When Does Alocasia macrorrhizos Bloom? A Detailed Guide to Its Flowering Period
Alocasia macrorrhizos is a large evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Alocasia in the Araceae family, also known as wolfsbane, tianyu, guanyin lotus, xiaotiancao, gupoyu and so on. Under conditions of warm, humid air and sufficient soil moisture, it drips water downward from the leaf tips or leaf edges, and its flowers resemble Guanyin, which is why it is called Alocasia macrorrhizos. Let us take a look below at when Alocasia macrorrhizos blooms!
Does Alocasia macrorrhizos bloom?
Alocasia macrorrhizos does bloom. Alocasia macrorrhizos is a foliage plant that loves heat and humidity, and it generally blooms only when both temperature and humidity reach the required levels. It is not easy to make it bloom in the north. Some flower lovers ask how many years it takes for Alocasia macrorrhizos to bloom; according to the cultivation experience of flower lovers, Alocasia macrorrhizos can bloom in the second year, though the timing of blooming mostly depends on whether the soil is fertile or not.
When does Alocasia macrorrhizos bloom?
Alocasia macrorrhizos likes to grow in a hot and humid environment. It generally blooms in winter and spring after October, with the peak flowering period from February to April, and the dormant flowering period from November to May or June of the following year. In the north, because the ambient temperature and humidity are not easily able to meet the requirements for Alocasia macrorrhizos to bloom, it generally will not bloom there. However, if the temperature and humidity in the home reach the flowering requirements of Alocasia macrorrhizos, then it will occasionally bloom as well.
How to grow Alocasia macrorrhizos in pots?
1. Substrate: Cultivate it in a nutrient soil made from loose domestic peat with good drainage and aeration, a mixed soil of pond mud, peat soil and coarse sand in a 2:2:1 ratio, plus a small amount of thoroughly rotted cake fertilizer. Add water to the peat and mix well; after mixing, squeeze a handful of peat tightly in your hand and water should seep out from between your fingers.
2. Potting: For old pots that are to be reused, they must be soaked in a 2000-fold dilution of potassium permanganate for more than half an hour, then rinsed with clean water and dried for later use. Large potted plants are generally grown in pots of 20 cm size. When planting, first place about 4 cm of substrate at the bottom of the pot, then move the screened seedlings into the pot. Small seedlings should not be planted too deep; it is best to keep them level with the base of the plant, with the substrate at a moderate firmness, filling the pot to 8 parts full, with 2 to 3 plants per pot.
3. Misting: Alocasia macrorrhizos is especially fond of moisture. During the growing season it not only requires the potting soil to be moist, but also requires air humidity of no less than 60%. During high summer temperatures, misting should be increased to create a relatively cool and humid environment for it. If it is placed in an indoor air-conditioned hall, both the potting soil must be kept moist and the leaves must be misted from time to time. If the indoor temperature in winter cannot reach 15°C, watering should be controlled, otherwise the plant is prone to root rot. Generally, misting once a week with warm water is enough to keep its leaves a rich green.
4. Fertilizing: Alocasia macrorrhizos is relatively fond of fertilizer. From March to October, apply liquid fertilizer once every half month, and the proportion of nitrogen can be appropriately increased. If a little ferrous sulfate can be added, so much the better, as the leaves will then grow as large as lotus leaves and become smooth and attractive. Fertilizing should stop when the temperature is below 15°C.
5. Pruning: Alocasia macrorrhizos is a foliage plant. When planting and care are improper, the largest leaves will turn yellow and dry up. At this time they should be cut off together with the stem using a knife, otherwise they will affect the growth and ornamental value of the other leaves.
6. Repotting: Alocasia macrorrhizos is usually repotted once every spring, and the soil can be loosened once a month to keep the potting soil in a well-aerated state.