Alocasia is a very rare ornamental plant with heart-shaped leaves. Unusually beautiful leaves are the main decoration. Under natural conditions, the flower grows in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. More than 70 species of this plant are known. Alocasia is poisonous, therefore it is more often used to decorate office premises. The flower is unpretentious, so caring for alocasia at home is quite simple.
Description of the plant
Alocasia is a genus of perennial herbaceous plants of the Aroid family. Representatives of the genus grow in height from 40 cm, some stretch up to 2 m or more, that is, they have both compact, small size and giant tree-like forms. In most cases, evergreen, occasionally with leaves falling for the winter. Differs in an unusual shape of flowers and fruits. On the slices of the plant, a transparent liquid is released, which is called milky juice.
The homeland of alokazia is the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. In its natural environment, it can be found in Malaysia, in Ceylon. One of the features of alocasia is to get rid of excess moisture in the soil and air with the help of leaf plates. During prolonged rains, with an excess of moisture in the soil, the plant is not able to absorb all the water, the leaves begin to “cry”.
Superstitions are associated with this tropical flower, beliefs according to which the plant predicts rain. For this reason, he is sometimes called a “weatherman”. However, this behavior is very simple to explain - before the rain, the humidity of the air rises, under the influence of which the leaves begin to secrete liquid.
Strong, thick, shortened stem, usually upright, occasionally elongated and creeping. The rhizome is thick, short, often tuberous.
Depending on the species, the number of leaves may differ, while some species may have only one leaf during the flowering period. Many species, in addition to one leaf, have cataphylls that perform a protective function in relation to the newly emerged leaf. In other species, the sheath of the previous leaf plays the same role: it is long, permanent, or falling off. Species with regular cataphylls usually have small vaginas.
The petioles are long, juicy, fleshy, dense, often sinewy, have stomata on the surface of the leaves, through which the plant gets rid of excess moisture. Young leaves are predominantly rounded. The alocasia plant has large, dense adult leaf plates 20-100 cm long, with whole edges of the arrow-shaped, medullary, oval or thyroid shape, with a pointed end, sometimes pinnately dissected into asymmetric segments of an oval or triangular shape. In many species on the leaves, in addition to the dark green color, there are red spots, white or yellow pronounced strokes, veins. Copper-red alocasia does not have a spectacular pattern on the leaf plate, but the top and bottom sides are painted in different colors.
Due to the unusual shape of the leaf plate, the plant is called "elephant ear", as well as "trefoil", since three leaves always grow on the plant, when the fourth leaves are formed, the oldest leaf immediately turns yellow and dies off.
Alocasia rarely forms its flower. Flowering varieties among alocasia are extremely rare.Inflorescences begin to form, in most cases, with new leaves and only in deciduous varieties. They have an unusual, candle-like shape in the form of small fragrant pale pink or light beige flowers, collected in a cob inflorescence. Outwardly, the inflorescence is partially wrapped in a wide blanket, in shape resembling a slightly unfolded scroll. The inflorescence is located on a dense, shortened peduncle. After pollination, fruits are formed - berries of a bright red color, ellipsoidal or hemispherical, containing 1-5 seeds each. As the fruit sets, the coverlet gradually cracks and opens.
Alocasia is grown because of the beautiful ornamental leaves, since the flowers are not of particular aesthetic value. In flowering plants, it slows down, even stops the growth and formation of new leaves, they partially fall off. Because of this, it is recommended to remove the flowers, and the cut sites are treated with activated carbon.
Some tubers are edible, rich in starch, and grown for human consumption. All parts of the plant have toxic substances that can be harmful to health, eating them inside can cause numbness and swelling of the tongue and throat. Alocasia juice, getting on the skin and mucous membranes, can cause severe irritation. The plant is recommended to be placed in places inaccessible to children and animals.
Fragrant alocasia has medicinal properties, it is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine. The leaves are used in the treatment of pneumonia and tuberculosis, the stems are used for stomach pain and toothache. It should be remembered that the plant is poisonous, abuse and excess of the prescribed dosage can provoke undesirable consequences for the body.
