Family: Araceae
Scientific name: Anthurium chamberlainii X
Common name: Anthurium
Origin: Venezuela

The leaves of this rare species are first coloured dark purple and only later do they get their final dark green colour. This phenomenon occurs regularly in plants and ensures that young leaves do not appear attractive to herbivores. The size and sheen of the leaves makes this species look quite spectacular. The leaves can reach 80 cm and the height of the plant can eventually reach about 150 cm. That is relatively large for an Anthurium and especially for an epiphytic species. 

In the wild, the species is rare, with sightings coming from the department of Mérida in western Venezuela. At altitudes between 1500 and 1800 metres where there are moist mountain forests. It thus grows as an epiphyte in trees and produces an inflorescence with a red spathe and a pink spadix. In nature (and thus in the wild species), the inflorescence is shaped differently and has a more red colour. The leaves are also shaped differently from the chamberlainii kept in culture. The seeds we offer are from culture and not from a wild specimen. 

Provide a very airy soil mixture with e.g. Sphagnum, bark and perlite. Or e.g. orchid soil. The soil should be constantly slightly moist and further ensure a bright location without direct sunlight. It is best to keep the humidity above 60% and the temperature between 20 and 28grC. 

Sowing description: The germinated seed can further develop in Sphagnum moss at 22-28grC. When a first leaf forms, transfer to a well-drained soil mixture.       

Sowing time: Year-round
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 15 degrees Celsius