How to Grow Alocasia (Dripping Guanyin)? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Growing Methods

Alocasia, also known as Dripping Lotus and Bergamot Lotus, has a delicate inner character, with large leaves that are not ostentatious, subtle and understated. Because its flowers resemble Guanyin and it drips water from the leaf tips when moisture is plentiful, it has earned the beautiful name Dripping Guanyin, and is often used by people to decorate interiors. Despite its beautiful name and inner refinement, not many people know how to grow Alocasia, so here the editor introduces some growing methods for Alocasia.

Propagation Methods for Alocasia

The main propagation methods for Alocasia are division, sowing and cuttings, described in detail below.

1. Division and sowing

In summer and autumn, the tubers of Alocasia sprout small Alocasia plants with leaves, and these can be divided when repotting and changing the soil. After the fruit ripens in autumn, collect the orange-red seeds and sow them immediately, or dry and store them to sow after spring the following year.

2. Cutting propagation

Cutting propagation is for old plants that have grown for many years. Along with renewing the plant, cut the stem about 5 cm above the soil surface from the base of the plant, and use the stem for cutting propagation. In cutting propagation of Alocasia, cutting the stem has the following benefits:

① The plant loses its apical growth dominance, so nutrients accumulate at the base, prompting the roots and stem base to sprout in large numbers, which helps increase propagation speed and quantity;

② The cut old stem can be cut into segments about 15 cm long, placed in a shady spot to air-dry for half a day, and then inserted into sandy loam soil for cultivation. Especially the section at the top that is still growing: after cutting off all formed leaves, it can be potted directly as a single plant, with cutting and cultivation carried out at the same time. After two months of cultivation it becomes a formed plant with large leaves, dense branching and a sturdy, compact habit, and placed indoors it has a certain elegance. Stem cutting of Alocasia is suitable in all three seasons of spring, summer and autumn. During cutting, keep the substrate (6 parts sand : 4 parts garden soil) moist, and at the same time increase air humidity; after about 7-10 days many thick roots will grow. During the cultivation of old plants, because of the shady, humid environment or spraying the leaf surfaces morning and evening every day in summer and autumn, a few new plants occasionally sprout on the old stem (especially on the stem base left after cutting the stem), and many aerial roots attach to it; these can be broken off from where the daughter plant meets the mother plant and potted for planting.

Soil Growing Methods for Alocasia

1. Timely planting out: from April to May, transplant the small seedlings into flower pots, water thoroughly to settle the roots, then place the pots in a shady, cool spot for about 1 week. After 2-3 days, apply 1 light liquid fertilizer. Alocasia cultivation is fairly extensive; it can be potted in leaf mold, peat soil or fine sandy soil. When the soil is loose and fertile with sufficient base fertilizer, the leaves are large and the leaf color is emerald green.

2. Fertilizer and water management: during the growing season from April to October, liquid fertilizer must be applied as a top dressing, once a week, and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer should especially be increased. Only then can the leaves grow large. When fertilizer is lacking, the leaves are small and yellow. Alocasia likes a warm, humid and semi-shady environment; from April to November it should be watered more, and above 25°C it grows rapidly. A dry environment is very unfavorable for its growth. During cultivation, water should often be sprayed around it to increase air humidity. During the growing season of Alocasia, it is better to keep it wet than dry; but during the winter dormant period, watering should be controlled as much as possible, and moving it indoors is enough for it to overwinter safely.

3. Sunlight: from June to October it needs shading, blocking out 50-70% of the sunlight. With moisture, semi-shade and sufficient fertilizer, the leaves can grow out their original characteristics, large and spreading, and the plant is spectacular and upright. Although Alocasia likes to grow in a semi-shady environment, if it is placed in the living room, bedroom and other places for a long time, the insufficient light has a great impact on the plant's life activities. The formation of many plant organs is directly related to light intensity; with insufficient light or no light, the plant's internodes become especially long, the leaves are underdeveloped and small, and it lacks chlorophyll and appears yellow.

4. Repotting: after Qingming Festival the following year, move the Alocasia outdoors so the plant receives sunlight, carries out photosynthesis and quickly resumes growth. After 2 weeks, repot it. Sprinkle the potting soil with water, then take the plant out of the pot, remove the soil from the roots, cut off diseased and rotten roots, then pot it, cover with new soil mixed with base fertilizer, water thoroughly to settle the roots, place in a shady, cool spot for about 1 week, and after 2-3 days apply 1 light fertilizer solution.

Now everyone has learned about the soil growing methods for Alocasia. Below, let us together look at the water growing methods and growing precautions for Alocasia.