At home, care for alocasia requires regular, but at the same time, uncomplicated. It is quite easy to create the right conditions. Observing simple rules for the content, the plant will delight for many years with its tropical, exotic look.
Bloom
Alocasia blooms only when comfortable conditions for growth and development are created, and only after reaching adulthood (5-7 years). Flowering is always accompanied by stress for the plant, since budding takes a lot of energy from a perennial. During this period, the growth and formation of new leaves stops, many species shed their foliage. Because of this feature, it is recommended to remove the formed inflorescences, since many lovers of exotic tropical plants start them precisely because of the unusual spectacular foliage.
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Types and varieties
In nature, there are about 70 types of alocasia. Of all the varieties of alocasia, only a few species are grown at home, where they grow no more than 1 m in height, although in natural conditions they can reach three meters.
In terms of height, all types of alocasia are divided into two groups:
- the first includes all large species with a height of more than 1 m: the bright representatives of this group are large-rooted alocasia or arma, fragrant, calidora;
- the second combines compact species up to 1 m in height - alocasia sandera, alocasia klobuchkovaya, alocasia amazonskaya. The most popular for growing at home are alocasia Polly, large-root, sandera, black velvet and others, which differ in the original texture and color of the foliage. The most popular for growing at home are alocasia Polly, large-root, sandera, black velvet and others, which differ in the original texture and color of the foliage.
Large rhizome
Alocasia large rhizome
Quite a tall species, at home it grows up to 3-5 m, up to 2.5 m in diameter. Other names are mountain alocasia, lead-gray alocasia, thick-stemmed alocasia. In its natural environment, it is found in South Asia, on the islands of Oceania, in the tropical forests of Australia. Mainly grows in roadside ditches, along the edges of wet fields, near dwellings.Alokazia krupnokornevischnaya has various varieties and garden varieties. The leaf plate is of a monochromatic light green color, very large, oval-arrow-shaped, more or less vertical, can reach 100-120 cm in length and up to 50 cm in width, the edges are softly serrated, sinuous. The petiole is fleshy, strong, up to 60-130 cm long. The stem is vertical, up to 1.5 m in height. The plant is listed in the Guinness Book of Records due to the gigantic size of the leaves.
Black corduroy
Alocasia Black Corduroy
Deciduous-decorative variety with a low stem (up to 10 cm), rounded or oval leaf shape, 35 cm long, 25 cm wide, on strong stalks 15-25 cm long. Other names are velvet alocasia, black velvet alocasia. At home, it grows up to 30-45 cm in height. The sophistication and uniqueness of alocasia Black velveteen lies in the color of the leaves: the lower part is of a solid green color, the upper part is velvety, a rich dark green color with a metallic sheen and pronounced white veins. It blooms with a pink ear up to 10 cm long, with a pink-white veil.
Kalidora
Alocasia calidor
A popular hybrid made by crossing odorous alocasia and alocasia gageana. The leaves are up to 1.5-2 m high, the leaves are large, up to 1 m long and 50-70 cm wide. The color of the leaf blades is preserved in its original form - bright green. Care and maintenance requirements are no different from other species, but this species prefers open spaces. Alocasia calidor is as aromatic as the “base” look.
Amazonian
Alokazia amazonian
A deciduous ornamental plant, belongs to hybrid varieties, obtained by crossing alocasia Sander and alocasia Low. The stalk is 15-20 cm high, the leaves are dark green thyroid with a Y-shaped notch at the base, on which separate lobes with white clear relief veins are clearly visible. The edges are jagged or wavy. The leaves sit on long pink-green petioles with dark strokes 40-60 cm long. The plant blooms with small white-pink flowers, collected in an inflorescence of an ear 15-20 cm long, does not bear fruit at home. Alokazia amazon at home has a height of 40-60 cm, the diameter of the crown reaches 60-80 cm.
Sander
Alocasia Sander
Refers to tall species. Alocasia Sander grows up to two meters, has a tuberous shortened rhizome. Leaves 30-40 cm long and 15-20 cm wide, thyroid or arrow-shaped elongated, dark green in color with a glossy metallic sheen. The edges and lateral veins of the leaf are carved in white, the petioles are brown-green, strong and rather long, about 25-60 cm.
