Alocasia cultivation and care. Alocasia: care for a spectacular tropican. Reproduction by leaves of alocasia

Alocasia is a welcome acquisition for a fan of indoor gardening. Some of them believe that several different varieties will decorate the room, fill the air with health. Care for such a home flower garden will be simple - you will need the same conditions for all plants. Reproduction of alocasia at home will be the first step towards the implementation of the plan.

Methods of propagation of alocasia

If there is one adult plant in the house, then the material for propagation is already available. Alocasia reproduces in various ways:

• radical children;
• separation of roots during transplantation;
• stem cuttings;
• reproduction by rooting the leaf;
• seed way.

All types of reproduction are based on achieving favorable conditions for creating a healthy root system with any method of reproduction. The green parts of the plant take root in the substrate, water in this case does not serve as an intermediate. However, there are special requirements for the substrate.

General rules for transplanting alocasia

In order for the processes to take place faster, the task of the grower is to organize a constant heating of the soil, where the process of creating the first roots is going on. At the same time, the litter itself should contain perlite, sphagnum moss and sand. That is, the place for rooting should be moist, warm and breathable. However, regular ventilation is necessary.

Another common action for all types of reproduction except seed. All sections must be dried and sprinkled with a disinfectant. It can be:

• finely ground charcoal or crushed black activated carbon tablet;
• cinnamon powder;

Treatment with root formation stimulants is also used.

For the reproduction of alocasia, spring time is usually chosen, when intense biological activity in nature begins. But rooting can be carried out at any time of the year, except for winter. In winter, a high percentage of lunge.

All work related to touching the succulent parts of the plant should be carried out with rubber gloves. Remove children and animals from the premises while working.

The requirement for the composition of the soil for plants that have already given the first roots and are planted for a long time. For alocasia, the earth is selected loose and low acidity. Such a composition can be purchased at a specialized store or prepared by yourself. Flower growers use different soils based on peat and leafy soil.

The main thing is that the soil should be moisture-intensive, light, breathable. A slightly acidic environment ensures the dissolution of the required amount of mineral salts from the soil. Therefore, it is important to comply with all requirements. An example of such a soil would be:

• humus or biohumus - 2 parts;
• leaf ground - 2 parts;
• sod land - 2 parts;
• peat and sand - 1 part each;
• chopped sphagnum moss - 2 parts;
• crushed coal, vermiculite, brick chips in total - 1 part.

Purchased soil must be supplemented with the latest components. Of great importance is the disinfection of the composition by any means. Steaming the earth for alocasia is often used. For planting plants in a permanent place, the pot must be high, the ideal shape is a bucket. It is stable and high at the same time. Expanded clay is traditionally chosen for drainage, but you can use pebbles or broken ceramic dishes.

Propagation of alocasia by tubers

When transplanting an adult plant, neoplasms can be seen in the roots. These are nodules - babies that can give a new plant in a month or two. Therefore, they must be carefully separated from the roots and placed in a special substrate for germination.

The first pot for a seedling that has given roots can be an ordinary glass of their disposable tableware with a drainage hole. A rooted nodule will throw out its first leaf and unfold it after about 2 months from the time of planting.

Alokaziya calidora is propagated only by tubers; this beautiful plant does not reproduce with leaves on a long thickened root that rises above the pot.

Reproduction by leaves of alocasia

For reproduction, take the lower leaf blade along with the cuttings. For several hours, the leaf is kept, giving it the opportunity to reduce the swelling. After that, the petiole is cut, treated with a root formation stimulator and fixed in a special substrate for rooting.

A humid warm microclimate, airing is constantly maintained, and in a month young roots will come out. After that, the leaf is planted in prepared dishes with nutrient soil, but they continue to care for it in greenhouse conditions until the arrow of the next leaf appears from the ground, which means that the plant has taken root and started growing. During reproduction with a leaf of alocasia, you need to treat it like a baby, avoiding cooling, drafts, drying out or excessive moisture.

A plant purchased in a store must be transplanted as soon as the quarantine period has passed. Alocasia grown according to Dutch technology feed on hormones that will quickly run out and the bush will begin to starve. To prevent this from happening, the plant needs to change the soil, at the same time to plant the extra basal rosettes and nodules that have arisen. This is material for subsequent reproduction. Even a flower that has shed its leaves can be revived by transplanting the rhizome into a new substrate.

Seed propagation of alocasia

At home, alocasia does not bloom often, and seeds are very rare. They are formed on the cob in the form of red or yellow berries. Seed germination is maintained while they are in a wet shell. Therefore, you need to propagate alocasia with seeds fresh, when they are still wet. For seeds, light and sour soil is prepared based on peat, humus and sand. Close the seeds superficially, but take measures to keep the layer moist by covering the container with glass or film. Seedlings are sprayed, dived twice and later transplanted to a permanent place. Alocasia of variegated varieties are mainly propagated by seeds. Other propagation methods do not guarantee the beauty of the leaves.

