Anthurium scherzerianum

There are hundreds of species of this genus, all members of the Araceae family. The majority are fairly nondescript and a few are grown for their handsome foliage. There are only two species which are generally grown for their flowers, Anthurium andraeanum and Anthurium scherzerianum. Both types are basically epiphytic and grown best in a mix of bark, perlite and fern fiber such as that used in orchids or bromeliads. They will grow in soil but rarely perform well in that medium. Anthurium andreanum is the florist anthurium, a plant with red, white or pink spatches which have an artificial, plastic-like look. Give a moderately high light intensity but avoid direct sunlight during the spring and summer months when the sun is most intense. A high humidity is essential as is warm temperature, 70-75 days, 65 minimum at night. The potting mixture should be kept moist, but not soggy during the spring- summer period and allowed to dry slightly between waterings from late fall through winter. A feeding of weak manure water and a fish emulsion may be given every two weeks from late winter to mid summer. Anthurium scherzerianum is much smaller plant with smaller, less artificial looking flower spatches. This plant is much easier to grow as it will bloom with only moderately humid conditions and will tolerate slightly lower temperatures. Both species have a tendency to grow up out of the pot. The exposed aerial roots should be wrapped in moist sphagnum. When the plant is eight inches or higher out of the pot it may be cut off at the base and repotted in fresh potting mixture. Plants will occasionally split and form pups. These can be divided when large enough. Plants are also propagated by stem cuttings and seed, both of which are extremely difficult without greenhouse facilities.

Real Hawaiian lava rock is hand selected to provide a happy home for Anthurium.With reasonable care your volcano bonsai should last for years. Place in a bright window or on a countertop without direct sun and just keep a small amount of water in the saucer/tray provided. Requires consistently moist soil.

See Photo Gallery of Exotic Anthuriums.

Antigonon leptopus

Naturalised in many parts of India. It is a vigorous perennial climber, known for its dense green foliage and small delicate lantern shaped flower in long trailing lovely sprays. The plant has large tuberous roots and several ascending branches of 30-40 feet length. It flowers in all seasons except for a short period during monsoon. The flowers are white or in attractive shades of red and pink. The creepers grow well over arbors, pergolas, and walls. Regular pruning keeps the plant in good shape. Too much food causes vigorous vegetative growth at the expense of flowering. Propagation can be done by seeds, layers, stem cuttings or from division of the roots.

Aphelandra scabra, Aphelandra panamensis

Aphelandra scabra is a shrub species that ranges from Southern Mexico to Northern South America and the West Indies. It is found mainly in seasonally dry forests along the Northern Pacific slope but it can also be found in some moist to wet forests. A. scabra is normally around 5 ft tall but it can grow taller. The leaves are simple, oppositely arranged on the stalk, and they are elliptical and entire with smooth or wavy margins.

The flowers of this plant can be red, pink, or purple red, up to 2 inch long, and tubular. They are 2-lipped, fuzzy and they bloom for one day before wilting. The A. scabra inflorescence is candle-like and the prepubescent flower spikes can grow up to 6 inch in height. The inflorescence has overlapping green bracts that are tinged with yellow and orange and they have extrafloral nectaries. Each day only one or two flowers open along the inflorescence to prevent self-pollination. The flowers have four fertile stamens and a slender stigma that is tucked into the upper lip of the flower. The flowers are hummingbird pollinated and the species protects its nectar behind a petal lip. When a visiting hummingbird arrives to feed on the nectar, the petal lip releases pollen down onto the head of the bird and it is carried away to pollinate another plant. The seed capsules are club-shaped,1 inch long capsules, and they contain four dark brown seeds. The seeds are flattened and irregular and they are dispersed ballistically, meaning they "explode". The fruit seed capsule splits along the sutures, which allow the fruit wall to change its shape rapidly and throw the seeds short distances.

Aphelandra sinclairiana

The genus Aphelandra has about 200 species of shrubs or herbs native to tropical America. The name is from Greek apheles, solitary, and aner, a male, referring to the single-celled anthers. A very tropical looking tender perennial shrub, up to 10 feet tall (3 m), or more. The rose-red tubular flowers are borne in orange-red bracts on 8 inch long spikes - very unusual color match. The showy spikes are borne terminally, many together. Can be grown outdoors in warm climates. Fleshy leaves get cold damaged with temperatures 40-45F, but the plant recovers easily.

Aptenia cordifolia

This plant grows best in full sun and tolerates poor soils, heavy or well-drained. Flowering is in summer and autumn. Easily propagated by cuttings or seed. The very similar A. lancifolia, sometimes refered to in the trade as A. cordifolia 'Fuchsia', is almost identical (the leaves are less cordate) except in being less vigorous, and with distinct magenta or fuchsia colored flowers.

They grow well on retaining walls and hanging baskets.