Large-root
Large-root alocasia
Another name is alocasia thick-stemmed, Indian or arm. Found naturally in East India. In recent years, on the territory of Russia, interest in the species has practically disappeared. Unlike other species, it calmly tolerates overdrying of an earthen coma, temperature drops, low air humidity. Large-root alocasia is a tall plant in culture, up to 1.5-2 m high, with a strong fleshy stem. In its natural environment, it reaches 5 m. The leaves are large, up to 1 m long, glossy, of a monochromatic green or light green color, on long petioles, arranged alternately.
Copper red
Alocasia copper-red
In culture, the bush reaches a maximum height of up to 1 m, the crown grows in diameter up to 1-1.5 m. The creeping rhizome, 1-1.5 cm thick. It is the most effective, decorative and compact among cultivated alocasia. A distinctive feature of copper-red alocasia is the different color of the sides of the leaf plate.The upper part of alocasia is glossy copper-green, the lower one is purple, red, which is why this type of plant got its name. The leaves themselves are with smooth solid edges, oval, ovoid or heart-shaped, glossy with a metallic sheen, leathery, with a beautiful clear venation, up to 32-35 cm in length, up to 20 cm in width.In indoor conditions it often blooms, usually 2 peduncles -3 pieces of purple, 10-15 cm long.
The Dragon
A popular variety, sometimes called "dragon skin" because of the unusual texture of large oval-heart-shaped, slightly elongated leaves with a sharp end, reminiscent of leathery wings and scales. The light green color of the leaf plate with a metallic glossy sheen is effectively complemented by dark green veins. Alocasia dragon is a short flower, no more than 1 m, with a short trunk and long light green petioles, bending under the weight of the leaves.
Red Secret
Alokazia red secret
The variety of copper-red alocasia was obtained relatively recently, it is a miniature variety, reaching a height of no more than 40 cm. Alokazia Red secret has large fleshy swollen leaves. The underside of the leaf of a young plant is red-green, becoming silvery-green with age. Once a year, it blooms for two weeks, forming a white cob.
Bambino
Alocasia bambino
A hybrid variety of Sander's alocasia, a miniature form of which is no more than 40-60 cm high. The leaf blades are dark green, narrow, arrow-shaped, with pronounced white-green veins. Alokazia Bambino blooms with white and purple flowers.
Venti
Alocasia valve
Perennial reaching a height of 1.5 m or more. The leaves are fleshy, large, 50-60 cm long, 40-50 cm wide, gray-green with a glossy metallic sheen, the underside of the leaf is dark red. A rather unpretentious species for growing conditions. It grows calmly in partial shade, although its decorative properties are better manifested in brighter lighting. Providing constant ground heat, Venti's alocasia grows well and forms daughter nodules.
Smelly
Alocasia odorous
Another name is Odor's alocasia. It is a perennial herb up to 2-2.5 m high, with a thick short rhizome containing a small amount of milky juice. From the top of the stem, on 1.5 m petioles, leathery leaf blades are formed of a cordate-oval or cordate-arrow-shaped shape up to 100-130 cm long and up to 1 m wide, short-pointed at the apex. The edges of the leaf are wavy, part of the leaf in the lower part is tightly attached to the petiole. It blooms rarely, the cob inflorescence has an original smell.
In its natural environment, it is found in tropical forests, bamboo groves, along river banks, in the swamps of Japan, China, India, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
Rhizomes are often used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat abdominal pain, cholera, hernia, insect bites and snake bites. Perennial is inedible due to the presence of calcium oxalate in the composition. In Japan, there is a ban on the consumption of alocasia in food. The species of Odor is very similar to the edible plant gigantic taro and edible taro.
Polly
A tall leafy-decorative hybrid of Sander's alocasia, often used in interior landscaping. Alokazia Polly is a compact, low plant 50-65 cm high, with a shortened stem. Large thyroid pointed leaves grow from a basal rosette on long fleshy petioles. Leaf plates up to 50 cm long and up to 20 cm wide, glossy, dark green in color with bright white large veins, with a jagged edge. Due to the shape and color of the leaves, the species is called the "African mask".
