How to repot anthuriums

When is the Best Time to Re-pot Anthuriums?

• Roots are growing through the drainage holes of the pots.
• There is dying or wilting foliage even after watering.
• There is a long, elongated stem with no lower leaves.

How to do it

1. Water the plant well a few hours before repotting, as a moist root ball is much easier to work with and reduces transplant stress.
2. Now slide the anthurium out of the pot and tease the root ball, removing excess soil and releasing the roots.
3. If there are multiple stems that need to be divided, use a pair of sharp, clean secateurs and cut through the roots to divide the offsets. Remove any dead or damaged leaves and brown leaf scales on the stem of the plant.
4. The offsets normally have long stems that need to be shortened. As a rule of thumb, leave about 5cm of stem below the leaves. You will notice little roots along the stem, which is the start of your new root system.
5. Repot into a pot one or two sizes larger than the existing pot. Place gravel in the base of the pot for drainage and to prevent the soil from escaping through the holes. Try and match up the soil type to the original mix – this is normally a mix of 1 part peat, 1 part perlite and 3 parts potting soil. (An orchid bark mix can be used instead of peat and perlite.) Place a small amount of the mixture on top of the gravel, filling the pot to one third. Place the offset into the pot, ensuring that the top of the offset where the leaves emerge is level with the lip of the pot.
6. Now fill the pot with the soil mixture, then tap the pot vigorously to ensure that the soil mixture secures and anchors the new offset. Water well with a mixture of EcoBuz Startgro and place the newly potted anthuriums in a well-lit position.