Rules for planting and caring for alocasia at home
Such an exotic culture as alocasia should be cared for at home. After all, the plant is accustomed to a hot and humid climate. Lack of humidity or low temperatures can destroy this culture. All the beauty of the alocasia lies in its magnificent, huge and shiny leaves. The plant serves as a decoration for any interior. Alocasia grows well in a warm greenhouse.
Description and characteristics of the plant
The Alocasia is a houseplant native to the tropics, with huge leaves dotted with contrasting veins. At home, this culture reaches 50-100 centimeters in height.All representatives of this genus, belonging to the aroid family, have a shortened stem and huge glossy leaves on long petioles extending in different directions.
The leaf plate can be heart-shaped, arrow-shaped, thyroid-shaped or rounded. The edges of the leaves are solid or zigzag. The length of the leaf plate, depending on the type of plant, varies from 20 to 100 centimeters.
Alocasia can predict the weather. In times of high humidity, the leaf plate is covered with small droplets. Thus, the plant gets rid of excess moisture. Indoor culture growing in a pot begins to "weep" when overwatered.
The rhizome of Alocasia is tuberous or stolon-like. This plant rarely pleases with flowers. Small fragrant flowers of pale yellow color are collected in a spike of inflorescence, covered with a cover. After pollination, instead of flowers, reddish, rounded berries with seeds inside are formed. During flowering, leaf growth slows down, sometimes they fall off. Some owners, fearing to lose their beautiful foliage, specially cut off the newly appeared peduncle.
How to take care of
Room conditions are suitable for alokazia. The plant can be placed on a windowsill, but the leaves should be protected from direct sunlight.
Landing
Immediately after purchase, the alocasia can be planted in a larger pot, and fertile soil can be added. The best time to plant is spring. True, a plant purchased in winter can also be planted in a new pot. It's just that the adaptation will be more painful.
Ground requirements
For alocasia, a slightly acidic fertile soil is needed, which will pass moisture well into the pan and dry quickly.The base is leafy or grassy land. Peat, sand, vermiculite, pieces of bark, chopped moss and a little humus are mixed in it.
Choice and arrangement of pots
In alocasia, the roots do not grow in width, but in length. The plant needs a deep but narrow pot. Better if it's ceramic. There should be a drainage hole at the bottom. A little expanded clay is poured into the pot for drainage, then the roots of the plant are sprinkled with the prepared soil mixture.
how to plant
The transshipment method is not suitable in this case. The plant, together with the clod of earth, is carefully removed from the pot, then the roots are cleaned of the earth. This procedure is carried out in order to get a good look at the roots - whether there is rot on them. Before planting, the plant can be placed in water with a growth promoter for 30 minutes. Then the alocasia is placed in a pot and covered with soil. The collar should be above the soil surface.
Bloom
Alocasia blooms very rarely. A mature, fully formed plant produces a spike in spring or summer. Flowering lasts only 5-12 days. During this time, the plant has time to lose almost all the leaves. After flowering, the alocasia restores strength for a long time. If you cut off the peduncle at the very beginning, the plant will not lose its leaves.
Temperature and lighting
In the room where the alocasia is located, the air temperature should be 20-25 degrees Celsius. In winter, the thermometer can be lowered to 16 degrees above zero. In colder temperatures, the plant will begin to shed its leaves. A short stay in the cold can completely destroy this thermophilic culture. In summer, the plant gets enough sun.In autumn or spring, in the evening, it can be illuminated with a fluorescent lamp.
air humidity
This tropical plant with large leaves loves moist environments. The air humidity should be 70 percent.
Spray
In hot weather, alocasia leaves should be sprayed 2-3 times a day. The water is sprayed as a mist, not droplets. In winter, this procedure can be carried out less frequently.
watering mode
Alocasia is watered abundantly, but so that the water does not stand in the pot for a long time, otherwise the roots will begin to rot. Watering is carried out every other day. The land should be constantly moist, but not swampy.
Irrigation water is soft and settled.
