Aroids to keep the orchids company

[smweaver]

Thank you for the information on El Choco. I changed the label to Philodendron rubrijuvenile last summer, based on what information I was able to find. Taxonomists being taxonomists, there's probably a more than fair chance that the name will change again. So I won't waste another label for now. I appreciate your feedback!

Steve

[piping plover]

A. Pallidiflorum putting out ever longer leaves, I had to raise the plant to keep the leaves from getting submerged into the jacuzzi tub below. A. Veitchii s even put out leaves over the winter (photos 2&5). Also, my first new leaf on A. luxurians. Love how the texture catches the sunlight. Lastly, a grouping that enjoys the East light in the kitchen.

[smweaver]

Those are fantastic. I'm envious of the Veitchii, as mine decided to die on me (not, of course, that I had anything to do with that).

[piping plover]

Thank you Steve. And I hear you—-I think I have nearly $400 sunk into dead veitchii s, was an expensive learning curve. It hurts my brain and pride to do the math.

I know this might sound like fitness commercial, but this is the first time I’m getting defined “abs” (haha) —-on a veitchii —-that I’ve grown entirely in my conditions. I’ve done better with seedlings that I’ve grown out as opposed to buying bigger ones. Also, the ones I pampered did not fare as well. These in the kitchen are growing at approximately 40% normal house humidity and higher in the summer with screen doors open.

Good news: availability is improving at ecuagenera and prices seem to have dropped since 18 months ago. I recommend Ecuagenera USA because they arrive potted and more acclimated than the ones directly from Ecuador.

Originally Posted by smweaver

Those are fantastic. I'm envious of the Veitchii, as mine decided to die on me (not, of course, that I had anything to do with that).

[smweaver]

Maybe I'm being too nice to the plants--or, as you mentioned, perhaps if I'd started with seedlings that have had a chance to acclimate to my growing environment (instead of the car-payment-priced adults), the results may have been more positive. I'll still try veitchii again, as it's too attractive to give up just yet. I haven't had to dip into retirement savings yet, so I think I'm still okay.

[piping plover]

Philodendron species: verrucosum, melanochrysum, and sharoniae. I have these growing on moss poles in a humid box indoors.

My 1st attempt with a verrucosum was a disaster; so here’s a 2nd attempt. Apparently, they ship horribly, especially bare-root with fine roots. It’s outgrowing the box and will throw a fit, I’m sure, when evicted.

Sharoniae lost all its leaves after shipping a year ago and now producing flushes of tiny leaves as a restart on life.

[smweaver]

All look great. I too failed with verrucosum--and I agree with you that those fine roots, even when (like the doomed plant I received) wrapped in sphagnum moss, don't hold up well to shipped or transplanting. And this species is so expensive--even for the runts that I've looked at online--that I didn't want to risk trying another one. Melanochrysum is another one that, although I haven't tried, is a very tempting target to subject to my "talent." So far, however, I've been able to resist. Good luck with your plants. Maybe if you slowly acclimate them to a less-humid environment than the one you're maintaining in the box, they might perform better than expected.

Steve

[piping plover]

Thanks Steve. They are expensive, I agree. Even if you find a sale at ecuagenera, after adding in the shipping it’s nearly impossible to pay less than $50 for some of these. Ecuagenera USA still has the best prices for the quality I’m finding. And they ship potted.

Joseph

Originally Posted by smweaver

All look great. I too failed with verrucosum--and I agree with you that those fine roots, even when (like the doomed plant I received) wrapped in sphagnum moss, don't hold up well to shipped or transplanting. And this species is so expensive--even for the runts that I've looked at online--that I didn't want to risk trying another one. Melanochrysum is another one that, although I haven't tried, is a very tempting target to subject to my "talent." So far, however, I've been able to resist. Good luck with your plants. Maybe if you slowly acclimate them to a less-humid environment than the one you're maintaining in the box, they might perform better than expected.

Steve

[piping plover]

Anthuriums metallicum and marmoratum and queremalense:

I was reading an online article written by Jay Vaninni on velvet leaf anthuriums. He writes very educational articles on Exotica Esoterica; amazing photography as well. Anyhow, these three anthuriums stood out to me and reminded me vaguely of warocqueanums in less dramatic forms. The leaf sizes these can attain, along with their sheen and texture, are very appealing and I think worthwhile adding to my collection. These two, metallicum and marmoratum, just arrived today from Ecuagenera, FL. Amazed seeing the texture on the marmoratum and they sent me a big one too; just look at that stem 😁. I’m waiting on the queremalense to ship from Ecuador.

metallicum is first two photos below and marmoratum follows:

[smweaver]

They look exceptional. The dark leaves of the metallicum are really quite appealing. I'll be interested in learning how they perform for you.