Alocasias: 7 tips to solve all your problems
Some love them and some hate them, our dear Alocasias are beautiful and cursed, and they continue to drive many plant lovers to despair.
Let's analyze some points and draw 7 practical tips for managing them best!
The Stem of Alocasias
Alocasia is a rhizomatous plant, meaning it grows from a rhizome. The latter is its most delicate part, which must be absolutely protected from excess water.
It is therefore important that the base of Alocasia stems is not excessively covered with substrate, but on the contrary, it should be as free as possible. My advice is to free the stem from excess substrate by gently digging around the rhizome with your hands.
Let's Observe the Stems
It is important to remember that Alocasias have succulent stems, which means they store water. This is why it's not advisable to overwater or water at "pre-established" intervals.
How to Water Alocasia?
The least traumatic way to water an Alocasia is undoubtedly by bottom watering. This way, its most delicate part (the rhizome mentioned above) will not be disturbed. It can therefore be immersed in a container with water, leaving it for about twenty minutes.
When to Water Alocasias
Alocasia should be watered when the substrate is completely dry, without any mercy! Don't be afraid to leave it dry for longer; it's never a problem (or rather, a mistake due to lack of water can always be recovered!) On the contrary, too much water can trigger root rot, which is not at all easy to reverse.
Moreover, when Alocasia is thirsty, it slightly curves its leaves downwards. This is a small trick that can help!
How to Grow Them and What Substrate to Use for Alocasias?
Alocasia can be grown mainly in two ways.
- Soil cultivation: it is necessary to use only inert materials, avoiding potting soil which easily causes compaction, excess water, and thus rot. The Alocasia mix is ideal, tailor-made for them.
- Semi-hydroponic cultivation: it is ideal for easily managing watering, avoiding constant apprehension! Clay or Pon can be used.
90% of problems with Alocasias depend precisely on incorrect watering management, and therefore on excess water and root rot.
Tropical Climate
Alocasias prefer a warm and humid climate, necessary to stay healthy. They are not at all tolerant to cold! They are very sensitive to low temperatures. So, how can we "recreate" an environment similar to their natural habitat?
Our salvation will be small greenhouses, or any other small enclosed and sheltered environment (easily created with a tarp) that can retain heat and humidity, to be monitored with a small thermo-hygrometer so that environmental conditions can always be kept under control.
Alocasias and Changes Don't Get Along
It is also important to keep in mind that Alocasias do not tolerate changes well, which can easily cause trauma. A sudden change in temperature, light, or substrate can send your Alocasias into a tailspin. Taking it slow and gently is key; you need to proceed step by step and let them gradually get used to it.
The ideal is to combine all factors together, without underestimating any. I assure you that your Alocasias will become much more pleasant!
Plant lover, now that you're ready, here are some of our favorites to put the tips into practice!
