Copper-red alocasia: photos and subtleties of growing a guest from the island of Barneo

General information

Alocosia is the owner of large leaves with basal veins, located on well-developed thick petioles

The leaves of this flower seem to be specially created in order to attract attention. They are painted in a dark olive color, on which very light veins stand out brightly.

It is thanks to this feature that the plant began to be used for decorative purposes.

In addition to color, the leaves are striking in their outlandish shape and pointed edges. Because of this unusual appearance, people called alocasia "elephant ear", as it is often called by the people. This decorative flower has hydathodes, these are such narrow stomata, with the help of which plants release excess moisture in the form of drops. This skill is especially useful with excessive watering.

The inflorescences of Alokazia are racemose-shaped and consist of white or pale pink flowers. Blooming of an elephant ear at home is quite rare; many owners of this handsome man have never seen the flowers of their pet. Because of this feature, alocasia is classified as an ornamental deciduous plant.

The root system of an elephant's ear is shaped like tubers. They are quite light and dense and elastic to the touch. Over time, daughter roots-tubers are formed on them, with the help of which several young plants can be obtained.

Varieties of alocasia

Alocasia is a genus of evergreens. To date, more than fifty species are known that are representatives of this genus. Also, breeders have bred many different hybrid forms of such a flower, among themselves they differ in the height and shape of the leaves. Some varieties are large, so not all alocasia can be cultivated at home.

However, regardless of belonging to a particular species, all plants of this type are looked after in almost the same way. Among amateur flower growers, the most popular are Alokazia large-root (Mountain), Alokazia Polly, Alokazia Sandera, Alokazia large-root and Alokazia Amazonian.

General rules for alocasia transplant

In order for the processes to proceed faster, the florist's task is to organize constant heating of the soil, where the process of creating the first roots is taking place. In this case, the litter itself should contain peat, perlite, sphagnum moss and sand. That is, the rooting site should be moist, warm and breathable. However, systematic 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:

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• finely crushed charcoal or crushed black activated carbon tablet;
• cinnamon powder;
• wood ash.

Treatment with root stimulants is also used.

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

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 land is selected loose and low acidity. Such a composition can be purchased at a specialized store or prepared by yourself. Florists use different soils based on peat and leafy soil.

The main thing is that the soil must be moisture-absorbing, lightweight, and breathable.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 can be:

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• humus or vermicompost - 2 parts;
• sheet land - 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 last components. Disinfection of the composition by any means is of great importance. Steaming soil is often used for alocasia. To plant 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.

Photo of alocasia and home care

Any plant brought from a distance requires certain conditions for life. For centuries, unhurried selection of nature has adapted plants to a region with special properties. Therefore, guests have to create special living conditions. And it even blooms when it is spring in the homeland, and we have winter

It is important for the grower to find such conditions of care to ensure the health of the plant in the home of people with other requirements for comfort. The care for alocasia in the photo will take a long time for a mature seven-year-old plant to bloom

An inexperienced plant lover, acquiring alocasia, may face a number of problems caused by improper care:

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1. Very slow growth of new leaves.
2. The plant is lethargic, the leaves are drooping, watering does not restore tugor.
3. The leaves not only wilted, 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 plant maintenance. Therefore, it is necessary to comply with the basic requirements of agricultural technology.

Initially, the indoor flower alocasia should be provided 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 you can create artificial supplementary lighting with a special lamp.

Do not place the plant in a damp, cold corner. For prosperity, they practice the use of bottom heating of the soil in a pot. If the roots are warm, they quickly deliver food to the aerial part and the plant thrives. Late blight and root rot will not develop in warm ground.

A resident of the tropics loves the high humidity of the surrounding air. It is comfortable for her to be at 80% moisture in the room. This humidity is not suitable for humans. Therefore, a compromise is reached when keeping the plant in the kitchen or bathroom and next to the aquarium. You can place the alocasia pot 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 required.

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

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Alocasia soil loves low acidity, better than special preparation.The 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 content;
• high air saturation;
• the presence of mineral components of various compositions.

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 as to avoid the formation of soil acidification zones. The root system should fill the pot. Choose tall and tapered vessels for stability. But there can be containers with vertical walls, if there is no danger of overturning under a shift in the center of gravity, inclined, heavy leaves of alocasia. Depending on the variety, with good care, alocasia at home can reach two meters in height.

Description of the flower

Indoor alocasia is more of an ornamental plant, as it blooms quite rarely. However, this does not interfere with admiring it at all, because it has very beautiful leaves, with an unusual shape and color. In addition, it is very often used to decorate ponds or artificial waterfalls. And you can also find her in the lobby of hotels or other various organizations. But, no matter how beautiful it looks, you must remember that this plant is considered poisonous. Its juice irritates not only the skin, but also the mucous membrane, so it is necessary to protect yourself from contact with alocasia, especially for children. It is for this reason that this plant is not allowed to be in schools, as well as in kindergartens. When transplanting or any other work with a flower, you need to use rubber gloves, and then be sure to wash your hands with soap and water.

