Detailed Guide to Water and Fertilizer Care for Alocasia macrorrhizos in Summer

Growing Techniques Jan 1, 1970 0 views

In summer, an appropriate amount of water and fertilizer must be maintained, because the growth of Alocasia macrorrhizos needs the support of water and fertilizer. The first thing is watering. As mentioned earlier, in summer you need to increase misting and water in a timely manner. Be careful not to water too much, as too much will make the soil too moist

In summer, an appropriate amount of water and fertilizer must be maintained, because the growth of Alocasia macrorrhizos needs the support of water and fertilizer.

The first thing is watering. As mentioned earlier, in summer you need to increase misting and water in a timely manner. Be careful not to water too much, as too much will make the soil too moist and cause the rhizome to rot. When watering, it is best to alternate between dry and moist periods, with no standing water.

The second thing is fertilizing. In summer, Alocasia macrorrhizos still grows quite rapidly, so it needs the support of a large amount of nutrients. At this time, more fertilizer should be applied. You can apply a topdressing of decomposed fertilizer water once every half month to avoid the lower part becoming bare and yellow leaves. In addition, you can water Alocasia macrorrhizos with a ferrous sulfate solution about once every 20 days, so that its leaves grow well.

How to Care for Alocasia macrorrhizos in Summer

The Summer Care Environment for Alocasia macrorrhizos

In summer, caring for Alocasia macrorrhizos requires giving it suitable conditions such as light and temperature.

Alocasia macrorrhizos is afraid of strong light and can tolerate shade, so in summer it should be placed indoors in a ventilated place without direct sunlight for care. In summer, the temperature is too high, which may have an adverse effect on the growth of Alocasia macrorrhizos, so it is necessary to ventilate and cool it down, and sprinkle water around the plant and on the leaves, which can increase air humidity and lower the temperature. In addition, misting also helps clean the leaves.

Summer Water and Fertilizer Care for Alocasia macrorrhizos

In summer, an appropriate amount of water and fertilizer must be maintained, because the growth of Alocasia macrorrhizos needs the support of water and fertilizer.

Will Alocasia macrorrhizos Die in Summer?

Many gardening enthusiasts worry about one question: will Alocasia macrorrhizos die in summer?

In fact, Alocasia macrorrhizos will not necessarily die in summer. It is only that sometimes, during cultivation, too much watering causes its rhizome to rot and die. Basically, as long as care and management are done well in summer, Alocasia macrorrhizos can still get through the summer very tenaciously.

Does Alocasia macrorrhizos Bloom? Care After Alocasia macrorrhizos Blooms

[Common Question] Does Alocasia macrorrhizos Bloom? Care After Alocasia macrorrhizos Blooms

[Expert Answer]

Image: Alocasia macrorrhizos blooming

Alocasia macrorrhizos is a foliage plant that likes heat and humidity, and it generally blooms only when both temperature and humidity reach the appropriate levels. However, in the north it generally does not bloom. If the temperature and other conditions at home are suitable, it will also bloom. The blooming time of Alocasia macrorrhizos mostly depends on whether the soil is fertile or not. With proper care, it can generally bloom the next year. The flowering period of Alocasia macrorrhizos is from May to June each year, but during the flowering period of Alocasia macrorrhizos, the leaves will grow poorly.

The flower of Alocasia macrorrhizos is a spathe, just like the flower of Anthurium; the shape is the same, but it is not as beautiful as that of Anthurium. It has a small white corn-cob-like spadix and a light green spathe, and it has little ornamental value. If you want to propagate offspring, you can harvest and store the seeds after they form and then sow them. If you do not need seeds, it is best to remove the flower to avoid consuming more nutrients.

If gardening enthusiasts want their Alocasia macrorrhizos to bloom, they should pay attention to fertilizing and keep the fertilizer effect sufficient, and then it will be relatively easy to bloom. If it is hydroponically grown, then it will probably be very difficult.

So how should Alocasia macrorrhizos be cared for after blooming?

1. Required temperature. Alocasia macrorrhizos can grow well only in an environment not lower than 18°C. If the temperature is lower than 18°C, Alocasia macrorrhizos will be in a dormant state and stop growing. Alocasia macrorrhizos is not very cold-resistant, and should be moved into a greenhouse in mid-October. In summer, it needs to be kept in shade, with frequent misting to cool it down and keep it moist.

2. Required fertilizing. Hydroponic Alocasia macrorrhizos likes fertilizer, and should be fertilized every month. Alocasia macrorrhizos grows rapidly in summer and has a large nutrient demand. Every 15-20 days, a liquid fertilizer such as decomposed soybean cake water should be applied alternately with a compound fertilizer (it likes nitrogen fertilizer), otherwise it is easy for the lower end of the stem to become bare, with yellow leaves or smaller leaves. Applying a 2% ferrous sulfate solution about once every 20 days can make the leaves of Alocasia macrorrhizos larger, thicker and greener. When Alocasia macrorrhizos grows to a size suitable for placement at home, spray the whole plant with a 2% paclobutrazol solution. The plant will not only be small and exquisite, but also have thick leaves and higher ornamental value.

3. Required sunlight. Alocasia macrorrhizos likes shade, so do not let sunlight shine directly on it. If Alocasia macrorrhizos becomes "wilted", it is mainly because of insufficient fertilizing, so pay attention to topdressing. Alocasia macrorrhizos likes a warm, humid and slightly shaded environment, but during the flowering period it needs sufficient sunlight, otherwise the spathe will carry a green color, affecting quality. It must be ensured 3—5 hours of light per day, otherwise the petioles will elongate and affect the ornamental value.

Care after Alocasia macrorrhizos blooms is also very simple. In the growing season, apart from shading from June to September, it is advisable to give half-day sunlight at other times. If it is placed indoors for viewing, it is best to place it near a south-facing window. After being placed indoors for 1 month, it should be moved to a moist place under a shed for care for a period of time. Water frequently to keep the soil moist, but also prevent excessive moisture or water accumulation in the pot, otherwise it will cause the tuberous roots to rot. Therefore, when potting, a layer of coarse sand or similar should usually be placed at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer to strengthen drainage. When it is hot and dry, spray water to increase humidity, so that it can obtain external conditions for vigorous growth. In the growing season, fertilizing 2-3 times a month is enough. After being brought indoors in winter, watering should be reduced, and the temperature should not be lower than 5°C.

[Editor's Summary]

Alocasia macrorrhizos is a common indoor foliage plant, but because its sap is toxic, contact with its sap should be avoided during care. Like most plants, Alocasia macrorrhizos will bloom, but it has high care requirements and will bloom only when light, heat, water and fertilizer are all appropriate. The above is the article "Does Alocasia macrorrhizos Bloom? Care After Alocasia macrorrhizos Blooms" compiled for you by the editor of First Agricultural Economics, and we hope it is helpful to you.