Stem cuttings are rooted in a special substrate, just like leaves.

Proper care for alocasia - video

If the flower has taken root at home and pleases with its beautiful view not only the owners, but also the guests, there will always be those who want to have the same one. Today we will tell you how to propagate this tropical plant at home in order to finally keep the promise made to your best friend and give her a little alocasia.

There are 4 ways to propagate this plant, but not each of them is suitable at a particular time for a particular type of plant.

How does this flower reproduce?

In nature

Under natural conditions, alocasia reproduces mainly in a vegetative way, forming daughter plants next to the mother.

There is also self-seeding from seeds that ripen in orange berries - the fruits of alocasia.

At home

It is extremely difficult to get flower seeds in an apartment, so flower growers resort to simpler and more effective ways to get new plants:

• The division of the bush.
• Leaf reproduction.
• Tubers (children).

Let's take a closer look at each of these methods.

How to propagate?

leaf

To implement this method you need to cut off the bottom leaf from the alocasia bush and root it in nutrient soil.

1. To stimulate root growth, it is better to hold the cutting for 2-3 hours in a root solution.
2. After that, the leaf is placed in a container with soil to a depth of 2-3 cm, the soil is well shed and covered with a plastic transparent bag or a cut plastic bottle (depending on the capacity of the pot and the size of the leaf.). It will turn out a small greenhouse, which will create the necessary microclimate.
3. It is necessary to water in 1-2 days, avoiding drafts.

In a month, you can expect the appearance of small roots.

Important! The procedure should be performed with gloves, since the juice of the plant is a strong allergen.

Children (daughter tubers)

In the spring, from March to May, tubers form in many varieties of alocasia next to the mother plant. Often they are clearly visible on the surface and they can be separated without removing the plant from the pot.

1. The tubers are separated from the mother plant with a sharp knife.
2. For sprouting children, sphagnum moss is most often used. Tubers should be placed in it and then regularly moistened during the germination period. The required temperature is not lower than +22.
3. To maintain the required air humidity, a plastic bag is put on the container and a mini-greenhouse is formed.

Only after the germination of the tuber and the unfolding of the first leaf, the young plant is transplanted into a full-fledged soil.

The division of the rhizome

When propagating alocasia by dividing the rhizome, it must be borne in mind that this method of reproduction is best combined with a planned plant transplant(late March - early May). This will save your pet from unnecessary stress.

1. The plant is taken out of the pot and carefully, trying not to damage the roots, remove the soil. If the substrate is too dense, it is washed out with water.
2. The liberated rhizome is divided with a sharp knife so that each division has a rosette of leaves, or a growth bud. The cut sites are carefully treated with crushed charcoal and left to dry for an hour.
3. After the cut has dried, alocasia is planted in a suitable soil mixture and the soil is shed well.

Within a week after the procedure, the ambient temperature should not fall below +23 degrees. Besides, you need to regularly spray the plant until the leaves regain their elasticity.

Attention! During this period, it is better to shade alocasia, as bright sunlight will stimulate the growth of green mass and may interfere with rooting.

seeds

As already mentioned, the difficulty of propagating alocasia by seeds lies in the fact that it is extremely difficult to get the latter. With loss of moisture seeds quickly lose their germination capacity, so they need to be sown immediately after harvest. However, if you still managed to get the seeds or get them yourself from the fruits, then you can safely get down to business.

There is one more a modern way of germinating seeds - in plastic bags with a zipper.

1. Fill the bag with wet perlite, put the seeds in, and then inflate the bag with air and close the clasp. Make sure that the ratio of perlite and air in the bag is 5% and 95% respectively.
2. Air the bag daily until the alocasia seeds germinate. The percentage of germination can be increased by placing the bag in bright light and providing a daytime temperature of about 27-28 degrees. At the same time, at night, the thermometer should not fall below 20-22 ºС.
3. Seed germination time ranges from a few days to three weeks.

Reference! The seed method of reproduction is not suitable for variegated forms of alocasia, since hybrids do not transmit their artificially bred properties by inheritance. They can be propagated vegetatively: by leaves, children, or by dividing the rhizome.

What difficulties may arise?

In addition to poor seed germination, difficulties may arise when dividing the rhizome. We are talking about extracting a plant from an old pot, since the roots practically grow into it. If this problem occurs, try using a wooden stick or pencil.

Aftercare for young plants

How successfully alocasia takes root depends to a greater extent not on the chosen method of reproduction, but on compliance with the conditions of care.

• The main and basic requirement is air humidity. The optimal indicator is 80%.
• Alokaziya does not like dust, so you need to regularly wipe its leaves with a damp cloth or arrange a warm tropical shower from the shower in the bathroom.
• Twice a month, rooted seedlings are fed with nitrogen fertilizers in order to stimulate the growth of green mass. However, top dressing begins only when at least 3 unfolded leaves are formed on it.
• The frequency of watering depends on the season. In summer, the plant is watered 3 times a week, in winter - once.
• Young alocasia require an annual transplant and, as they grow, gradually move to heavier, stable pots.

