How to grow Alocasia macrorrhizos in water? A detailed guide to everyday care methods
1. The stem and root tissues of Alocasia macrorrhizos are relatively loose, and it has high requirements for water quality. Be careful to keep the water clear and hygienic, otherwise the stem and roots are prone to rot.
2. In the hot summer, increase the frequency of water changes, and keep air humidity no lower than 60%. Spray water frequently to create a relatively cool and moist environment for it. In winter, to keep its leaves a deep green, generally spray with warm water once a week.
3. It is enough for the water level to cover 2/3 of the roots. Clean the inner wall of the container frequently to prevent the growth of blue-green algae.
4. The sap in the stems and leaves of Alocasia macrorrhizos is toxic. Take care during care and management: it must not be ingested, and contact with the skin will cause itching and redness and swelling. Rinse promptly with water, or wear plastic gloves when handling it to be safer.
How to grow Alocasia macrorrhizos in water: care methods for water-grown Alocasia macrorrhizos
Alocasia macrorrhizos originates from southern and southwestern China. Its leaves are very large, like lids, and stay emerald green all year round. It can reach a height of more than 1 m. It is commonly known as Guanyin lotus and wild taro. Today we will talk about how to grow Alocasia macrorrhizos in water.
How to grow Alocasia macrorrhizos in water
1. Choose a well-grown Alocasia macrorrhizos free of pests and diseases as the mother material for water culture. Clear away old and dead leaves on the stem, keeping just two or three new leaves; if none of the leaves are attractive, you may also keep only the topmost leaf stalk. Loosen the potting soil, remove the plant from the pot, then rinse the entire plant clean. It must not carry any soil, because first, it easily pollutes the water, and second, it may carry pathogens that easily cause root rot.
How to grow Alocasia macrorrhizos in water
2. After rinsing the mother plant clean, cut off all the soil-grown roots from the base, then carefully check the stem for rot and pest damage; you can use a small knife to dig out the softened or rotted parts of the stem until you reach woody tissue, removing the rotten material or pests. After pruning, secure it according to the plant's size and shape with a planting basket of the appropriate size. Immerse the entire planting basket in a 3%-5% thiophanate-methyl solution or carbendazim solution to disinfect for 5-10 minutes; then place it in a cool place to dry.
3. Plant the dried mother plant together with the planting basket in a perlite rooting bed. By controlling the moisture, nutrients, temperature and light of the bed, initial roots (primitive water roots) can grow in about 10-15 days.
4. When the initial roots have grown to 2-3 cm long, they can be moved to an induction pond to induce water roots. At this stage, adjusting the dissolved oxygen content and EC value in the water is very important and determines the success of the induction, and the nutrient solution ratio must also be adjusted appropriately. Once the water roots have grown to a certain number and length, it shows that the plant has adapted to growing in water, and it can be placed in a bottle for static water culture.
Growing methods for water-grown Alocasia macrorrhizos
For water-grown Alocasia macrorrhizos, use mainly diffused light; it does not necessarily need direct sun. In summer, try to avoid direct sunlight. For water-grown Alocasia macrorrhizos, change the water about once every 7 days in summer and about once every 10-15 days in winter. Each time you change the water, just add a few drops of nutrient solution specially made for water-grown flowers.
The vessels used to grow water-grown plants easily grow blue-green algae, which affects the ornamental value of the roots and also consumes oxygen in the water. When changing the water, first wash away the mucus on the flower roots with clean water, and cut off old roots and rotten roots. Also scrub the blue-green algae off the vessel and roots. Each time you change the water, the water level should preferably cover 1/2-2/3 of the roots, and let the remaining root sections remain exposed to the air.
Moisture retention and foliar fertilizer spraying for water-grown Alocasia macrorrhizos: to prevent the leaves from drying out, in daily care spray the leaf surface with clean water to retain moisture. It is best to spray foliar fertilizer once a week, which can both provide nutrients to the leaves and increase their gloss, and in winter also achieve the purpose of resisting low temperatures.
Care methods for water-grown Alocasia macrorrhizos
The suitable growth temperature for Alocasia macrorrhizos is 20-25°C. It likes warm, humid and semi-shady environments, so during the growing season place it in a shaded spot on a balcony or in a courtyard (avoid direct sunlight in summer), keep the potting soil moist at all times, and apply a dilute liquid fertilizer mainly of nitrogen fertilizer mixed with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer 1-2 times a month (stop fertilizing in winter and control watering).