Top dressing and fertilization
In the spring, when the period of active growth begins, the plant begins to be fed with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium substances. A small amount of universal fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation twice a month until the fall.
Transfer
Once every 2-3 years, the alocasia is transplanted into a larger pot. Drainage stones are laid at the bottom, the rest of the container is filled with slightly acidic soil. Alocasia, together with a lump of soil, is removed from the old pot and transplanted into a new one.
Size
This plant does not require pruning. You can cut only yellowed and dried leaves. True, they should turn yellow one at a time, and not all at once. A healthy plant gradually sheds old leaves and renews itself.
Breeding methods
You can get another houseplant by propagating this culture. There are several methods available to any florist.
Using nodules on the roots
The plant can be propagated using tubers that appear on the roots.When transplanting, the brown nodules are cut off, the lighter ones are left, they are still very young and not ready for growth. Tubers are planted in separate pots and watered as usual.
Division of the rhizome
In the spring, when transplanting, the bush can be divided into two parts. The roots are cleaned from the ground and carefully cut so that each cutting has its own leaves or growth buds. The cut is sprinkled with activated charcoal. The divided plant is planted in separate pots and watered abundantly.
Cuttings
In the spring, a leaf with the stem pulp is cut off. Cut a stem 11 centimeters long. Places of cuts are sprinkled with crushed charcoal. Then the cutting is placed in water with a growth stimulator for a day. Then they are planted in a peat-sand mixture. Rooting takes place within 2-4 weeks.
Seeds
Alocasia seeds are not available in stores. You can collect them after the plant blooms. True, you should immediately sow the seeds in the ground, as they quickly lose germination. Alocasia seeds are scattered on moistened fertile soil and covered with a transparent film. From time to time, the ground needs to be watered and aerated. After some time (18-23 days), seedlings appear.
Seedlings are regularly cared for, and after the appearance of 3 leaves they dive into separate buckets.
Diseases, pests and growing problems
With improper care, the plant becomes ill and is affected by pests. Under favorable conditions, alocasia pleases flower growers with lush green foliage all year round.
Aphid
This tiny greenish, soft-bodied insect feeds on the sap of plants.Leaves affected by aphids become covered with yellowish spots and wrinkles. Spraying with soapy water or Tanrek insecticide saves the insect.
Shield
It is a tiny brownish insect covered with a semicircular shield. It feeds on plant sap. At first, spots appear on the leaves, a sticky secret, then they turn yellow and die. Getting rid of insects is very difficult. Shields protect them from various chemicals. The scabbard is washed from the leaves with a cotton swab dipped in soapy water. Then the alocasia can be irrigated with Aktara or Fufanon insecticide.
Thrips
Oblong brown insects living in the ground. They damage the roots and leaves of the alocasia. Insecticides save insects: Actellik, Aktara, Fufanon.
Spider
It is a small reddish insect that weaves a fine web on the back of the leaf. It feeds on the sap of alocasia, which leads to yellowing of the leaves. Spraying with cold soapy water or acaricides (Apollo) is spared by the tick.
cochineal
They are tiny white insects that feed on the sap of alocasia. The spots and yellowing of the leaves testify to their vital activity. To protect against pests, insecticides are used: Aktara, Fitoverm, Mospilan. Insects should be shaken off the leaves with a brush or cotton swab dipped in soapy water.
Sunburn
Alocasia leaves should be protected from direct sunlight. It is better to shade the plant standing on the windowsill with a curtain at noon.
Root rot
If the alocasia grows on heavy soil, then with excess moisture the roots will begin to rot.In this case, the alocasia should be removed from the pot, the roots should be freed from the ground, all rotting parts should be removed, and the cut sites should be sprinkled with activated carbon. Then the plant should be planted in a loose, light substrate that will quickly pass water. The culture can be treated with Fundazole solution.
Brown bloom on the leaves
If brown spots appear on the leaf plates, the plant is suffering from excess moisture. In addition, he developed a fungal infection. In this case, watering should be reduced, and alocasia should be treated with fungicides (Topsin, Fundazol).
growing too slowly
A houseplant grows and develops slowly if it lacks nitrogenous substances. You can feed the culture with a weak urea solution.
