Do Anthurium like Worm Castings? Caring for Anthuriums at home requires fertilization.
Houseplants in pots need additional fertilizer as the soil’s nutrients are limited.
Plants need to be fertilized in the growing season in spring and summer. Anthurium plants, such as the Flamingo flower, produce more blooms if the right amount of nutrients is provided. When using liquid fertilizer, it is important to dilute it to 1/2 or 1/3 of the recommended strength.
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Do Anthurium like Worm Castings?
Anthuriums love worm castings. Apart from essential nutrients, it aerates the soil and makes it well-draining. Worm castings are a popular form of organic slow-fertilizer. It also has plant pest-repelling properties.
What Worm Castings Are
According to the University of Hawaii, worm castings or vermicompost are organic waste produced by worms. Worm farms produce it.
The worm poop derives from leaves, food scraps, and natural minerals. The worm excrements are nutrient-rich soil amendments. Worm castings are rich in nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K). Apart from macronutrients, it also contains micronutrients such as zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and more.
Apart from the nutrients, it also contains humus. Humus loosens up the soil and aerates it.
A further benefit is microorganisms such as microbes. These colonies support plant growth.
Vermi compost is an organic fertilizer that can also be used to repel plant pests.
Benefits of using Worm Castings for Anthurium
The benefits of worm castings are:
- Improves plant growth
- Enriches the soil with nutrients
- An organic form of fertilizer
- Is slow-releasing
- Difficult to overfertilize plants
- Does not burn plants
- It can be used for seedlings
- Aerates the soil
- Enhances drainage
- Increases water retention
- Contains microbes
- Contains pest-repelling properties
- Neutral pH level of 7.0
- No strong smell
Disadvantages of Worm Poop for Anthurium
Some of the main disadvantages are:
- High in nitrogen. It contains 3-4% more nitrogen than general soil
- Risk of overfertilization
- Can contain pathogens
- More expensive than chemical fertilizer
- Breaks down quicker than inorganic fertilizer
Best Fertilizer for Anthurium
The ideal fertilizer for a Tailflower is a balanced liquid fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 5-10-10 or 10-20-20 or 16-16-16 that is applied twice a month in spring and summer. Alternatively, organic or inorganic fertilizers can be used.
An organic fertilizer alternative is worm poop. Read more about fertilizer for Anthuriums.
How to Fertilize Anthurium
To fertilize Anthurium, you can use either liquid fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer. The plant’s age, the pot’s size, the amount of sunlight, and, most importantly, the potting medium influence the amount of nutrients needed.
To fertilize a Laceleaf, apply slow-release fertilizer that will last for several weeks or months in spring. If you fertilize using a liquid fertilizer use it every two weeks in the growing season.
How to Fertilize Anthurium using Worm Castings
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of the castings in 1 gallon of water (3.8 liters) to fertilize your Anthurium using worm castings. Apply it every two weeks From March-September.
After applying the fertilizer, flush your Flamingo flower with water to remove excess salts.
For proper Anthurium care, ensure not to overfertilize your aroid plant. Aroids are often epiphytes that grow on other plants and objects. They only require little fertilizer as the wind and water provide most nutrients. As well as decaying leaves.
Best Homemade Anthurium Plant Compost
The best plant compost for Anthurium plants is well-draining, holds water, and fertilizes indoor plants.
A great mix includes peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and manure. You can either buy compost or produce homemade compost.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.