Alocasia is a genus from the phratry Araceae . Native to semitropic and tropical Asia and Eastern Australia , there are over 90 consent species of Alocasia . normally know as Elephant Ear , these plant are widely cultivated as ornamental plants worldwide . Many people collect plants because of their beautiful , sometimes big , leave . This makes them one of the most essay - after plant genera .
Alocasia , also recognize as elephant ear plants , are more and more popular for their great , stunningly veined leaves . But like for these tropical beauties set about with getting the soil right . Alocasia are toilsome affluent that need a very specific stain mix to thrive . Keep read to learn the mystery to creating the perfect potting mix for your Alocasia industrial plant .
Why Soil Matters for Alocasia
Alocasia originate in the humid , tropical forests of Asia and Australia . They are accustomed to growing in strong , very dampish conditions in nutrient - plenteous , well - drain soil . recreate exchangeable status is key to successfully growing Alocasia as houseplants .
The main considerations for Alocasia soil are :
food - rich – Alocasia are overweight feeders and ask a soil high-pitched in organic matter This provide nutrients and mimics the flora ’s natural precondition .
Moisture - retentive – The soil must hold moisture well to keep their root consistently smashed . But it ca n’t get waterlogged
Well - draining – Excess water must debilitate through quickly to preclude rot the tooth root .
Aerated – Good airflow allows intelligent root word development .
get this balance right in a potting mix is essential for Alocasia to thrive indoors or on the patio Next let ’s look at the constituent to let in and avoid when creating an Alocasia blend .
Must-Have Alocasia Soil Ingredients
Here are the primal components to depend for in Alocasia potting premix :
Organic base
apply an organic floor like coco coir , worm castings or compost . This provides nutrients and moisture retention . purpose for around 30 % of the total mix .
Perlite
bestow perlite to improve drain and aeration . Perlite creates air pockets for better root growth . Shoot for around 20 % perlite content .
Orchid bark
Orchid bark not only aerates the soil , but also helps render the chunky texture Alocasia roots prefer . apply around 15 % in your mix .
Activated charcoal
A modest amount of touch off charcoal cleanse the dirt of impurities . Charcoal also advertize good bug . Use around 5 % charcoal .
Sphagnum moss
This retains lots of moisture while allowing flow of air . Sphagnum moss isolate roots and render humidness . Add 10 % to your mix .
With the right-hand ratios of these ingredients , you may make a customs duty soil with excellent drain , moisture retention and airflow . Next countenance ’s look at what to avoid in Alocasia soil .
What Not to Use in Alocasia Potting Mix
Some common potting mix ingredients can in reality harm Alocasia plant . Stay aside from :
Straight potting filth – Too dense and moisture - retentive .
Peat or coir pith – Compacts over time and suffocates roots .
Vermiculite – Holds excessive wet leading to moulder .
Sand or gravel – Too heavy and bring home the bacon no nutrients .
Too much bark or perlite – Can dry out too tight .
The secure result fall from conflate the urge ingredients in the ideal ratio for your specific surround . For example , more perlite and orchid bark improve drainage in humid surface area , while more coco coir and moss help retain moisture in juiceless climates .
Premium Pre-Mixed Alocasia Soil
While you could mix up your own custom portmanteau , pre - made Alocasia soil mixes the right components . High - quality options like Birdy ’s Plants Premium Alocasia Soil Mix take the guessing out of getting the thoroughgoing potting media . This ready - to - use soil is specially formulated with :
With a pre - sundry soil like this , you’re able to be sure-footed your Alocasia has everything it needs right in the grass . No fertilizing or adjusting need !
Potting Your Alocasia
When repotting or potting up your Alocasia , follow these crest for success :
Select a pot with drain golf hole 1 - 2 inch wider than the root lump .
Place a layer of pebbles or charcoal grey in the bottom for drainage .
cautiously loosen and untangle thick , tuberous roots before placing in smoke .
Surround rootage ball with premium soil , pressing mildly to remove air pockets .
go forth 1 in of place below the rim for lacrimation .
Water good until it drains from the bottom .
Proper tearing is also central – soak the stain completely but do n’t leave remain firm water supply . And ensure to fertilize regularly according to parcel directions during the growing season .
Troubleshooting Common Alocasia Soil Problems
Even with the utter potting premix , issue can cut back up . Here are some common Alocasia soil problems and fix :
Problem : Leaves yellowing or browning at steer
Cause : Nutrient deficiency
Fix : Fertilize more frequently and ensure soil has sufficient organic affair
job : Leaf spotting or loop
Cause : Overwatering
Fix : utilise more perlite / orchidaceous plant barque to improve drain
Problem : Drooping leaves
Cause : Too teetotal
Fix : Add more coco coir or moss to increase moisture retention
trouble : piteous root growth
Cause : Soil too dense
situate : Add more perlite and orchid barque to lighten texture
Adjusting the mix and take good lacrimation practices will keep your Alocasia expand for age to follow .
Let Your Alocasia Reach Its Full Potential
Alocasia are tropic hobo camp plant that require specific grime conditions to show off their splendidly large leaves indoors . mime their natural environment by creating a custom potting mix with excellent moisture retention , nutrient , drain and aeration . Or take the guesswork out of it with a ready - made premium soil like Birdy ’s Plants Alocasia Mix .
With the right soil understructure , your Alocasia will quickly show a vivacious root system and grow those gorgeous , iconic elephant ear leaves . So give your plants the potting media they crave , and savour watching your Alocasia reach their full potentiality .
What is the difference between Aroid Mix and regular potting mix?
Aroid Mix and regular potting mix that you could buy at garden stores are the two most common type of pot mix . Lets break these mixes down .
Aroid Mix is often very chunky and air . It is ordinarily made for flora with importantly thicker roots , making it a great generic land mix . It ’s possible for alocasia plants to have both tenuous and thick antecedent . They also require more nutrients than the most vulgar aroid flora , like Philodendron or Monstera . Aroid Mixes either have minimum constitutional nutrients or none at all . This mean you have to screen , measure , and figure out how often you want to fertilise your plant to give it the precise nutrients it would get in its natural environment . This can be difficult if you are new to pack care of plants or this is your first Alocasia .
Regular potting mix recipes , like those for ProMix or Miracle - Gro , are punk and prosperous to find out . This is why they are one of the most pop choices among plant collectors . Both of these soil mix are made with very little perlite and very little amount of moisture - retain components . Perlite is an important part that help the soil drain comfortably and suspire better , making air pockets that facilitate solution grow in a good for you way . If the soil does n’t debilitate well , your works will stay in wet soil , which will cause root rot and eventually death . to boot , both ProMix and Miracle - Gro have dull - outlet plant food as the main rootage of nutrient . This mean that the potting mix does n’t have any constitutional materials in it to sink in or air out the soil like an Aroid Mix or Birdys Plants Alocasia Mix would .
HOW TO CARE FOR ALOCASIA
Light : They care bright indirect or filtered light most of the time , but I ’ve noticed that Alocasia Black Velvet likes more or less shadier lighting than other types . However , direct sunlight can burn the leaves of your works , so check that they get the right amount of igniter for the dear results .
Water : Alocasia is a tropical plant that necessitate constant watering . You may necessitate to water your plant once or twice a week , count on the clip of year and the temperature inside . Ensure to let the pee run out thoroughly after every watering to reduce the chance of rootage rot .
I usually let the soil dry about 80 % before rewatering .
⛅ humidness : They thrive in high - humidness environment but can also handle mid - mellow humidness levels . I always keep them in a room with 55 % humidity . Purchasing a humidifier or grouping your plants can increase your humidness to adequate story .
