Aroids to keep the orchids company

[estación seca]

These arrived as bare-root seedlings. Like I said I buy the cheaper, smaller ones on sale since I don't know what I'm doing yet. My friend told me not to be too fearful so I dove in.

Here is Anthurium forgettii white stripe:



and A. magnificum silver:



I tried to show the new roots at the bottom of the pot on the magnificum; they're the green squiggles above my thumb. You can clearly see the #4 perlite.

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by smweaver

I actually thought about getting a Philodendron giganteum. But after seeing how big it can potentially become in the right environment, I decided against it.

I bought three alocasias over the winter to provide shade in the sunroom: two of Alocasia 'Regal Shield' and one Alocasia macrorrhiza 'Black Stem.' They didn't do all that much during the colder months, but now they're making up for lost time. Since they "woke up" about two months ago, they've been putting out lots of new--and progressively larger--leaves. I'm now thinking this may not have been the best idea.

Thanks for a description of your potting mix for the aroids!

Really impressive alocasia varieties. Did you convert your sunroom for plant growing over the past few years? I recall following a thread on here few years back as I was doing the same thing. Unless I’m confusing your sunroom with someone else’s; probably a popular project with cold climate growers on here.

[smweaver]

When we built the house, the sunroom was part of the plan, and it was specifically designed to house orchids (you can only imagine what kind of kook I must have seemed to my partner when I explained which lot we needed--the one with the back of the house facing south, and unobstructed by any large trees--and why).

Unfortunately, the room's never been a great fit. During the summer when everything went outdoors, it was empty and always looked like we just moved in. And during the winter it was kept much cooler than the rest of the house (for the benefit of the orchids), and the evening temperature drop didn't really encourage anyone to go out there and actively use the room (my explanation to guests of why the room was meant for plants instead of people always elicited looks of mild amusement bordering on concern).

So over the last eight months I've been reconfigured the set-up to accommodate warmer growers that could actually stay out there all year (the view from the kitchen is now much better also). It now has everything (I think...) that I need: a cabinet and large sink with an RO unit feed and storage space beneath, a ceiling mounted fan that runs 24/7 for 365 days a year, two large humidifiers, etc.

[Leafmite]

The room looks really beautiful with the plants.

I wanted our home all those years ago because of all the south-facing windows (and south-facing sliding-glass door). I already told him that if we ever move, the new house must have a south-facing sunroom. We do what we have to do for our plants.

[estación seca]

I love your miniature Alocasias!

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by estación seca

These arrived as bare-root seedlings. Like I said I buy the cheaper, smaller ones on sale since I don't know what I'm doing yet. My friend told me not to be too fearful so I dove in.

Here is Anthurium forgettii white stripe:

Attachment 158806

and A. magnificum silver:

Attachment 158807

I tried to show the new roots at the bottom of the pot on the magnificum; they're the green squiggles above my thumb. You can clearly see the #4 perlite.

Nice white stripe forgetii, I also bought one last summer and it has been easy care. I like the idea of the clear large deli containers.

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by smweaver

When we built the house, the sunroom was part of the plan, and it was specifically designed to house orchids (you can only imagine what kind of kook I must have seemed to my partner when I explained which lot we needed--the one with the back of the house facing south, and unobstructed by any large trees--and why).

Unfortunately, the room's never been a great fit. During the summer when everything went outdoors, it was empty and always looked like we just moved in. And during the winter it was kept much cooler than the rest of the house (for the benefit of the orchids), and the evening temperature drop didn't really encourage anyone to go out there and actively use the room (my explanation to guests of why the room was meant for plants instead of people always elicited looks of mild amusement bordering on concern).

So over the last eight months I've been reconfigured the set-up to accommodate warmer growers that could actually stay out there all year (the view from the kitchen is now much better also). It now has everything (I think...) that I need: a cabinet and large sink with an RO unit feed and storage space beneath, a ceiling mounted fan that runs 24/7 for 365 days a year, two large humidifiers, etc.

The room looks really nice for plants and people. I always look forward to May when I kick the orchids outdoors; but now the anthuriums are inside year round.

I completely understand the southern exposure building lot. Passed on some opportunities for decent houses but the fatal flaw was damned conifers on the southern lot border owned by neighboring property; so no control of the winter sun.

I’d like to build a greenhouse but until find the right property have added a skylight to the small sunroom (solar tube type) to provide overhead sunlight for the plants. They responded well to it. This room was built for a whirlpool jacuzzi type tub which is rarely used. It’s now an expensive saucer for the plants above.

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by piping plover

I’d like to build a greenhouse but until find the right property have added a skylight to the small sunroom (solar tube type) to provide overhead sunlight for the plants. They responded well to it. This room was built for a whirlpool jacuzzi type tub which is rarely used. It’s now an expensive saucer for the plants above.

I bet your plants love that room. And the hot tub has to make watering easy.

A greenhouse isn't a possibility for me, thanks to neighborhood association rules. But that might be a blessing in disguise. I have a couple of friends who have extensive collections in greenhouses, and while they have amazing collections (I feel like a kid at FAO Schwarz when I visit them), they are basically slaves to the orchids.

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by smweaver

n greenhouses, and while they have amazing collections (I feel like a kid at FAO Schwarz when I visit them), they are basically slaves to the orchids.

I can understand. Definitely have to weigh the pros & cons. I think of some small family dairy/ livestock operations I’ve known over the years. Unless they had hired help they never got away.

[piping plover]

I finally got an Alocasia Amazonica. I know they are pretty common now but I’ve wanted one for decades. I recall seeing these in Graff’s Exotica books in the 80s but other than photos never could find them commercially available up north.

Surprised to read this is not from the Amazon jungle but a hybrid from Parents native to Asia.

Anyhow, now they are available in H. Depot; got it for less than $10. It was sentenced to death row on the 1/2 price cart.