Subject to all the requirements for caring for a tropical guest, she readily breeds and practically does not get sick.

A modern human dwelling is often a stone box filled with furniture and appliances. Phenol fumes from furniture are released into the closed space. Fonit technique, producing and emitting harmful ions, a person smokes, launches the dirty air of the city into the apartment. Plants standing on racks and window sills absorb this dirt and release oxygen, its ions, and phytoncides in return. Large specimens, which include alocasia, are spectacular and useful. Therefore, connoisseurs of the microclimate and beauty give birth to alocasia, and caring for it at home is not difficult.

Why alocasia became a houseplant

Have flower growers wondered why from time immemorial, by hook or by crook, travelers and botanists brought overseas plants from distant countries? Why did most of them not perish, but multiplied by hybrid forms? Some travelers risked their lives to get a new specimen for their botanical garden. Later it turned out that in addition to beauty, plants are priceless for their medicinal properties. It turns out that they not only absorb the hostile substances around us, but process them into poisons that heal in small quantities.

Our ancestors did not have as much knowledge as they do now, but intuitively chose and brought useful medicinal plants, which became homemade. Therefore, an indoor alocasia flower in an apartment is a danger to children and animals, and it should be cared for with protective gloves. But people love it, and gave their affectionate names - shamrock, weatherman. In folk medicine of eastern countries, among the natives of the tropics, this plant is used to treat such serious diseases as cancer, ulcers of various origins. Look!

Photo alocasia and home care

Any plant brought from afar requires certain conditions for life. The unhurried selection of nature for centuries has adapted plants to a region with special properties. Therefore, it is necessary to create special conditions for guests to live. And it even blooms when spring is in our homeland, and we have winter. It is important for the grower to find such care conditions to ensure the health of the plant in the home of people with other comfort requirements. Alocasia care in the photo will take a long time for a mature seven-year-old plant to bloom.

An inexperienced lover of home plants, acquiring alocasia, may encounter a number of problems caused by improper care:

1. Very slow growth of new leaves.
2. The plant is lethargic, the leaves have drooped, watering does not restore the tugor.
3. The leaves not only drooped, but turn yellow and dry, the lower ones fall off.
4. The dark green leaf becomes pale, the variegated leaves lose their decorative effect.
5. Dark spots appear on the leaves or the petiole begins to rot.

All these signs are the result of improper maintenance of the plant. Therefore, it is necessary to comply with the basic requirements of agricultural technology.

Initially, you should provide an indoor flower alocasia with a permanent place. It should not be touched by the sun's rays and drafts when airing the apartment. At the same time, the plant needs a lot of light, sometimes artificial lighting can be created.

You can not put the plant in a damp cold corner. For prosperity, the use of lower soil heating in a pot is practiced. If the roots are warm, they deliver food to the aerial parts faster and the plant prospers. In warm soil, phytophthora and root rot will not develop.

The tropical plant alocasia likes to be kept at a temperature of 21-27 0 in summer and not lower than 18 in winter. At the same time, winter maintenance should be with additional illumination so that the day is at least 10 hours.

A resident of the tropics loves the high humidity of the surrounding air. It is comfortable for her to be at 80% humidity in the room. This humidity is not suitable for people. Therefore, a compromise is reached when keeping the plant in the kitchen or in the bathroom and next to the aquarium. You can set a pot of alocasia on a pallet filled with moss and expanded clay, which evaporate moisture around the plant. A humidifier will do. However, additional spraying with a fine spray and wiping the leaves with a damp sponge is also necessary.

Wet soil in a pot with alocasia is a prerequisite for summer maintenance. Watering is carried out every other day with settled soft water, the liquid that has flowed out through the drainage hole is removed. When watering by the bottom method, the remaining water is drained after 30 minutes. Winter is reduced until the topsoil dries up. The roots should be in a moist, air-saturated substrate. Therefore, alocasia is transplanted as the substrate compacts, when the roots become cramped in the container. At first, the plant is transplanted annually, later every three years, choosing a large capacity, but cramped for overgrown roots.

We remind you that all parts of the plant are poisonous and secrete a burning juice. Therefore, work related to contact with sections should be carried out only with gloves, and eyes and mucous membranes should be protected. Wash hands and tools after work with soap and a brush.

Alocasia soil loves low acidity, better than special preparation. Requirements for the composition of the soil allow the use of various components, adhering to the conditions:

• soil acidity 5.5-6.5;
• good moisture capacity;
• high air saturation;
• the presence of mineral components of various composition.

The addition of porous charcoal forms active centers for mineral salts, nutrition for the root system.