Alocasia has long and thickened stems on which ellipsoidal leaves can be seen. Their tips are slightly pointed. In addition, they have rather distinct veins. The leaves are very large, up to half a meter in length, but the plant itself in any home conditions grows up to one and a half meters. Sometimes you can be lucky enough to see its flowering, which happens only in an older plant. It is a flower with a delicate pink tint. It gives off a rather strong odor, which in some people can even cause a migraine attack. For this reason, keeping it in the bedroom is not recommended.

After flowering, small fruits appear in its place, slightly resembling berries. For alocasia to always look beautiful, the fruits must be removed. Otherwise, they will simply pull all the juices out of the plant. People often call him a weatherman, because when it rains or the plant is simply watered too abundantly, dew drops immediately appear on its leaves. Therefore, many people use it instead of a barometer.

Alocasia care

Alocasia belongs to the group of aroid plants, therefore, many care recommendations coincide with taro and anthurium.

Watering

In the spring and summer, during the vegetative period of alocasia, abundant watering is required. Water this plant immediately after the topsoil dries up after the previous watering. This usually takes a day.
Make sure that the water does not stagnate for a long time in the pan of the pot

Drain off excess moisture periodically.
When winter comes, reduce the amount of watering to one or two times a week.
If you placed the alocasia in a room with a low temperature, but excessive humidity, it will sometimes be necessary to dry the soil to prevent rotting of the roots-tubers.
In the summer, the plant must be sprayed with a spray bottle three to four times a week.
Wipe the leaves once a week with a soft, damp cloth.
For watering and spraying, use only clean warm water (at least twenty degrees).
It is important to provide the plant with the required moisture level.Dry air can lead to spider mites.
Adjust your watering schedule based on the season, lighting and indoor temperature

Lack and excess of moisture are equally dangerous for the plant.
When wiping leaves in summer, do not use a hard or fluffy cloth. For such purposes, an ordinary kitchen sponge is perfect, but it is absolutely impossible to wipe the foliage with the abrasive side.

Top dressing and fertilizers

In spring and summer, alocasia needs additional feeding. During this period, fertilization should be applied every three weeks. For these purposes, it is best to use organic or mineral dressings for indoor flowers. It is very beneficial for such a plant to receive supplements high in nitrogen and potassium.

For example, you can alternate preparations such as "Leaf" and "Agricola" for decorative flowers. Alocasia is enough for one spoon of "Leaf", dissolved in three liters of water. Agricola will take much less - just one teaspoon for three liters of water.

Do not forget that with the onset of autumn, you need to reduce the frequency of fertilizing to once every one and a half months. Stick to this schedule until the end of winter and the beginning of an active growing season. Young plants need fertilizers containing components of the phosphorus group. These supplements contribute to the development of a healthy root system and immunity to various diseases.

Soil for alocasia

Elephant ear needs a fairly loose soil that allows moisture and air to pass through well. It should also be slightly acidic, the optimum degree of soil acidity is 5.5 pH. You can buy soil suitable for alocasia at a gardening store or prepare it yourself.

To prepare the substrate for this tropical beauty, use these components in the following proportions:

• One kilogram of foliage soil.
• Five hundred grams of coniferous soil.
• One kilogram of humus.
• Half a kilo of peat.
• Five hundred grams of sand.

There is another recipe for preparing soil for such a decorative flower:

• Half a kilo of peat soil.
• Two hundred and fifty grams of leafy soil.
• One and a half kilograms of sand.
• Five hundred grams of bog moss - sphagnum.
• Seven hundred and fifty grams of charcoal.

Depending on the required volume of soil, the number of components can be changed up or down, the main thing is to adhere to the declared ratio.

Coniferous soil can be replaced with dry needles. Only one small handful will be enough for one medium-sized pot.

When planting and transplanting alocasia, it is imperative to use drainage material. They fill the bottom of the pot so that the water does not stagnate in the soil, otherwise the rhizome can rot due to an excess of moisture. For these purposes, clay shards, expanded clay, broken brick, small pebbles and medium-sized crushed stone are used.

Diseases and pests

A plant kept in unsuitable conditions for it is most susceptible to diseases and pests. The main ones, as well as methods of treating the affected alocasia, will be considered in the table.

Fight against diseases and pests of alocasia - table

Growing up: planting, transplanting, reproduction

For planting alocasia polly, the main thing is to choose the right soil. It should have a low density, a weakly acidic medium (pH = 5.5 - 6), as well as allow air and moisture to pass through well. Such a soil can be easily prepared by yourself.

