Alocasia

Gender Alocasia contains up to 70 species of herbaceous rhizomatous perennial evergreen plants. In all climatic zones (except tropical ones), they are grown as an indoor decorative-leaved crop. The heart-shaped or lance-shaped basal leaves grow on well-developed erect petioles. Only adult plants bloom, no younger than 3-4 years. Indian alocasia (Alocasia indica) grows up to 2 m, has large, almost heart-shaped leaves. The most common varieties are: 'Metal', the leaves of which are characterized by a metallic hue and 'Beloit', with pronounced veins on the leaf plates, looks very compact. Alocasia lowiiis a 60 cm tall species with large triangular olive-green leaves, leathery to the touch, with 30-35 cm petioles. Alocasia Sandera (A. sanderiana) grows up to 2 m in height, is distinguished by large silvery-green shield-shaped leaves on long petioles. Distinct white veins give the leaves a special beauty. Alocasia Amazonica (A. x amazonica) - hybrid of alocasia Lowe's and alocasia Sunder, 1.5-2 m high with shield-shaped dark green leaves with white-silver veins. In nature, the leaf plates are very large-60 x 30 cm. Often grown alocasia large-root (A. macrorhiza), up to 3 m high, with bright green, up to 1 m long foxes, flowers are collected in an ear.

Gender Alocasia contains up to 70 species of herbaceous rhizomatous perennial evergreen plants. In all climatic zones (except tropical ones), they are grown as an indoor decorative-leaved crop. The heart-shaped or lance-shaped basal leaves grow on well-developed erect petioles. Only adult plants bloom, no younger than 3-4 years.

Indian alocasia (Alocasia indica) grows up to 2 m, has large, almost heart-shaped leaves. The most common varieties are: 'Metal', the leaves of which are characterized by a metallic hue and 'Beloit', with pronounced veins on the leaf plates, looks very compact.

Alocasia lowiiis a 60 cm tall species with large triangular olive-green leaves, leathery to the touch, with 30-35 cm petioles.

Alocasia Sandera (A. sanderiana) grows up to 2 m in height, is distinguished by large silvery-green shield-shaped leaves on long petioles. Distinct white veins give the leaves a special beauty.

Alocasia Amazonica (A. x amazonica) - hybrid of alocasia Lowe's and alocasia Sunder, 1.5-2 m high with shield-shaped dark green leaves with white-silver veins. In nature, the leaf plates are very large-60 x 30 cm.

Often grown alocasia large-root (A. macrorhiza), up to 3 m high, with bright green, up to 1 m long foxes, flowers are collected in an ear.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Alocasia is grown in pots as indoor crops in a substrate of turf, peat, humus and sand (2:2:3:2) with the addition of moss or pieces of charcoal. In spring and summer, 2 times a month, they are fed with liquid complex fertilizer. Alocasia Sunder and alocasia Amazonica need additional lighting in winter; they grow better in high humidity.

Location

The plant is light-loving, but easily tolerates shading; it is afraid of sunburn.

Temperature

In winter, it is necessary to maintain a relatively high temperature - not lower than 17 °C for all the described species, in summer the optimal air temperature is 21 °C.

Watering

Ambient humidity is maintained at 80-85%. In spring and summer, alocasia should be watered regularly and sprayed frequently.

Transplant

Transplanted in spring into a loose substrate.

Reproduction

Propagated by suckers, division of rhizomes or by sowing seeds in spring in a warm place.

Diseases

Alocasia is often affected by ticks, especially in dry environments. Carry out the treatment with acaricides and maintain the air humidity at a higher level in the future.

Acquisition

Alocasia is easily found in large horticultural centers and nurseries. Make sure that the plants are perfectly healthy.