When transplanting alocasia, a deep container is used, since the roots of the plant are not superficial, deep. However, the container for alocasia should not be wide so that soil acidification zones do not form. The root system should fill the pot. Choose tall and conical vessels for stability. But there may be containers with vertical walls, if there is no danger of capsizing under the shift of the center of gravity, bent, heavy leaves of alocasia. Depending on the variety, with good care, alocasia at home can reach a height of two meters.

Tips from experienced flower growers specializing in alocasia

If the plant was purchased in a specialized store, a greenhouse, it is necessary to arrange quarantine for it for two weeks. When diseases or pests are found, it is easier to cure one plant than to infect an entire home garden. Monitoring should be carried out to detect:

• scale insects:
• spider mite;
• , phytophthora and powdery mildew.

Transplant a healthy plant into a new soil, completely clearing the greenhouse substrate, while preserving the roots as much as possible.

When preparing the planting soil, add vermiculite and perlite in an amount equal to a quarter of the substrate. They regulate the humidity in the pot and fill the composition with the necessary nutrient salts. Animal horn shavings can be used instead of vermiculite. The action is the same.

If a plant sheds leaves, it does not mean that it has died. The root system may be healthy and alocasia will grow back. To do this, you need to remove the container with the roots in a dark place with a temperature of about 17 0, very rarely moisten and expose to light after 2 months. Within a month, the first shoots should appear. Sometimes stubborn people sleep for up to six months.

After flowering, the plant inevitably loses its decorative effect. This is a normal physiological process, you should continue to care for the indoor flower alocasia , and his beauty will return.

The use of the lower heating of the earth coma is effective both in the propagation of the plant and during the growing season. By following the rules of care, you can not take care of the health of pets. A strong flower will overcome external misfortunes on its own.

Features of alocasia polly - video

Alocasia (Alocasia amazonica) relatively recently appeared on the flower market and immediately became a desirable plant for gardeners. It is a suitable plant for greenhouses, showcases or conservatories.

Origin and description of alocasia

Despite its second name "amazonica", the Alocasia flower has nothing to do with the Amazon. It originates from tropical Asia. Today, this plant can be found in New Guinea, the Philippines and Malaysia. The flower was first described in 1839 and, like the philodendron, anthurium or pothos, belongs to the aroid family, which is famous for flowers with beautiful leaves. This family has a total of about 70 species of plants, in which the common feature is the same structure of flowers.

Alocasia has typical, dark green, heart-shaped leaves with distinct, so-called veins. The lower part of the leaves, as a rule, has a purple hue, and the edges, depending on the variety, are smooth or wavy. Under room conditions, the length of the stem reaches 50 cm in height, on which leaves grow 20-50 cm long. In the tropical forests, from where alocasia came to us, it is not uncommon to find a five-meter flower with a meter-long stem. Because of its appearance and ornamental leaf outlines, alocasia is sometimes referred to as "elephant's ear" or "African mask". In our stores, you can most often find Alocasia amazonica and Alocasia sanderiana or its hybrid called Alocasia polly, which is bright in color and has serrated leaves. This is usually a more durable plant, it can easily withstand dry air, which cannot be said about other species.

In appearance, this is a completely nondescript flower, but those who have seen how alocasia blooms will never be indifferent to it. The plant blooms very rarely and this happens in adult units. With improper care, it may not bloom at all. Alocasia flowers are small, but fragrant. In the wild, they smell strong and very pleasant.

plant care

If you are a fan of indoor flowers, then growing alocasia will be a real challenge for you. This difficult "lady" requires special attention. Her care requirements are quite high.

Lighting conditions

Alocasia is not very demanding on light and can easily grow in the dark corners of an apartment or house. In the summer, exposure to direct, sunlight is undesirable, due to which burns may appear on the leaves. The ideal location for the plant would be windows facing north or west.

Temperature

As a lover of tropical and subtropical climates, alocasia needs a fairly high temperature. In summer, it should be 25 ° C and above, and in winter not lower than 18 ° C.

Air humidity

This flower loves high humidity, so dry rooms are detrimental when growing alocasia. If you don't have a sprayer, periodically wipe the leaves with a soft, damp cloth. With regular moistening, alocasia successfully blooms in apartment conditions. Sometimes a bowl of water or expanded clay standing on the windowsill is enough, the moisture of which will soar in the air and settle on the leaves.

Watering

The second important indicator in growing is watering the plant, which should be plentiful.

Alocasia: care for a spectacular tropican

The flower should not dry out, even in winter the substrate should remain slightly moist. The bottom of the flower pot should never be in water, as the roots of the alocasia will start to rot. The plant should be irrigated with soft water, preferably boiled or rainwater. When using tap water, there is a risk of brown spots on the leaves. The temperature of the water also matters, it should be at room temperature. The plant does not tolerate watering with cold water. Too much water or drought can be deadly for alocasia, so this needs to be monitored carefully.

In winter, alocasia survives only thanks to underground tubers that nourish the plant from the inside. Therefore, at the end of October, it is necessary to gradually limit watering, let the substrate dry out a little, and the leaves dry completely. Remove them afterwards.

