How to Grow and Care for Potted Alocasia (Dumb Cane Elephant Ear)
Alocasia, also known as tian yu, guanyin lotus, and gu po yu, is a large evergreen herbaceous plant in the genus Alocasia of the Araceae family. It originates from the primitive forests of Southeast Asia and Australia, and is also found in South China and Lanyu, Taiwan, China. In northern China it must overwinter indoors, while in the south it can grow outdoors. Its corms and leaves can be used medicinally but are highly toxic. Let's take a look below at how to grow potted Alocasia!
The Growth Habits of Alocasia
The growing temperature for Alocasia is 20-30°C, and it can withstand a minimum low of 8°C. In summer when temperatures are high, as long as the soil is kept moist, water is sprayed frequently, and it is shaded, it can still grow normally. In winter, the room temperature must not fall below 5°C. Alocasia is an understory plant of tropical rainforests, so its growth requires high humidity, and diffused light is best. Alocasia is a shade-tolerant plant that prefers a semi-shaded environment, and should be placed in an environment that is both shaded and well-ventilated.
Propagation Methods for Alocasia
1. Division: Every summer and autumn, the tubers of Alocasia sprout small leaf-bearing Alocasia plants, which can be divided when repotting and changing the soil.
2. Sowing: After fruiting in autumn, collect the orange-red seeds when they are ripe and sow them immediately, or dry and store them to sow after the following spring.
3. Cuttage: Cuttage is for old plants that are many years old. Combined with plant renewal, cut the stem from the base of the plant about 5 cm above the soil surface, and carry out stem cuttage propagation.
How do you grow potted Alocasia?
1. Soil: Cultivate in nutrient soil made by mixing loose, well-draining, and well-aerated domestic peat, a 2:2:1 mixture of pond mud, peat soil, and coarse sand, plus a small amount of thoroughly composted cake fertilizer. Add water to the peat and mix well. After adding water and mixing well, squeeze a handful of peat tightly and water should seep out from between the fingers. Then plant in cups.
2. Potting: For old pots that are reused, they must be soaked in a 2000-fold potassium permanganate solution for more than half an hour, then rinsed with clean water and dried for later use. Large pots are generally planted with 20 cm specification pots. When planting, first place about 4 cm of substrate at the bottom of the cup, then move the screened seedlings into the cup. Small seedlings should not be planted too deep; it is best to keep it level with the base of the plant. The substrate should be moderately firm and filled to 8 parts full of the cup, 2-3 plants per pot.
3. Spraying water: Alocasia especially likes moisture. During the growing season, not only should the potting soil be moist, but the air humidity should also be no less than 60%. In summer when temperatures are high, spraying water should be increased to create a relatively cool and humid environment for it. If placed in an indoor air-conditioned hall, it is necessary both to keep the potting soil moist and to spray the leaf surfaces from time to time. If the winter room temperature cannot reach 15°C, watering should be controlled, otherwise it is easy to cause root rot in the plant. Generally, spraying warm water once a week can keep its leaves dark green.
4. Fertilizing: Alocasia relatively likes fertilizer. From March to October, apply liquid fertilizer once every half month. The proportion of nitrogen can be appropriately increased. If a little ferrous sulfate can be added, even better, as the leaves will then grow as large as lotus leaves and be smooth and attractive. When the temperature is below 15°C, fertilization should be stopped.
5. Pruning: Alocasia is a foliage plant. If planting and care are improper, the largest leaves may turn yellow and dry up. At this time, they should be cut off together with the stem using a knife, otherwise it will affect the growth and ornamental value of the other leaves.
6. Repotting: It can be cultivated in nutrient soil made by mixing leaf mold, peat soil, river sand, and a small amount of thoroughly composted cake fertilizer. Alternatively, it can be hydroponically grown, but attention must be paid to preventing root rot and adding nutrient solution. Usually repot once every spring, and loosen the soil once a month to keep the potting soil in a well-aerated state.
Precautions for Alocasia
1. The white sap in the stem of Alocasia is toxic, and the water it drips is also toxic. Accidental contact with or ingestion of its sap will cause discomfort in the throat and mouth, and a burning pain in the stomach. Special attention should be paid to preventing young children from accidentally eating it. However, Alocasia is not a carcinogenic plant.
2. Alocasia is toxic. Skin contact with its sap will cause itching or strong irritation. Eye contact with the sap can cause severe conjunctivitis, or even blindness. Accidental eating of the stems and leaves will cause symptoms of nausea and pain, and in severe cases can also cause suffocation, leading to death from cardiac paralysis. Therefore, contact with Alocasia should be minimized as much as possible, and families with children had best not grow it.