What should be noted when growing Alocasia macrorrhizos (giant taro)
Stems
The stem tissue of Alocasia macrorrhizos is fairly loose; if the water quality is poor, it is easily contaminated, which can cause root rot and stem rot. Therefore, the water in the vase must be kept clean. At the same time, when changing the water and the culture solution, the slime on the tubers and roots should also be washed off, and the rotten roots should be trimmed away.
Temperature
Alocasia macrorrhizos is a very common green houseplant, but because it is a tropical plant, it generally will not bloom in the north. However, if the temperature and other conditions at home are suitable, it will also bloom. Alocasia macrorrhizos can only grow well in an environment no lower than 18°C; if the temperature is lower than 18°C, Alocasia macrorrhizos will enter a dormant state and stop growing. This is especially important to note when growing it indoors for ornamental display.
Soil
It does not have high requirements for soil, but it grows best in a well-drained sandy loam or humus loam containing organic matter. Because Alocasia macrorrhizos by nature loves a warm, humid and semi-shaded environment and is not cold-tolerant, during the growing season the potting soil must be kept moist. But it can also tolerate a little drought.
Watering
In summer, the flowerpot should be placed in a semi-shaded, ventilated place, and water should be sprayed frequently around it and on the leaf surface to increase air humidity, lower leaf temperature and keep the leaves clean. In summer, Alocasia macrorrhizos needs more water, but it must not be overwatered; it is suitable to alternate between dry and wet, and there must be no standing water in the soil, otherwise the tubers will rot. In winter, special attention must be paid when growing Alocasia macrorrhizos because it needs to go dormant, so water less and stop fertilizing.
Fertilizing
Because Alocasia macrorrhizos grows very fast, attention should still be paid to what kind of fertilizer is used for it. Apply a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer 1-2 times a month (the nitrogen proportion can be appropriately higher). If a little ferrous sulfate is applied, the leaves will become larger and greener. Long-term lack of fertilizer can easily cause the lower part of the Alocasia macrorrhizos stem to become bare and hollow, affecting its ornamental value. When the temperature drops and it enters the dormant period, fertilization can be reduced or stopped.
Toxicity
If you want the Alocasia macrorrhizos grown indoors to be small and delicate, then simply wait until its seedlings have grown to about one chi and are suitable for placing at home, then immediately spray the whole plant with a 2% paclobutrazol solution; the stems and leaves that grow afterward will all be no more than 40 cm tall, and the leaves will be thick and plump with high ornamental value. Spraying once about every six months can achieve a good height-control effect. However, Alocasia macrorrhizos is toxic. The sap in the leaves of Alocasia macrorrhizos can cause skin itching after human contact, so be careful when touching it.
The issues we need to pay attention to when repotting Alocasia macrorrhizos and in daily care have all been introduced. Do you like it?
Notes on growing Alocasia macrorrhizos
1. During the growing season, also apply a dilute liquid fertilizer based mainly on nitrogen fertilizer mixed with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers 1-2 times a month. Alocasia macrorrhizos has a certain shade tolerance, but to keep the leaves oily green, it is best in spring and autumn to place it in a shaded spot on a balcony or in a courtyard for cultivation, and in summer move it indoors to a well-ventilated north-facing windowsill, avoiding direct sunlight.
2. The suitable growth temperature for Alocasia macrorrhizos is about 20-25°C. In winter, keeping the room temperature above 8°C is enough for it to overwinter safely; if the temperature is low, it is prone to cold damage. In winter, it should be placed on an indoor south-facing windowsill, watering should be controlled, watering only when dry, and fertilization should be stopped. Every 5-7 days, wash the leaves once with clean water close to room temperature, and the leaf color can remain deep green. As long as the air is humid, the light is suitable and the nutrients are sufficient, the leaves will be large and spread out, and the ornamental value will be high.
3. In the south, Alocasia macrorrhizos is often found growing wild along ditches and roadsides. It likes a warm, humid and semi-shaded environment. Alocasia macrorrhizos is robust by nature and simple to manage; the growing soil just needs to not be too heavy and sticky. It likes high temperatures and grows vigorously at 30°C. When the light is strong, in order to adapt to the strong light, the leaves will grow small and thick, and turn yellow. Only when part of the sunlight is blocked and fertilizer and water are sufficient will the leaves grow large and spread out, full of luster.
4. Alocasia macrorrhizos likes fertilizer; during the growing period, fertilize once every two weeks. When short of water, the lower leaves will droop; if water is supplied in time, they will still stand up. The overwintering temperature for Alocasia macrorrhizos is above 10°C; below 10°C, the leaves will wither and the plant will enter a dormant state. During this period, control moisture so the root system does not rot, and when the temperature rises again the next year, it will still grow huge leaves. The main reason household-grown Alocasia macrorrhizos dies is that the winter temperature is low and unstable, and after the leaves turn yellow and all fall off, watering is continued, causing root rot and death.
5. The sap of Alocasia macrorrhizos is toxic (hence the name "Guangdong poison"); it must not be eaten by mistake or get into the eyes, and in severe cases it can be life-threatening.
By following this method, you can grow Alocasia macrorrhizos well. If you still have questions about growing it, then follow the Four Seasons Plants website; everything you want to know is here!
Notes on growing Alocasia macrorrhizos
Stems
The stem tissue of Alocasia macrorrhizos is fairly loose; if the water quality is poor, it is easily contaminated, which can cause root rot and stem rot. Therefore, the water in the vase must be kept clean. At the same time, when changing the water and the culture solution, the slime on the tubers and roots should also be washed off, and the rotten roots should be trimmed away.
Temperature
Alocasia macrorrhizos is a very common green houseplant, but because it is a tropical plant, it generally will not bloom in the north. However, if the temperature and other conditions at home are suitable, it will also bloom. Alocasia macrorrhizos can only grow well in an environment no lower than 18°C; if the temperature is lower than 18°C, Alocasia macrorrhizos will enter a dormant state and stop growing. This is especially important to note when growing it indoors for ornamental display.
Soil
Alocasia macrorrhizos does not have high requirements for what soil is used, but it grows best in a well-drained sandy loam or humus loam containing organic matter. Because Alocasia macrorrhizos by nature loves a warm, humid and semi-shaded environment and is not cold-tolerant, during the growing season the potting soil must be kept moist. But it can also tolerate a little drought.
Watering
The watering method for Alocasia macrorrhizos should be differentiated by season. In summer, the flowerpot should be placed in a semi-shaded, ventilated place, and water should be sprayed frequently around it and on the leaf surface to increase air humidity, lower leaf temperature and keep the leaves clean. In summer, Alocasia macrorrhizos needs more water, but it must not be overwatered; it is suitable to alternate between dry and wet, and there must be no standing water in the soil, otherwise the tubers will rot. In winter, it needs to go dormant, so water less and stop fertilizing.
Fertilizing
If Alocasia macrorrhizos is fertilized, it will grow very fast. Apply a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer 1-2 times a month (the nitrogen proportion can be appropriately higher). If a little ferrous sulfate is applied, the leaves will become larger and greener. Long-term lack of fertilizer can easily cause the lower part of the Alocasia macrorrhizos stem to become bare and hollow, affecting its ornamental value. When the temperature drops and it enters the dormant period, fertilization can be reduced or stopped.
Pay attention to the above points, and Alocasia macrorrhizos can be grown well! What most people do not know is all on the Four Seasons Plants website!