Aroids to keep the orchids company

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks Steve. Appears they’re more cool growing types so may be happier in my sunroom in winter when temps range from 50-62 F during coldest months and 65-85 F in summer months. A little too cool for some of the tropicals, but adding a separate zone for that room might be prohibitively expensive.

[PuiPuiMolcar]

After going back and forth of carnivorous plants, I find keeping them to be very messy for my growing style. Aroid while are beautiful and easy for me to care, I find them grow too fast for me to upkeep the space they are taking. Now I moved on to gesneria, and I think I have found the sweet spot of orchid companion that works for me. The only downside is that, gesneria is unpopular among hobbiyest that it's hard for me to find a vendor or community dedicated to them.

[piping plover]

Some of my aroids have decided that they are better than the orchids and wanted their own space. Am Finding that even though the anthurium worocqueanum will sustain as a houseplant it needs higher humidity than the rest. Has trouble with leaves unfurling and getting caught in themselves; distorting and tearing the leaves. Unintentional experiment as I had one under a plastic tent and had no issues unfurling where as the other one had issues and would not hold more than 2 leaves. Anyways, I bought this glass cabinet to grow and display the waroqus and other sensitive aroids. Holding at over 70-80% humidity and 70 degrees F. Small fan inside for good circulation. We’ll see how they respond over the next months.

[smweaver]

Hello, Joseph. How are your aroids doing? I'm especially interested to know how your Philodendron verrucosum has performed. Most of mine are still doing well. A friend just gave me a rooted cutting of his Monstera deliciosa albo variegata. I haven't tried a monstera before now, so this should be interesting. His two plants are beasts, and I have a feeling that he has been giving away several of his smaller plants out of desperation in order to get his wife to stop hounding him about the lack of space for humans in their home. I told him that if the baby he gave me looked like it was starting to go downhill, I would bring it back rather than kill it. His wife actually followed me out to my car when I left their home, telling me in a lowered voice that if I brought the plant back, my life might be in danger. I felt like I was on an episode of The Sopranos.

Steve

[piping plover]

Hi Steve, good hearing from you. Your story about the Monstera gave me a good chuckle while having my morning coffee. And I completely understand, as It would take a very patient spouse to put up with my plant collection antics.

And Good luck with the new Monstera. I know the regular Monsteras are virtually indestructible.

The P. Verrucosum: I removed from the moss pole and propagated cuttings. If IN was easy driving distance from RI, I’d bring you one.

It Seems to be doing well now . The plant must have come with spider mites as I don’t see them on any other plants.

Anyhow, a long story, but I needed to remove from moss pole because it was impractical to maintain in the glass cabinet. I was having to mist the plant undersides and treat for mites but the constant wetness then led to rotting problems.

So, now is growing with a bamboo stake. One in the glass cabinet with the warocqueanums and the others in regular room conditions. Some pics below.

A few others I’m growing here in the cottage kitchen. The bulk of my aroids are growing in the sunroom.

[smweaver]

The verrucosum looks good. I tried two of them last year, and they both died on me. So I've done well with everything so far except for Philodendron verrucosum and Anthurium regale. I did have to get rid of the Alocasia regal shields, which became small trees in a very short period of time.

The Monstera "Thai Constellation" that I received from my friend is doing well so far. I'm going to pick up a Monstera borsigiana albo something or other from him this weekend, along with another Thai Constellation--and his wife is so pleased that she is going to make dinner!

[piping plover]

Yeh, the regales have been difficult for me too. They are called one-leaf wonders by plant people. I have not figured out the secret with them yet.

Sounds like another good addition to your sunroom with the plant your friend is giving you.

Once I clear out my sunroom I’ll be able to see some aroids I have not seen in months. I have not seen my metallicum since bringing in all the plants last October. I’ll post some pictures if I find anything interesting.