The suitable growth temperature for Alocasia macrorrhizos is 20-25°C. It likes warm, humid and semi-shady environments, so during the growing season place it in a shaded spot on a balcony or in a courtyard (avoid direct sunlight in summer), keep the potting soil moist at all times, and apply a dilute liquid fertilizer mainly of nitrogen fertilizer mixed with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer 1-2 times a month (stop fertilizing in winter and control watering).
Alocasia macrorrhizos is a flower that likes plenty of water and plenty of fertilizer. It likes loose leaf mold or sandy loam, and likes sufficient light. Apart from appropriate shading in the hot midsummer, it is best to give it all-day light in the other seasons. In addition, Alocasia macrorrhizos especially likes a high-temperature, high-humidity climate. At noon every day in midsummer, spray water on the leaves to increase air humidity; only then will the leaves of Alocasia macrorrhizos be both large and thick. If it is too shady, the leaves will enlarge but become thinner, and the leaf stalks will also be brittle. The reason the leaf stalks are too long and break is lack of light. Alocasia macrorrhizos should be placed in a bright indoor spot, such as by a window, and needs at least 3 to 5 hours of light each day. Bright light is fine, but it must not be exposed to harsh sun. Alocasia macrorrhizos likes water; if the leaves become soft, it should be watered. Watering regularly with a little ferrous sulfate can make the leaves greener, larger and thicker.
Alocasia macrorrhizos is an indoor foliage plant. Foliage plants have relatively large leaves, so transpiration is also relatively strong; with a large transpiration rate, more water is released into the air. Dry weather leaves everything in a state of water shortage, so growing a pot of Alocasia macrorrhizos at home in this season means you can breathe moist air when you come home. However, its sap is toxic, so prevent it from dripping into the eyes or being swallowed by mistake, which can cause throat redness and swelling or eye inflammation.
The above is the related 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.
Growing methods for water-grown Alocasia macrorrhizos and precautions for water-grown Alocasia macrorrhizos
If your home is extremely dry and lacking moisture, then grow Alocasia macrorrhizos in water! It can absorb dust for your home and bring fresh air! If you want to grow Alocasia macrorrhizos with ease, just understand the growing methods and precautions for water-grown Alocasia macrorrhizos.
Growing methods for Alocasia macrorrhizos:
1. Cleaning the roots. If you choose to grow Alocasia macrorrhizos in water, be sure to remember to wash the roots clean.
2. Water quality requirements. The stem and root tissues of Alocasia macrorrhizos are relatively loose, and it has high requirements for water quality. Be careful to keep the water clear and hygienic, otherwise the stem and roots are prone to rot.
3. Indoor temperature. Note that Alocasia macrorrhizos is a shade-loving plant. As for temperature, it can only grow well in an environment no lower than 18°C. If the temperature is lower than 18°C, Alocasia macrorrhizos will stop growing.
4. Change the water frequently. If it is summer, increase the frequency of water changes, and keep air humidity no lower than 60%. Spray it with water frequently to create a relatively cool and moist environment. In winter, to keep its leaves a deep green, generally spray with warm water once a week.
5. Adding nutrient solution. Plants are actually just like people: they need nutrients to grow well, so add nutrient solution to the plant at regular times.
6. Prevent direct sunlight. Alocasia macrorrhizos is a shade-loving plant, so do not place it in direct sunlight, otherwise Alocasia macrorrhizos will become "wilted".
Precautions for growing Alocasia macrorrhizos:
Because the white sap in its stem is toxic, and so is the water that drips down, accidentally touching or accidentally eating its sap will cause discomfort. If the stem and leaves are eaten by mistake, it will cause symptoms such as nausea and pain, and in severe cases lead to suffocation, cardiac paralysis and death. Therefore, try not to come into contact with Alocasia macrorrhizos, and if there are children at home, it is best not to place it there.
Alocasia macrorrhizos has high ornamental value and is easy to care for, but the sap in its stem is toxic. If there are young children at home, you should carefully consider whether to grow it! However, if you place it in a relatively high position, that is also fine, as that can prevent children from touching it.