This requires:

• • leafy land;
  • coniferous soil;
  • humus;
  • peat:
  • coarse sand or perlite

Their ratio is 2: 1: 2: 1: 1. Coniferous soil can be replaced with dry needles. It is even easier if you buy ready-made soil in the store. It should be for decorative deciduous plants. A flowerpot for planting a flower must be taken spacious, with drainage holes, then the roots can breathe, and the leaves will be larger.

The pot can be made of plastic or terracotta. The bottom of the vase is covered with expanded clay or pebbles, fine gravel or broken majolica will do. The roots of alocasia should be carefully placed so as not to damage and cover with soil. It is necessary to replant plants every spring, but only young ones. Adults are transplanted every three years by the method of transplanting a root with an earthen clod.

The transplant is pretty simple:

Choose a flowerpot 2-4 cm larger than the previous one.

• Fill the drainage to the bottom.
• Add new soil.
• Get the flower out of the pot.
• Place the rhizome in a new pot.
• Add new substrate and compact a little.
• Use drip or bottom watering method.
• Put in partial shade, as the sun's rays can interfere with the rooting process.

Reproduction of alocasia polly, like a transplant, should be carried out in the spring. The manipulation is done in several ways.

The simplest three are:

• cuttings;
• division of the rhizome;
• seedling tubers.

Cuttings are used if the plant is damaged.

The following actions are carried out:

• the broken stem splits;
• each is cut into pieces (the stem should have one or two buds);
• place 1-2 cm in a sandy-peat substrate;
• water;
• create a greenhouse effect using a can, film or glass;
• ventilate every day for 10-15 minutes;
• maintain humidity and temperature + 23 ... + 24 ° C;
• the greenhouse should be removed after 3-6 weeks;
• plant young plants.

It is advisable to divide the rhizome together with the spring transplant. This is easy to do. First you need to remove the earthen lump from the flowerpot, wash the ground from the root. After that, separate the processes with a sharp, clean knife, and sprinkle the slices with charcoal powder. And then plant in new pots.

Reproduction of alocasia polly by the method of planting tubers is carried out as follows:

• a flower is taken out of the pot;
• the earth is washed off from the rhizome;
• with a sharp clean knife, the tubers that form on the roots are separated;
• cuts are processed with crushed coal;
• the tubers are lowered into the sphagnum moss by 1-2 cm so that the top is visible and watered;
• there should be good lighting and a temperature of +23. ... ... + 25 ° C;
• a greenhouse is made with a jar or film;

After the performed manipulations, the plant will sprout in 3-6 weeks.

There is another way of reproduction - by seeds. But it's more complicated. It must be borne in mind that the seeds, like the flower itself, can die in very dry soil. Therefore, before planting, they are sprayed and regularly maintain soil moisture. Seedlings of alocasia polly at home dive twice and only then are planted in small pots in which they grow up. When the roots fill the volume of the container, the young alocasia is planted for permanent residence.

Why alocasia has become a house plant

Have flower growers ever wondered why from time immemorial, by hook or by crook, travelers and botanists brought overseas plants from distant countries? Why did not most of them disappear, 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, which heal in small quantities.

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

Common varieties

The undersized Alocasia Amazonica is artificially bred from two species: Lowe and Sandera.

Amazon flower fruit

When such a flower is sold, it is often called Sandera. They are confused because of their similarity in appearance. Amazonian alocasia is a hybrid, which means it is a completely different plant. You can distinguish it by the following features:

• the edges of the leaves are smoothly wavy;
• white veins on a dark leaf, deepened like scratches or small cracks.

Amazonica rarely blooms and exudes a deep intoxicating scent. Household specimens do not have fruits.

The taller species of this family is Alocásia Polly. Shrub up to 0.5 m high with a thick, upright stem. Its tuberous roots are large enough. It stands out from other species by the following differences:

• dark leaves, heart-shaped, metallic tint, up to 40 cm long;
• streaks of beige or pale green colors;
• flowering is regular.

At the edge of each leaf of the mouth, there are hydrators for dumping moisture. Alocasia Polly for home care does not require large pots and a lot of space for maintenance.

Information. Alocasia Sandera, as the species from which Polly is descended, was bred in greenhouses. This same hybrid Alocásia Polly was bred specifically for indoor use.

Reproduction

If you are the owner of alocasia and want to acquire another such flower, you do not need to buy it at a flower shop. With the help of an adult plant, you can get several new ones without making any effort. Elephant ear breeding should be done in the spring, as well as transplanting.

There are several methods for reproduction of alocasia:

• Renal.
• Cuttings.
• Division of the rhizome.

