Key Winter Care Points and Precautions for Alocasia (Dripping Guanyin)

In the cold winter, many plant lovers worry about whether their plants can survive the winter safely. Many plants are not cold-hardy, so in winter it is necessary to do a good job of protecting them from the cold and keeping them warm. Will our fairly common Alocasia (Dripping Guanyin) (detailed introduction) also freeze to death in winter? The editor will now introduce some relevant knowledge about whether Alocasia will freeze to death in winter.

Alocasia (Dripping Guanyin) (detailed introduction)

1. Will Alocasia die in winter?

In its place of origin, Alocasia is a perennial evergreen plant. In southern China, Alocasia will not die in winter and will stay green, but in areas north of the Yangtze River, if it is indoors (with heating) it will still remain evergreen and grow normally; if there is no heating, then the leaves will gradually turn yellow and wither. If the temperature is not too low, it does not matter if the leaves freeze and turn yellow and wither, as they will grow back the following year. Now let us look at the second question below.

2. Will Alocasia freeze to death?

It will freeze to death. If it is planted outdoors in Northeast China, it will definitely freeze to death. However, if it is in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, where winter temperatures are not very cold, although the leaves will be frostbitten, as long as the roots are well protected, when the temperature rises in early spring the following year, it can still sprout and grow green leaves.

3. Alocasia leaves turn yellow in winter

Alocasia is a tropical plant. When the temperature drops in winter, it is unavoidable for the leaves to turn yellow and wither. As mentioned above, as long as the root system is well protected, it can still sprout and grow the following year.

Alocasia is a tropical plant, so when caring for it we must pay attention to temperature. Temperature is very important.

Key Winter Care Points for Alocasia

      Alocasia likes moist, fertile soil, which is what is often called “heavy fertilizer and heavy water”, and it should be watered more during the growing period. For topdressing, liquid fertilizers such as decomposed bean cake water and chemical fertilizers (compound fertilizer or diammonium phosphate) can be applied alternately, with one topdressing every 2 weeks. When applying liquid fertilizer, never let the fertilizer water pour into the leaf sheaths to avoid rot. Use of ferrous sulfate: In potted Alocasia, topdressing with ferrous sulfate can make the leaves larger, thicker, and greener, smooth and glossy, and the leaf stalks less likely to elongate, thereby ensuring the leaves look beautiful. At the same time, it can promote flower bud formation and prolong the flowering period. The specific method is: dilute ferrous sulfate into a 2% solution and apply it once every 1 month, watering thoroughly each time.

                                        

8 Key Points for Hydroponic Alocasia to Grow Vigorous Alocasia

Alocasia is also known as Dripping Lotus and Buddha's Hand Lotus. Because its leaves are broad, oily, and green, it is loved by many households. But many people do not know how to grow it. Below, the editor will share with you 8 key points for hydroponic Alocasia to grow vigorous Alocasia.

What are the cultivation methods for hydroponic Alocasia?

1. Temperature

It likes warmth and grows rapidly above 25°C. The most suitable temperature for growth is 25~30°C. It has a certain cold resistance, and the overwintering temperature only needs to be maintained above 2°C.

2. Light

It likes partial shade and cannot tolerate exposure to strong sunlight. From May to September, shading should be provided, blocking about 50% of sunlight. At other times, it should be given sufficient sunlight. It cannot tolerate excessive shade, otherwise the leaf stalks will become thin and long, and not only will the plant shape be unattractive, but it will also break easily.

3. Watering

Because the leaves are huge and consume more water, it is afraid of drought. It likes a slightly moist soil environment. During the growing period, watering should follow the principle of "alternating dry and wet while leaning toward moist". Watering should be sufficient; even watering a little more is fine. Especially on hot, sunny summer days, pay even more attention to water supply to meet the plant's water requirements. Because the leaf surface is large, in the morning water droplets often appear at the leaf tips, which is quite strange, hence the name "Dripping Guanyin". However, it requires that the potting soil usually remain moist to ensure the plant absorbs sufficient water and relies on root pressure to transport water to the leaf tips and release it; when the potting soil is dry, there will be no water to drip. In winter, water should be controlled, keeping the potting soil slightly moist, as long as the leaves do not become soft and drooping; if the potting soil is too wet, it easily causes root rot in the plant.

4. Environmental humidity

It likes a humid environment and dislikes dry air. During the growing season, on sunny and dry days, water should often be sprayed on the branches, leaves, and surroundings to maintain a relatively high air humidity.

5. Fertilization

It likes fertilizer. Because its growth volume is large, nutrients need to be supplemented in time so that the stems grow thick and strong and the leaves become huge, dark green, and glossy; when fertilizer is lacking, the leaves are small and yellow in color. During the growing period, a nitrogen-based fertilizer should be applied once about every 10 days. After the beginning of autumn, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and apply 2~30 phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in winter.

6. Pruning

Yellow leaves should be cut off at any time. Because the leaf stalks are long, when moving, placing, and caring for the plant, avoid breaking the leaf stalks. If they are broken, they should be cut off in time.

7. Repotting

Repotting is needed once every 1~2 years. It does not have high requirements for soil, but it likes fertile, loose, and well-drained sandy loam. The substrate can be prepared from materials such as leaf mold, garden soil, peat soil, and river sand. If sufficient base fertilizer is applied, the leaves can grow fat and large. Because the leaves are large but few in number and the leaf stalks are long, when moving the plant and caring for it, avoid damaging the leaves, otherwise the ornamental value will be reduced.

8. Propagation

(1) Sowing: Wild plants often bear seeds. Sow in spring. The suitable germination temperature is 25~28°C, and they germinate 20~25 days after sowing.

(2) Cuttings: Carry out in April. Cut thick stems into stem sections about 10 cm long with several buds to serve as cuttings. After drying slightly, insert them obliquely or lay them flat in the seedbed. When laying flat, the depth should be just enough to bury the stem sections; the cuttings can also be inserted directly into pots. After insertion, keep the substrate moist and the environmental temperature at 25~2TC. After 4~5 weeks, they can take root and survive.

(3) Division: Potted plants easily produce many small plantlets at the base. In April, division can be carried out in combination with repotting, separating the small plantlets from the mother plant and planting them separately. Division should preferably be carried out when the temperature reaches 20°C or higher. On the basis of keeping the substrate moist, new buds can emerge in about 20 days.

The above is the relevant introduction in this article. I believe that after reading it, you also have a simple understanding of this. If needed, you can continue to follow No.1 Home Network to learn more information.