Pale foliage
The leaves turn pale if they lack sunlight. In this case, the plant should be placed on the windowsill.
falling leaves
Before falling off, the leaves of alocasia turn yellow or become covered with spots, sores. There could be several reasons: insect damage, fungal infections, insufficient watering or excess humidity. The plant should be carefully examined and treated with an insecticide or fungicide. You also need to adjust the watering mode.
Blackening and drying of leaves
Brown, dry leaf tips indicate that the indoor air is too dry, and the alocasia lacks moisture. It is advisable to regularly spray the foliage and water the plant every other day.
Complete abscission of the flower
The plant can wither and completely lose its foliage if it is rarely watered or, conversely, flooded. Dangerous fungi begin to grow in swampy soils.
Leaves can be avoided by transplanting the alocasia into a loose substrate that allows water to pass well and by watering a little every other day.
Whitefly
A miniature white butterfly that feeds on alocasia sap and lives on the underside of leaves. The following drugs save from whitefly: Confidor, Actellik, Fufanon.
Varieties
There are about 70 varieties of alocasia. All plants of this genus have beautiful, huge, shiny leaves.
amazonian
A plant with a lush rosette of heart-shaped oblong leaves. White veins are clearly visible on the surface.
Sander
Tall plant with oblong heart-shaped leaves. The edges of the leaf plate are zigzag, and slight ribbing is visible from above.
Lowe
The leaves of this culture are oblong, heart-shaped. The leaf plate has a white border and light streaks.
Klobuchkovaya
Alocasia with lush green foliage. The leaf plate is heart-shaped and has a shiny, slightly swollen surface.
copper red
This culture has oval, pointed-tipped, shiny leaves with conspicuous veins. The leaf plate shimmers in green, pink, light brown.
big root
This variety has a fleshy stem, on which large bright green leaves are arranged in a regular order. The length of the sheet reaches 1 meter.
Smelly
Tall plant with huge green leaves. The leaf plate is cordate and slightly oblong.
The Dragon
The leaf color resembles dragon scales. The blade is rounded, oblong, slightly swollen, with light green stripes between dark, almost black veins.
Secret red
This variety has large glossy leaves with a wavy surface. Coloring - silver-green, with a reddish tint.
toddler
Alocasia with oblong, pointed leaves. The leaf blade is dotted with white-green veins.
Venti
This culture has wide heart-shaped leaves. The color of platinum foil is greenish above and dark red below.
Black corduroy
Alocasia has rounded leaves with a pointed tip. The leaf plate is velvety, dark green, with white veins.
Polly
It is a short plant with a lush rosette of basal leaves on long petioles. The leaf plate has the shape of an arrow, its length is almost 50 centimeters, large white veins are clearly visible from above.
Amazon
The leaves are elongated, shiny, green, with a white border and light veins. The edges are wavy, like those of oak leaves.
Seasonal Content Features
At the end of autumn, a dormant period begins, which lasts all winter. Alocasia can be removed from the windowsill, watered less often, do not fertilize with anything. In the spring, the plant is again exposed to the closest to the sun, watered abundantly, sprayed and fed every 2 weeks.
About the poison of a flower
All parts of this plant are poisonous. Alocasia juice irritates the skin. Once inside, it can lead to poisoning, cause paralysis and respiratory arrest.
Medical properties
This plant also has medicinal properties. A leaf decoction is used as an anesthetic agent and enhances immunity. Microdoses of this poisonous plant destroy young cancer cells. True, you need to adhere to the correct dosage, otherwise the drug will turn into poison.
Tips and tricks from experienced gardeners
When growing alocasia at home, you should follow these tips:
- the soil in the pot should always be moist;
- every 2 years it is advisable to transplant the alocasia into a new pot;
- it is better not to keep the plant in the nursery;
- if alocasia is on the windowsill, it should be shaded at noon, protecting it from direct sunlight.