Every spring, young plants are transplanted into a new substrate with a high content of peat, adult flowers are transplanted every two years. It is necessary to fertilize alocasia once a week from March to October with a regular or special liquid fertilizer for deciduous plants.

reproduction

Propagation of alocasia is a little tricky, but when transplanted, the plant can be divided quite easily. Propagation by leaf cuttings is more difficult, you must maintain high humidity and the right temperature.

Healing properties of alocasia

Although alocasia is a toxic flower, some species are grown as medicinal plants. The Chinese make drugs against tuberculosis from the leaves of the flower, and the stems are used to make medicines for indigestion and toothache. Alocasia tubers contain a lot of starch and are quite edible. In some parts of the world, the leaves and stems of the plant are eaten, but they must be thoroughly boiled before serving.

We most often use alocasia tincture for the treatment of joint pain, osteochondrosis. You can cook it yourself by filling the leaves with 40% alcohol. After moistening the swab in tincture and wipe the affected area.

Diseases of alocasia

Regular irrigation and proper care of alocasia at home prevents the appearance of pests that thrive in dry air. Aphids and whiteflies may appear on the leaves, red spider mites and worms can also attack the plant. In these cases, it will be better to use special sprays and pest control products. Home methods, such as rubbing the leaves with soap and water or irrigating with a liquid containing tobacco extract, have little effect.

Sometimes, after hypothermia, ugly, brown spots may appear on the leaves. Their spread and reproduction cannot be avoided, except to let the substrate dry out. Dried leaves must be removed and the watering of the flower restored. Alocasia will grow quickly with new, unspoiled leaves. All the same should be done if the leaves are scorched by the sun.

Attention!

As an indoor flower, alocasia is not suitable for owners of cats and dogs, as well as families with small children. This elegant beauty, unfortunately, is poisonous (the exception is Alocasia microrrhiza) and caution does not hurt even when transplanting a plant. Simply touching the plant can cause skin irritation and swelling. Their tissues contain a large amount of toxic substances and calcium oxalate, which can cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract when ingested. In some cases, it can also cause pulmonary edema, leading to severe breathing difficulties. A taste test of the leaves can cause nausea, diarrhea, in the worst case, death from the entry of poison into the blood. Be careful and wear gloves with each manipulation of alocasia, and then wash your hands with soap and water.

Tropical beauty alocasia. Features of the content.

which differ in the shape and size of the leaves, their color, the height of the plant itself.

Alocasia (alocasia) is a fairly rare tropical plant in indoor culture, although in recent years it has become more popular. The genus Alocasia belongs to the aroid family and has more than fifty species,

At the same time, all alocasias have characteristic features - the leaves are dense, thyroid-shaped, oval with a pointed end, the veins are pronounced. The leaves are located on long, succulent petioles and have stomata on the surface of the leaves, through which the plant sheds excess moisture.

Alocasia is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It grows wild in Malaysia, Ceylon. During the rainy season, when the plant is not able to absorb all the water that enters the soil, the leaves begin to “cry”. Home alocasia begins to release droplets of water with excessive watering and excessive humidity. Since the humidity of the air rises before the rain, it is often said that the alocasia flower predicts rain.

Alocasia tuberous plants. In the people, alocasia is sometimes called "elephant's ear", "trefoil".

As indoor plants, only a few types of alocasia are grown. Some of them reach up to 1 m in length (in nature up to 3 m).

This exotic tropical wonder is deservedly recognized as one of the most magnificent deciduous ornamental plants. Alocasia is a wonderful interior decoration, they look good in bright halls, foyers, winter gardens, near artificial ponds and fountains.

Alocasia blooms very rarely. Its fragrant small flowers of pale color are collected in an inflorescence-cob of white-pink color, partially covered with a leaf-blanket. When pollinated, fruits-berries are formed with seeds inside.

It is believed that the flowers of alocasia should be removed, since leaves do not grow during flowering, but the main beauty of this decorative leafy plant is in the leaves. The cut point must be treated with crushed coal.

All parts of alocasia are poisonous. The juice of the plant has irritating properties, it is not desirable that it gets on open skin and mucous membranes. Place the plant out of the reach of children and animals.

Usage

Alokaziya odorous has healing properties and is used in Chinese traditional medicine. The stem is used to prepare preparations used for stomach pain and toothache. Leaf preparations are used in the treatment of pneumonia and tuberculosis. But since alocasia, like almost all aroids, is poisonous, you should not experiment with drugs.

Some types of alocasia are grown for their edible tubers, which are rich in krasmal.

Vydy alocasia

Alocasia amazonica

Alocasia calidora

Alocasia cucullata

Alocasia cuprea

Alocasia Black Velvet

Alocasia lowii

Care and maintenance of room alocasia

Alocasia is quite unpretentious, requires regular, but simple care. It grows well in warm and humid microclimates. If you provide your tropical beauty with conditions close to natural, then she will delight you with her exotic beauty.

