Anthurium bakeri

From shaded positions in the rainforest canopy

Anthurium bakeri ranges from Chiapas through Central America into north-western South America. It is a rosette-forming epiphyte of wet tropical forest; field work in Costa Rica found it mainly in lower, more shaded parts of the canopy rather than exposed upper branches. Its roots occupy bark, trapped litter and other small organic pockets above the ground.

Care for epiphytic Anthurium roots and foliage

• Leaf care and propagation: Keep the short stem and crown open to moving air, and leave room for the narrow leaves to spread or hang from the pot. Rinse hardened leaves gently and propagate from a rooted offset or a short stem section carrying at least one viable node and active root.
• Settling in, watering and root care: Let Anthurium bakeri settle in its nursery container, keeping the rosette crown dry and checking the outer roots when watering. Change the mix after fresh roots appear.
• Light: Give bright filtered light so the short-stemmed epiphytic rosette remains compact and evenly developed. Acclimated leaves tolerate gentle morning or evening sun.
• Watering: Water when the surface begins to dry while the centre remains slightly moist. Soak the pot evenly and let the airy root zone drain fully, checking the compact crown before the next watering.
• Humidity and airflow: Maintain high humidity with airflow around the compact stem, crown, exposed roots and narrow leaf undersides.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anthurium bakeri

• Flexible leaves and yellowing: A light container, dry upper root zone and flexible narrow leaves show that the roots need water; soak the entire compact root ball evenly, then allow complete drainage around the short-stemmed crown. Yellow limp leaves while the base stays damp point to lost air around the roots.
• A buried or crowded crown: A deep planting position or debris trapped between the short stem and leaf bases can hold moisture against the crown. Keep the crown above the mix, remove decaying litter carefully and preserve airflow through the compact rosette while new roots remain anchored.
• Fine feeding marks and pest residue: Thrips mark opening leaves, while scale and mealybugs settle along the narrow undersides, short stem and crowded leaf bases. Inspect the crown, both leaf surfaces and the pot rim. Isolate, clean visible pests from each occupied junction, apply a product labelled for the pest and repeat at the stated interval.
• Root aeration and damaged sections: Keep roots that feel firm at the base and along attached nodes. Remove hollow or slippery sections using a clean sharp cutting tool, secure the short stem in a coarse snug mix and keep living aerial roots within the aerated root zone while the crown remains above the surface.
• Dry edging around the blade: Brown tips may begin with rapid drying through the compact root ball, accumulated salts or dry air around exposed roots. Check the outer and central root zones separately, flush the pot thoroughly and restore even moisture around every active root.

Anthurium bakeri is toxic to pets

• Anthurium bakeri is toxic to cats and dogs.
• Chewing releases insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause immediate mouth pain, drooling and difficulty swallowing.
• Contact a veterinarian promptly after suspected chewing, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Flower and tail in Greek and the botanist John Gilbert Baker

Bakeri commemorates the botanist John Gilbert Baker. The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix.