How to Grow Alocasia (Dripping Guanyin)? A Detailed Guide to Its Care Essentials

Alocasia (Dripping Guanyin) is a fairly common flowering plant for us, mostly grown as a houseplant. More and more people are cultivating this plant; even though its sap is toxic, that still cannot hold back its popularity, and it is very commonly seen in flower shops. So how should beginners grow Alocasia? What care essentials do they need to know? Below, Shuaishuai will introduce how to grow it!

1. Soil

The first step in cultivation is finding the right soil. A good soil mix is a great help to its growth. For potted plants in general, leaf mold is indispensable. We can use leaf mold mixed with peat soil, river sand and some cake fertilizer to make a nutrient soil, or we can grow it hydroponically. If using hydroponics, you must prevent root rot and add nutrient solution. Remember to repot and change the soil every spring, and change the soil once a month to maintain good aeration.

2. Temperature

Alocasia's temperature requirement is 20 to 25 degrees; it likes a warm, humid, semi-shaded growing environment, and the growing conditions should be decided according to seasonal changes. It is now entering the hot summer, so the watering frequency should be increased, with moisture maintained irregularly, and the soil should not be allowed to get too dry. Water evaporates in large amounts in summer, so special attention is needed. In winter, take care to protect it from the cold; Alocasia is not very cold-resistant.

3. Watering

Water according to the season and weather, and water appropriately. In summer, get the amount right; do not water so much that water accumulates in the bottom of the pot and causes root rot. In winter, Alocasia enters dormancy, and during dormancy watering should be controlled and kept to a minimum.

4. Fertilizing

The fertilizing cycle is about once a month, and topdressing must be done once every two weeks. Fertilizing should use thin liquid fertilizers such as nitrogen fertilizer and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer as supplementary fertilizer components.

5. Light

As a semi-shaded plant, it should avoid direct strong light. Also, drooping leaves may be caused by a lack of fertilizer, so you can water it with liquid fertilizer. During the flowering period, Alocasia should have its light changed to five hours a day, otherwise it is bad for the growth of the flower buds.

The above are the care essentials for Alocasia. Have you all learned them? To learn more related information, please keep following Qinnong Net!