Alocasia

 
алоказия

Aroid family. Homeland South America. There are about 80 species in nature. A rare plant loving greenhouse conditions (moisture and heat) and therefore not widely used among flower growers. Alokasia is a beautiful houseplant, with large swept-oval (or heart-shaped) leaves, of which there are no more than 6-7. The most common species are:

  • Amazonian Alocasia amazonica - stem up to 15 cm high, petioles 40-60 cm pinkish-green with transverse strokes, with dark leaves and white bright veins on them, leaf length about 40-50 cm
  • Alocasia clubfoot Alocasia cucullata - thick stem - 3-6 cm in diameter, petioles 30-40 cm, heart-shaped leaves, shiny bright or dark green, 25-40 cm long.
  • Alocasia copper-red Alocasia cuprea is not a large, but very beautiful plant has a stem about 10 cm long, petioles 20-30 cm, heart-shaped leaves up to 25-35 cm long, copper-green above with a metallic sheen, intensely purple below.
  • Alocasia macrorbiza is a large plant (in nature only a stem up to 2 m, and leaves up to 50-90 cm long) with variegated leaves, heart-shaped, with large white spots.
алоказия

In addition, interspecies hybrids can be found on sale, such as the very decorative Alocasia hybrid 'Black Velvet' Alocasia hybryd 'Black Velvet'.

Alocasia care

Temperature: Alokasia is thermophilic. In summer, the temperature is normal, in winter it is cool, optimally 18-20 ° С, not lower than 15 ° С.

Lighting: Bright diffused light. In summer, you need shade from direct sunlight in the hot hours of the day, but preferably the morning or evening sun. Alokasia copper-red, Amazonian and large-root, in winter need additional lighting.

Watering: Plentiful in summer, the ground shouldn't dry out too much, but don't let it get boggy. In winter, watering alokasia is moderate, the earth should dry out in the upper half of the pot. Alokasia does not like both drying and excessive watering.

Fertilizer: In spring and summer, alocasia is fed every 2-3 weeks. Complex mineral fertilizer for indoor plants is used.

Humidity: Frequent spraying and careful washing of leaves. As a prevention of spider mites, you can arrange a warm shower once a week or two.

Transplant: The soil for alocasia should be nutritious. Transplanted annually in the spring. You cannot use heavy clay soil - it is too heavy, dense. Such a soil mixture is suitable: 1 part of the leafy land, 1 part of the coniferous, 1 part of the humus and 0.5 part of the sand. For alocasia, copper-red and Amazonian pine bark is added to the soil.

Reproduction: Division during transplantation, as well as offspring, eyes carved with pulp from a grassy trunk.

By the way

Heat and high humidity are not the only requirements of alokasia - most often they forget that these plants need a lot of scattered light, which is usually not enough in winter. With a lack of light, the leaves of alocasia are small and not expressive.

Growing problems

  • Dry brown leaf tips - too dry indoor air, lack of watering.
  • The ends of the leaves turn yellow - when watered with hard or chlorinated water, with a lack of nutrients in the soil or an excess of nitrogen.
  • In case of violation of the temperature regime and watering, stem rot can begin.

Pests of Alocasia

The most common pests of alocasia are aphids and spider mites. Contributes to the appearance of pests dry air and high temperature. If a pest is found, wipe the leaves and stems with a soap sponge. In case of severe damage, spray with an actellic solution (1-2 ml per liter of water).