Thanks, Mara! Good idea. It's interesting, the natural growing conditions of these (lava, on trees in rain forests, etc). I'm so afraid of it not getting good drainage.

Goodness, hope your sister is ok! That's wild. I'll bet it's gorgeous there, such spectacular flora in Hawaii.

The lava flow missed her by a 1000 Yards. The flow as of 4 months ago is inactive and flowing down towards Kalpana , the next town. She lived with it for 2 years, worrying that is would have a breakout, widen and come her way. It bent around her neighborhood and crossed her road just up the way. The lava forest floor is really lumpy and there is constant drizzly rain or downpours , so their is lots of moss and leaf matter, birds nest ferns . Ground is very fast draining but constant moisture so I would think the the bark is good . I know that they sell chunks of lava rock and a plant growing in a crack on the rock and some wired on sphagnum moss.

I honestly had no idea there was lava flowing near people like that! Fascinating, but yes, I can imagine it would be scary. I really hope to visit Hawaii at some point. Living there must be a dream (besides the lava). I get so weary of our heat and dryness here.

Lava goes where it damn well wants to . It is a glacially slow moving disaster.I apologize for getting off topic.

MizGG, I posted a lot of pics on the houseplant forum but despite this, I get no replies. If anyone here is interested in seeing different named varieties, I would be happy to post. Now onto your soil...

The soil mix comes from a university study but I cannot locate
the link just now. In case anyone is interested it is:

30% Miracle Grow Moisture Control potting mix

20% Peat moss

40% Small orchid bark (mine is very small about 1/2" pieces) with hardwood, charcoal and pumice mixed in

10% Perlite

Add a handful of finely cut sphagnum moss

My plants are watered when the top of the soil looks dry. I use Foliage Pro every 2-3 weeks. Hope this helps...

Terri in PA

Very helpful, Terri, thank you so much!

If anyone would like to see pics of those I am growing the post is here

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4023540/more-on-anthuriums-pics-of-some-favs?n=8

Beautiful colors!

I am addicted.

Don't apologize, Mara! I'm fascinated by flora and such in Hawaii. I may live there someday, just waiting to win the Powerball lottery. I'm looking at somewhere in the Caribbean, too. :D

The Pahoa side of Hawaii is the cheapest land (or used to be) around. The Japanese are great growers of Anthuriums and that is the where a lot of the old small nurseries in Hawaii are. They have great large ruffled varieties that I remember from the 70's and 80's.. The volcano is a spoiler but most people live in a determined "so what" state of mind about it and so far it has worked. I think 2 people lost their houses and it came within feet of cutting off the road that would cut off the whole corner of the island for a couple thousand people. Madame Pele is to be respected by just getting out of her way and doing nothing to stop her flow. The litigation system reinforces this because if you use dynamite or build walls to redirect her and then your attempts make it go onto someone else downstream, you will loose your house and everything else to lawyers. Best to just make offerings to the big girl in the crater. The town meetings in Pahoa were amazing to watch. My sisters partner in her land is a community leader and I kept my eyes on the community efforts. There is a lot to respect in that community. Love the internet. Amazing what you will find on Utube.

So fascinating! Thank you for sharing!