If the leaves on alocasia periodically turn yellow and disappear (one at a time, and not all at once), this is a normal process - a new one is already growing in place of the missing one.

Lighting. Alocasia loves bright light, but it needs to be shaded from direct sunlight in summer.

Some types of alocasia, in particular copper-red and Amazonian, need additional lighting in winter.

Temperature. Heat-loving, does not like temperature changes. In no case do not keep in a draft. In summer, the ideal temperature is about +20 degrees, and in winter it is not lower than +18.

Air humidity. Alocasia prefers high humidity. In summer, in hot weather, it needs spraying. To create additional air humidity, you can place a pot with a plant on a pallet with wet expanded clay or pebbles; in winter, when the heating is on, a humidifier will be useful.

Watering. Abundant in the summer, the earth should never dry out. It is often watered with soft settled water so that the earth in the pot is constantly wet (it is advisable to immediately drain the water from the pan). In winter, watering alocasia is moderate and very careful. For most species, excessive watering leads to root rot.

Fertilizer. In spring and summer, alocasia needs top dressing every 2-3 weeks. It is best to use a complex mineral fertilizer for indoor plants.

Transfer. The soil for alocasia must be nutritious. For good growth, a substrate that is well permeable to moisture and air and slightly acidic (pH about 5.5) is needed. Transplanted annually, usually in early spring, adult plants two years later. Soil - 1 part of leafy soil, 1 part of coniferous, 1 part of peat and 0.5 parts of sand. An earth mixture composed of sand, garden and greenhouse soil in equal parts is suitable.

For large specimens, transplantation can be replaced by transshipment into a larger diameter pot. Pots are better to take high.

Alocasia reproduction, germination from a nodule, resuscitation, rest.

Good drainage is required.

Reproduction. Alocasia can be propagated in different ways: by seeds, rhizome division, offspring or daughter tubers, stem cuttings.

Varieties with variegated leaves cannot be propagated by seeds - variegated signs are not betrayed. Sow the seeds immediately after harvest, shallow in a light substrate (leaf or peat soil and sand). To ensure high humidity, cover with glass or film on top. Temperature 22-24°C and regular spraying. Shoots dive, then transplanted into small pots. Large leaves appear in a year.

It is much easier to propagate alocasia by offspring or daughter tubers. When dividing the rhizome and harvesting stem cuttings, do not forget to sprinkle the cuts with charcoal. For rooting, the substrate is the same as for sowing seeds. You can cover the planted cuttings with a film.

Pests and diseases of alocasia The most common pests of alocasia are aphids and spider mites. In addition, it is affected by mealybugs and scale insects. Contributes to the appearance of pests dry air and high temperature. If pests are found, if the infection has not gone far, gently wipe the leaves and stems with a soapy sponge. In case of severe damage, you can use Actellik solution (1-2 ml per liter of water) or another similar remedy.

Other plants from the Aroid family:

Alocasia- a controversial plant, in the sense that opinions differ on the possibility of keeping this exotic beauty. Some say that alocasia does not live long in an apartment, that it is a purely greenhouse plant, others refute this opinion, successfully growing and even propagating alocasia at home. I would rather agree with the latter - alocasia has never caused me any particular difficulties in leaving. During our “collaboration” with her, I learned that she does not tolerate cold, and in combination with excessive watering, this is generally death, though not for the plant itself, but for the leaves, which, most likely, will have to be cut if you do not keep the plant warm and continue to water abundantly at the same time.

Alocasia from nodules.

During transplants can be found small nodules on the roots of an adult plant. The nodules that have ripened and are ready for germination fall off the roots themselves - you should not tear them off on purpose.
If you nevertheless become the proud owner of alocasia nodules - do not rush to throw them away, because you can get new plants from them. This process, however, is long. A nodule for prevention can be soaked in epine, keep it in solution from several hours to a day. Also, in order to protect it from rot, you can treat the nodule with potassium permanganate, a weak, light pink solution. Or you can wrap the nodules in a leaf of aloe tree cut along. In this state, they are left for a day.
Then nodules can be dug into the soil. Coco-soil can also be used for germination. For successful germination, the soil temperature should be 27-30 ° C - you can put a mini-greenhouse on the windowsill, under which the battery is located - then a high temperature is provided. Do not forget to ventilate the greenhouse and water it in a timely manner so that the nodules do not dry out.
If you used cocsoil, then after germination, the appearance of several leaves, the plants are transplanted into a light acidic soil.

Do not forget that both young and adult alocasia plants need to be sprayed frequently.

Alocasia resuscitation.

If the plant is sick, I advise in any case not to lose hope until the last. Especially if this plant belongs to the aroid. Calatheas, ctenantes, alocasias and aglaonemas are surprisingly tenacious plants, especially if the factor that has a detrimental effect on them is excluded in time.
Even if alocasia has lost all the leaves, this is not a reason to carry the pot to the trash. Firstly, it is possible to obtain new young plants from nodules (the technology is described above).

