Anthurium besseae aff. × forgetii

The parent-species background of this Anthurium hybrid

This cultivated hybrid combines a plant resembling Anthurium besseae with Anthurium forgetii. The abbreviation “aff.” records that the first parent’s exact identity remains open. Anthurium forgetii grows in humid low-elevation forest in western Colombia.

Care for velvet Anthurium foliage and roots

• Leaf care and propagation: Keep expanding velvet leaves away from contact and remove dust only after they harden, using a dry soft brush. Propagate from rooted offsets or a node-bearing stem section.
• Substrate and repotting: Treat the existing container as the reference point for Anthurium besseae aff. × forgetii: observe drainage, pot weight and the response of the fine-rooted velvet-leaf root ball, then schedule repotting around active roots instead of an arbitrary number of days.
• 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 layer of the 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 high humidity with gentle air movement. Dry water from the leaf surface promptly.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anthurium besseae aff. × forgetii

• A drooping crown or yellow blade: A dry light container explains the wilt; water slowly through the pot, then empty all runoff. Wilting in wet mix suggests oxygen loss around the roots; hold the next watering while you inspect the root zone. One ageing leaf at the base is common when newer growth remains healthy.
• Restoring stability after root loss: Firm pale or tan roots still support the plant; minor surface staining is less important than firmness. Remove clearly hollow or slippery root sections with clean scissors; use a close-fitting container and keep the fresh mix lightly moist.
• Pests in grooves, lobes and junctions: Thrips damage appears as silver feeding lines and dark waste spots; a dull field of tiny pale dots points more strongly to mites. Search folded new leaves and dry sheaths and the full lower leaf surface; repeat the inspection on neighbouring leaves. Quarantine the plant and apply a houseplant product whose label names the pest; keep to the product label for repeat timing then follow the product label for repeat checks.
• Creases on new leaves: Soft new leaves can crease where they touch nearby foliage. Give each blade open space, maintain stable moisture and wait until it hardens before brushing the surface.
• A crisp margin on new or old growth: Crisp tips after a light pot can follow an uneven watering cycle. When moisture is adequate, edge damage often comes from salts, heated glass or weak roots; move the leaf away from heat, flush the mix and inspect roots if damage continues.

Anthurium besseae aff. × forgetii is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Who first published Anthurium besseae and Anthurium forgetii, and what do the names mean?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Besseae honours the plant collector Libby Besse. Forgetii honours Monsieur Forget.

In this hybrid label, aff. indicates that the first parent resembles Anthurium besseae but is not identified as that species with certainty.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Anthurium in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 828.

Thomas Bernard Croat first described Anthurium besseae in 2005 in Novon, volume 15, page 84.

Nicholas Edward Brown first described Anthurium forgetii in 1906 in Gardeners’ Chronicle, series 3, volume 39, page 161.