Alocasia care

Alocasia

Let’s not beat around the bush.  Within a 10-mile radius from where you are currently situated, there’s yet another Alocasia sadly losing its battle to survive in the hands of a once enthusiastic, knowledgeable owner! But don’t let this put you off.  The point I am really trying to make is they can be tricky even in the most qualified and experienced hands. Weekly, on my travels, I speak to ‘beginners’ and ‘newbies’ to the plant world who are having no problems whatsoever. It’s not us, it’s them.  They originate from tropical rainforests and that’s where they want to be.  Warm and humid!  So, they’re not difficult, it’s just not everyone has the right environment for them to be able to thrive, or barely survive for that matter. One more thing that is quite important to point out, not all Alocasia species and cultivars require the same environmental conditions.  The Melo, for example, will happily grow with less light than the Black Velvet.  Therefore, the following is simply a guide, a goodwill gesture if you will.

General care.

  • Bright, indirect light. They can tolerate medium light but too much or too little will cause problems with the plant’s growth.
  • Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between watering and ensure excess water drains away each time you water.  The winter months will require a far lesser watering regime.  (If there is only yourself responsible for watering, try and get used to the weight of the pot with and without water, this serves as a good indicator, although I appreciate this is problematic with larger plants).
  • Alocasias thrive in humidity. Ideally the RH (relative humidity) will be between 60% and 80%
  • Ideally, Alocasias need temperatures between 18° and 28°. Avoid cold drafts!
  • Well-draining and slightly acidic. A chunky mix including perlite, sand and loam is ideal. Many people add worm castings, sphagnum moss, orchid bark and coco coir for drainage and nutrients.

Common problems can include.

  • Leaves drooping and falling. Not enough light.
  • Orange or brown scorch marks on the leaves. Too much light!

 

DORMANCY

Alocasia tend to go through a dormancy period as part of their natural life cycle. Triggered by three main environmental factors.

  • Daylight i.e. day length
  • Drop in temperature
  • Lower humidity levels due to the drop in temperature.

Don’t panic, this is the plants way to restore energy and resources and is very natural. 

There are three stages of dormancy.

  • Preparatory dormancy – Growth slows, and leaves begin to yellow and drop.
  • Full dormancy – by this point, most leaves have browned and dropped. The plant looks dead but DO NOT GIVE UP ON IT! This is all part of a very natural cycle.
  • Break dormancy – The most exciting of the dormancy stages! This is where you begin to see new growth induced by longer days and warmer climates.

 

What to do when your plant begins the dormancy cycle.

  • Reduce watering considerably. The last thing you want to do is rot the bulb.  Remember, if it is not actively growing it simply won’t use the water. However, you equally do not want to allow the bulb to completely dry out. When the soil appears completely dry, water a little rather than a good soaking.
  • The same applies for fertilizers. It simply doesn’t need them and will do the plant more harm than good.
  • Remove dead and damaged leaves. You ideally want to avoid them laying on top of the soil, inviting potential fungal and pesticide problems.
  • Keep your plant warm and place in bright, indirect light until new growth appears in the Spring.

Caring for your Alocasia as it emerges from dormancy.

  • Water thoroughly, but as always, ensure you do not over water.
  • Give your plant a feed. A nutrient boost of 10.10.10 but only half the usual amount.  It’s not ready for a full feed yet, just like we wouldn’t want a three-course meal first thing in the morning.
  • Ensure your plant is in bright, indirect light.

 

Preventing your Alocasia from going into dormancy.

It is becoming increasingly common for Alocasia collectors and enthusiasts to prevent their beloved plants from dormancy by simply providing artificial light, warmth and humidity.  There are no known consequences from preventing your Alocasia from entering a cycle of dormancy.