to Propagate Anthurium Chamberlainii
The propagation method used for Anthurium Chamberlainii is the same as the method used for Anthurium Argyrostachyum, Anthurium Arisaemoides, and other Anthurium species. All these plants are propagated through their stem cuttings.
Early spring and late fall are the best times for getting stem cuttings. You should never take a stem when your plant is still blooming.
Here is a step-by-step guide for your help:
- Take healthy stem cuttings from your Anthurium using a disinfected pair of gardening shears.
- This cutting should be 4 to 6 inches long.
- Do not take a leafless cutting.
- There are two ways to root this stem cutting: in water or soil.
- If you use the water method, change the water regularly.
- And if you use soil as its growing medium, use a well-draining and moist potting soil.
- In a month or six weeks, new roots will grow out of the stem cutting.
- You can then move this cutting to a new pot of bigger size.
Anthurium Chamberlainii Basic Features
Growth
This plant grows at a slow to moderate rate. Its growth rate depends mainly on its light exposure. In ideal growing conditions, its growth rate exceeds its average growth pace.
The USDA growth zones for this plant are ten and higher.
Anthurium Chamberlainii Toxicity
This plant is mildly toxic and not pet-friendly. If parts of its foliage are consumed in large amounts, they irritate the mouth and esophagus.
Drought tolerance
It is a perfect plant for those beginners that often forget to water their plants. This forgiving species can tolerate a fair amount of neglect, so it won’t die just because of some missed waterings. It is a drought-tolerant plant. However, it does not mean you never water it on time. After a specific time, when all of its conserved water will get used up, this plant will die. So try to follow the watering schedule.
Maintenance
Anthurium Chamberlainii requires medium care and maintenance. Don’t be disappointed if you are a beginner in indoor gardening; you can still grow this plant. Just learn its basic needs first.
Dormancy
This beautiful plant never goes dormant unless the light and temperature levels fall below a certain point, for example, in winters. As this plant goes into dormancy in winters, its growth rate slows down to almost zero. It is why it does not need any fertilization during those months.
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Anthurium Chamberlainii Diseases
Anthurium Chamberlainii is prone to fungal and bacterial diseases. If it is overwatered or placed in damp conditions, fungal and bacterial growth increases on its leaves. It leads to root rot, bacterial blight, and leaf spot. These three common diseases are potent enough to kill your plant. So, if you notice the symptoms of any of these diseases on your plant, treat them ASAP.
Pests
Scale insects and aphids are common pests of this Anthurium species. It can also get infected by mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites. The common signs of the presence of these pests are:
- Scales: These produce honeydews and form oval blisters on leaves.
- Aphids: These also produce honeydews and cause curling and misshaping of leaves. You can locate aphids on the undersides of leaves.
- Mealybugs: These leave waxy deposits on leaves, and black mold appears on leaves. These hide under the leaves.
- Thrips: these cause yellow spotting on leaves and flowers.
- Spider mites: These produce thin webs between the leaves and branches and cause white spots on leaves.
To get rid of these pests, you should rub your foliage with neem oil or rubbing alcohol.
Frequently Asked Questions about Anthurium Chamberlainii
Is Anthurium Chamberlainii a Rare Plant?
Yes, it is a rare Anthurium species, which is found only in Venezuela. However, it can be cultivated in tropical regions around the world.
Why Isn’t My Plant Blooming?
This plant is picky about its growing conditions. If it does not get all of its needs fulfilled, it does not bloom at all. So, if your Anthurium is not blooming, regulate its growing conditions. You can encourage its blooming by placing it under bright, indirect sunlight or fertilizing it with high-phosphorus fertilizer. You should also water it regularly and provide it with high humidity.
Will My Plant Bloom All Year Round?
Yes, this pretty species blooms year-round if cared for properly. The only time when it does not bloom is its dormancy. But if you want a blooming Anthurium in winters, move yours to a warm greenhouse.
Conclusion
Anthurium Chamberlainii is a great plant that can be grown indoors as its stunning foliage changes its colors with the development of the leaves. So, it can gorgeously beautify your interior space. This plant is considered an incredible houseplant, not just for its beautiful foliage but also for its air-purifying properties. Who wouldn’t want such an amazing plant in their home?
