Anthurium forgetii x nigrolaminum 'Gigi'

A Dutch-produced cross with two wet-forest parents

This hybrid has circulated from Dutch production and combines Anthurium forgetii, from humid low-elevation forest in western Colombia, with the ‘Gigi’ form of Anthurium nigrolaminum, native from Colombia through Ecuador to Peru in wet tropical forest. Its individual breeder and introduction date remain unrecorded. The two parent ranges provide the ecological background, while the named cross and its mature combination of traits belong to cultivation.

Care for Anthurium forgetii × nigrolaminum ‘Gigi’

• Light: Place in bright filtered light. Acclimated plants can take gentle morning or evening sun; hot midday light can mark the velvet surface.
• Watering: Water when the upper 1–2 cm of substrate begins to dry. Soak the root ball evenly, drain it fully and keep the moisture rhythm steady while a leaf is expanding.
• Humidity and airflow: Aim for 65–80% relative humidity with gentle air movement. Dry water from the leaf surface promptly.
• Temperature: Keep at 20–28 °C, with the root zone above 18 °C. Protect the plant from cold glass, draughts and sudden temperature drops.
• Substrate and repotting: Allow Anthurium forgetii × nigrolaminum ‘Gigi’ to establish a clear watering pattern in the supplied root ball, with the fine-rooted velvet-leaf root ball remaining firm and active; repot after the plant is stable and the next phase of root growth has begun. Later, use a pot only 2–3 cm wider and a fine, open mix of coco coir or peat, small bark and pumice or perlite.
• Feeding: Feed with a dilute complete fertiliser while the plant is producing leaves and roots. Continue at a lower rate whenever light and active growth slow, then return to the normal rate with fresh roots or a new leaf and flush the substrate with plain water every 4–6 weeks.
• Dark hybrid foliage and propagation: Stable humidity helps the dark emerging leaves open without sticking or tearing. Leave soft growth untouched, brush mature leaves dry and propagate from rooted offsets or node-bearing stem sections.

Yellowing, root stress and uneven new leaves

• Drooping with yellow foliage: If the plant wilts while the mix is dry and the pot is light, start with water; water slowly through the pot, then empty all runoff. Damp mix plus yellow limp growth calls for a root inspection; hold the next watering while you inspect the root zone. Normal ageing can account for one oldest leaf changing colour.
• Soft roots and the remaining firm tissue: Healthy tissue keeps its shape under light pressure; minor surface staining is less important than firmness. Take out dead root tissue while preserving every firm section; use a close-fitting container and keep the fresh mix lightly moist. Before cutting Anthurium forgetii × nigrolaminum ‘Gigi’, photograph the root system and confirm failure by texture; preserve every firm section, sterilise the tool between cuts and keep the crown stable while new roots develop.
• Browning along the leaf edge: Crisp tips after a light pot can reflect an uneven watering cycle. Continued browning in damp mix suggests accumulated salts, direct heat or root loss; move the leaf away from heat, flush the mix and inspect roots if damage continues.
• A dry bruise or enlarging dark spot: A firm dry spot with a fixed border is commonly physical or light damage; compare the same area again the next day. An enlarging water-soaked edge should be separated from the collection quickly; move the plant away from others, stop splashing and seek advice if the edge keeps moving.
• Small or delayed new leaves: When light is adequate, stalled growth usually brings attention back to roots and temperature; look for new root activity before expecting another leaf. Restore the normal 20–28 °C range and a bright filtered position; wait for new root or leaf activity before changing feeding.
• Thrips, mites and hidden feeding sites: Use silvered new growth and black specks to identify thrips; a dull field of tiny pale dots points more strongly to mites. Examine the newest leaf base, lower veins and sheltered folds; repeat the inspection on neighbouring leaves. Keep the plant away from others while applying a treatment approved for the identified pest; make each repeat application on the label schedule then inspect new growth weekly until four clean checks have passed.
• Dark new leaves opening unevenly: A dark emerging leaf may remain soft and uneven before it hardens. Stable moisture and humidity support the next leaf; pulling or unfolding it by hand causes permanent damage.

Anthurium forgetii × nigrolaminum ‘Gigi’ and pet safety

• Not pet-safe. This plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause immediate pain and irritation if chewed.

The botanical names behind this plant

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Litteratur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 828.

Forgetii honours Monsieur Forget, the collector named in the original account. Nicholas Edward Brown described Anthurium forgetii in 1906 in The Gardeners’ Chronicle, series 3, volume 39: 161.

Nigrolaminum combines Latin niger, “black” or “dark”, and lamina, “blade”: “dark-bladed”. Thomas B. Croat and D. Weber described Anthurium nigrolaminum in 2021 in Aroideana 44: 206.