Alocasia: how to care at home

Secondly, even a plant without leaves is able to recover completely after a while. Alokaziya has a shortened trunk - it is of the main value for us, because it has dormant buds.
To begin with, inspect the plant, if there is rot on it, remove it and always with a supply of healthy tissue. Then you need to cut off all rotten and damaged roots. Do not be afraid if after this operation there are no roots at all, the main thing is not to let the rot spread further, because for the buds to germinate, you will need to hold the plants in conditions of high humidity and heat, and these are ideal conditions for the development of rot, so it must be removed very carefully. Sprinkle slices with charcoal, you can sprinkle with crumbs of activated charcoal. Next, you need to wrap the trunk with moss, and live in a transparent container. (mini-greenhouse) You can not ventilate, but be sure to moisten regularly so that the trunk does not dry out.
You will be surprised when, after a while, roots appear from a seemingly lifeless "stump", and then leaves. When the plant grows up, it can be transplanted into the soil mixture, but it is still advisable to keep the plants under a jar or in a mini-greenhouse for some time, until the root system grows.

Rest period.

Who would have thought, but peace is good for alocasia. In autumn, the leaves begin to turn yellow, they can be cut off during this period, and the plant itself can be removed from the windowsill. Watering is greatly reduced. It is possible to expose alocasia to light in January-February, watering is increased gradually until leaves appear. After such a rest, Sander's alocasia grows up to 8 large leaves.

For many years, Alocasia has amazed flower growers who have seen a lot with their exquisite beauty. Despite this, not everyone can grow it, as it is often difficult to maintain the recommended temperature, humidity levels and lighting. At the same time, such worries are not at all burdensome, especially when you contemplate on your windowsill an amazing creation of nature - Alocasia. Experienced flower growers should know by heart how to care for this plant at home in order to surprise guests with the lush foliage of a flower at every opportunity.

Origin story

The flower came to our region from the tropics of South Asia. The climatic features of these places instilled in Alocasia the ability to release excess moisture from the foliage, which accumulates during the rainy season. Even indoor alocasia are sensitive to changes in humidity. A flower can announce their owners about waterlogging in the room or warn of a rainy cyclone approaching the area. Alocasia does this through small droplets of moisture protruding on the surface of the leaf.

Alocasia is one of the most beautiful representatives of the Aroid family. It differs from its counterparts in the high decorative foliage. An interesting fact: many housewives do not know that all the leaves of Alocasia grow from a single stem, so thin that it is simply invisible due to bushiness. Although Alocasia is also considered a herbaceous plant, it is formed into an evergreen luxurious bush. The plant has a tuberous rhizome. Different types of flower have sizes from 20 cm and reach up to 3 meters, which allows any grower to choose for himself exactly the Alocasia that suits the interior and the size of the room.

One flower bush has, as a rule, from 4 to 8 leaves. Interestingly, as soon as 5 leaves appear, the older leaves begin to die off, but even with such a few foliage, the plant looks great.

In most species of Alocasia, the leaves are relatively large, up to half a meter in length, glossy and hard. The leaves have the shape of an elongated heart with curly edges and pointed corners. Light embossed streaks are clearly traced by nature on their surface.

Alocasia - flowering plant, which has fairly inconspicuous flowers. Housewives who buy this plant primarily for its appearance than for its flowers, especially since Alocasia rarely blooms at home. The plant is valued primarily for its beautiful lush leaves, although it is pleasant for every grower to contemplate white-pink rosettes of small flowers as a result of their labors. A plant from the tropics perfectly adapts to the climatic conditions of our houses and apartments, especially greenhouses, in which everything is done for the comfort of large tropical plant species.

Most experienced flower growers it is strongly recommended to get rid of flower stalks even before flowering, because they take all the strength from Alocasia, stopping the growth of foliage.

If the flowering of Alocasia is a matter of principle, then after, as a result of self-pollination, the plant can even produce fruits, each of which will contain up to 6 seeds.

The most popular varieties

All varieties are characterized by common features, however, they differ in size and variety of leaves. Flower growers distinguish about 70 species of tropical beauty, but not all of them are suitable alocasia care at home.

The most beautiful varieties of Alocasia:

The most favorite variety of all housewives is Alocasia Polly. It is she who can be seen on the windows of flower shops. . Polly - the plant is unpretentious and does not require careful care, so it is actively developing in almost any conditions of the apartment and any employment of the hostess. Polly has beautiful glossy burgundy-green leaves with light green veins.

Landing and further transplant

Having brought a plant from the store, the first thing I want to do is put it in the most beautiful pot. This can be done only after a few weeks, but for now you can learn the rules for caring for alocasia at home.

Basic Rule, which should guide the grower when choosing soil for Alocasia - slightly acidic environment (within pH 5.5–6), nutritional value and low density.