Reproduction with the help of the kidneys

To get a new flower using this propagation method, follow the plans:

1. Alocasia juice contains a dangerous and toxic substance, namely hydrocyanic acid. It is not dangerous for the human body, but it can cause redness of the skin and a strong allergic reaction. Therefore, be sure to wear gloves when working with such a caustic tropical dweller.
2. From the mother plant, carefully cut off the required number of buds with pulp using a sharp knife. Carry out this procedure carefully so as not to deform the shoots.
3. Be sure to treat the sections left on the trunk after removing the buds with crushed charcoal or activated carbon. This will help the plant recover faster and protect against the penetration of any diseases through the wounds.
4. Mix the sand and peat, moisten the resulting mixture and place the cut buds in it.
5. Provide greenhouse conditions for the buds to speed up the formation of new plants. To do this, cover the container with them with a plastic bag or cling film and place in a warm place.

Propagation by cuttings

Alocasia can also be propagated by cuttings. This method is suitable for all varieties and types of alocasia.

1. First, prepare the cuttings. To do this, cut off the tops of the shoots at a forty-five degree angle.
2. When the required number of cuttings is collected, treat the slices with a special preparation to stimulate growth. For this purpose, you can use micronutrient fertilizers or mixtures of biologically active substances for indoor plants.
3. "Plant" the cuttings in a container with light soil. Rooting will take place much faster if the substrate is heated from below. To do this, you can place a container with cuttings on a working battery.

Reproduction by dividing the rhizome

This method of reproduction is also used in the spring, combined with alocasia transplant. The most suitable period for such a procedure is the second half of March to early May.

1. Remove the plant from the pot and shake the soil off the root system.
2. Divide the tubers so that each tuber has its own bud or rosette. Treat all sections with crushed charcoal or activated carbon.
3. Let the tubers dry for about one hour.
4. Plant the dried tubers in new, separate pots and water.
5. Place the alocasia pots in partial shade, as direct sunlight prevents these plants from rooting.

After transplanting or reproducing in this way, the air temperature in the premises should not drop below twenty-three degrees Celsius.

Transplant, breeding of alocasia

For adult plants, a transplant is needed every 2-3 years, as the soil is compacted and depleted in nutrients. The transplant is carried out in early spring, when the plant is just beginning to develop. If the plant is healthy and has been transplanted recently, it is best to do a transshipment.

That is, the plant is carefully removed from the old dishes and settled on a layer of drainage and sprinkled substrate, neatly with a lump of earth. Since the pot is larger, soil is poured, but it is not compacted mechanically, but only slightly shaken

The plant dropped into the vessel is watered, the earth settles, it is poured up to the neck and the transplant is completed.

In other cases, the plant is completely washed from the old soil and dried in a horizontal position with straightened roots. At the same time, children are chosen, the bushes are disassembled and each is planted in a separate container.

Other breeding methods are carried out:

• leaves;
• seeds;
• stem buds;
• segments of rhizomes.

In order for the plant to completely repeat the shape of the mother bush, the bud is taken on the trunk, cut out with pulp, and rooted in the substrate under the hood in the warmth. The resulting wound on the trunk is treated with crushed coal.

Propagation by cuttings obtained from the upper part of the shoot gives 100% survival rate. The stalk is cut under 45, treated with "Kornevin" or another biological product and placed in warm soil, controlling its moisture content.

The plant propagates by seeds only fresh. They are immediately sown in warm soil, the earth is kept moist, sprinkled from above. Seeds sprout unevenly, from several days to three weeks. Transplant seedlings when they create a good root system.

Rhizomes disassembled for transplantation must have either a finished plant with leaves, or a growth bud. They are also rooted in the substrate after the wounds of the separated roots have dried. Rooting is carried out only in warm, moist soil.

Reproduction

In order to get a new plant, you can use one of two propagation methods.

Dividing tubers

A simple breeding method that can be used in the spring during plant transplantation. For its implementation, it is necessary to divide the onion into several parts with a sharp and sterile cutting tool and put the resulting pieces in a small technical container with a peat nutrient mixture.

Planting containers should be placed in a warm and well-lit area. Inexperienced growers should remember to ventilate the pots and moisten the soil. Only after the appearance of the first young leaves can the protective shelter be removed. Florists recommend picking off the first new leaves.

Cuttings

Getting a new plant by rooting cuttings is a quick and easy way to propagate. The mechanism of this procedure consists in rooting the cut leaf plates in water, to which a stimulant for the growth of the root system has been added. Once the roots have formed, the shoots can be planted in small containers with a light and nutritious potting mix.

When separating poisonous tubers, it is imperative to use rubber gloves, and rinse the working tool immediately after work under plenty of running water.

Due to the fact that alocasia "Polly" is a hybrid plant, experts do not recommend using the seed method of reproduction. Using this method, it is impossible to get a new plant that would inherit all the varietal characteristics. In specialized laboratories and nurseries, experienced breeders often use cloning of this variety.