If you want to independently prepare a mixture for planting or transplanting a plant, then you first need to determine the age of the flower. The following mixture is ideal for young plants:

• leaf ground - 4 parts;
• peat - 4 parts;
• coniferous land - 4 parts;
• crushed sphagnum moss - 1 part;
• coarse sand or perlite - 1 part.

For large plants older than 3 years, the above mixture should be further enriched with 1 part of humus and thoroughly mixed with the ground.

The most trouble-free and simple option for selecting soil is to buy it in a store. A ready-made composition for deciduous ornamental plants ensures the full development of alocasia, taking into account all its needs. If hard water is used for irrigation water, the plant will do better in a more acidic soil for hydrangeas and azaleas.

Alocasia is a heavy and rather massive plant, therefore, to ensure sufficient nutrition and stability of the rhizome, you need to choose deep large pots with drainage holes. The material does not matter, it remains at the discretion of the grower. Like any other plant, alocasia will be much more comfortable living in a heavy ceramic container, but a plastic one will do.

Pledge of beauty and health of alocasia- Moist and well-drained soil. Good air exchange for the rhizome can be organized with a drainage layer of ¼ of the total volume. Classical drainage, as a rule, is expanded clay, small gravel, pebbles and broken majolica.

As a native of the tropics, alocasia is a very moisture-loving plant. It requires almost daily watering in the warm season. The optimal watering regimen is every other day. In no case should water be allowed to accumulate in the pan. The flower loves leaf moisture, so daily spraying will do her good.

In the winter season, watering and spraying should be reduced. Checking if it's time to water alocasia is easy. To do this, you need to probe the soil at a depth of 1 cm, if the ground is dry further, then the plant wants to drink. If the room temperature is high, or there is not enough moisture, winter spraying should be continued too. This should be done only in the morning hours, when the sun is shining through the window.

top dressing

The traditional dressing regimen of alocasia, recommended by experienced flower growers, occurs with the help of complex and organic mineral fertilizers. Feeding should be carried out at intervals of 2 weeks during the period of active growth, that is, from mid-spring to early autumn. The flower gladly accepts complex fertilizers intended for deciduous ornamental plants. The dosage of fertilizers is necessary take less than indicated by the manufacturer on the package, as a rule, 2 times. In winter, top dressing should be done once a month.

Blooming Alocasia

Not everyone was lucky enough to observe the flowering of this plant, since at home it blooms very rarely. At the same time, Alocasia actively sheds its leaves, which not everyone likes. There are two ways to survive the flowering of a plant:

• cut off the peduncle, which has already managed to form and sprinkle it with crushed coal;
• let the plant bloom.

The peduncle, which has already faded, must be cut off to prevent the ripening of berries, which noticeably depletes the plant.

reproduction

Alocasia reproduces mainly vegetatively. Due to the loss of its decorative effect by the plant during flowering and fruit ripening, flower growers rarely bring the plant to flowering, which greatly complicates seed propagation. Moreover, the seeds usually give very low germination rates. The main reason that alocasia is not propagated by seeds is that with this type, varietal characteristics of variegated specimens are not preserved. A full-fledged plant can be grown in this way only after a year.

The most effective and simple methods are the division of the rhizome, cuttings and seedlings of tubers. At the same time, young alocasia can be seen already in the second month of his life.

Reproduction by division of the rhizome

An adult plant is able to grow independent daughter shoots with separate roots. During spring planting it would be best to spread them out. The procedure for dividing the rhizome is simple:

1. A root ball with earth is taken out of the pot.
2. The earth from the rhizome is washed.
3. The shoots are separated from the main plant with a sharp sterile knife.
4. Slices are sprinkled with crushed coal.
5. Children are seated in separate pots, suitable in size, equipped with a light drainage substrate.

tuber seating

Another effective and simple way to propagate alocasia is to separate the tubers during transplantation. The process consists of several steps:

With such a simple breeding procedure, seedlings can be expected in 4-5 weeks.

Cutting propagation

This method is much less popular and is used by flower growers mainly when the plant is damaged. For breeding Alocasia with the help of cuttings you need to do the following:

1. Split the broken stem.
2. With a sharp knife, divide it into pieces so that each has 1, maximum 2 kidneys.
3. Deepen the pieces into a sand-peat mixture for a couple of centimeters and pour over.
4. Create a greenhouse effect using a film, can or glass.
5. Children need to be aired every day for 10-15 minutes, removing the cover.
6. After 4-5 weeks, when rooting has occurred, the greenhouse should be removed and the young should be planted in suitable pots with drainage.

Alocasia is a tropical, bright and incredibly beautiful miracle that can decorate a house or apartment with any interior. It only takes a little time to maintain a comfortable temperature, humidity and lighting, and in return pleases the eye for many years, bringing a unique touch of exoticism to the grower's house.

indoor plant alocasia