Klobuchkovaya
Alocasia klobuchkovaya
Rarely flowering, relatively low plant that grows up to 60-100 cm. Alocasia klobuchkovaya grows in tropical rainforests in Western India and on about. Burma.The leaf blades are large, dense, ovoid or thyroid in shape, with rounded edges of a monotonous bright green color. In the natural environment, leaves grow up to 1 m, up to 60-80 cm wide, petioles up to 30-50 cm long.The trunk is thick, up to 5 cm in diameter, branching, reaching a height of 60-80 cm.With age, growing, it loses its compactness, as a result of which it is used for landscaping spacious rooms. Only the healthiest and most powerful plants bloom, the length of the peduncle is about 20-30 cm. The plant can create daughter tubers, they are located close to the tuber.
Scientific name
Botanists called the tropical guest at the court of the Empress in Latin - Alocasia macrorrhizos, which means Alokazia krupnokornevaya (krupnokornevischnaya). Today it is also called Arma, tk. this herbaceous perennial belongs to the Aroid family.
In the people, this type of Alokazia was aptly nicknamed “elephant ear"- for leaves with smooth edges. And also - a mourner or a weatherman, because Alokazia is a living barometer, forecasters cannot compare with her.
Home care
Large species like space, look best in large rooms, near artificial reservoirs, fountains. Compact views are located near sleeping places, in the kitchen and in the halls. The only thing is that this species does not tolerate drafts and the proximity of working central heating batteries. Caring for alocasia is simple and some nuances in the maintenance of a perennial should not cause difficulties.
How to care for alocasia so that the leafy-decorative appearance of the flower does not suffer? Mostly, it is necessary to create conditions as close to natural as possible, then caring for a perennial will be simple. A plant can become not only an exotic home decoration, but also serve as a barometer, predicting a high probability of precipitation, as the appearance of water droplets on the leaves indicates the upcoming rain.
Watering
The moisture-loving houseplant alocasia loves moist soil. In the summer, watering should be regular - once every 2 days, the earthen lump should not dry out. Distilled or soft settled water is used, the soil in the pot must be constantly wet, if water accumulates at the bottom of the pan, it should be removed immediately. In winter, watering is reduced. When watering, you should find a "golden" mean: you can not refill the water, but pouring the pot is dangerous, because this can provoke decay of the roots.
Air humidity
Originally from the tropics, alocasia prefers high air humidity. To maintain a healthy look in the summer season, the leaves of the plant are sprayed, the flower pot is placed on a tray with damp pebbles or expanded clay, but care should be taken that the pot does not stand in water, otherwise the roots may rot. In the cold season, when the central heating system is turned on, the pot with the indoor plant alocasia is placed away from the batteries; air humidifiers are used to create additional moisture. It is helpful to regularly wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or sponge.
Lighting
A tropical plant prefers bright light, but in summer it is better to shade the plant or remove it from direct sunlight. In winter, some species need special care, the flower of alocasia (in particular, varieties of copper-red, Amazonian alocasia, Polly) should be provided with additional lighting.
Species and varieties with a monochromatic leaf color are more tolerant of a lack of lighting, variegated ones need additional lighting.
Temperature regime
A change in temperature can cause a deterioration in the condition and even death of a plant. In summer, the optimum room temperature is about + 20 ° С, in winter it is not lower than + 18 ° С. Protect the flower from drafts.
Top dressing
Caring for alocasia at home requires the introduction of a complex mineral fertilizer for indoor plants. In the spring and summer, this is done every 14-20 days. Potash fertilizers are most suitable for tropical perennials. During flowering, twice a month, they are fed with a complex fertilizer with a high nitrogen content. If the nitrogen content in the soil is insufficient, the growth of the plant slows down, and alocasia diseases may occur. In winter, the flower is fed once a month.
The soil
The soil for alocasia should be nutritious, of medium density, loose, with good permeability to moisture and air, a substrate with a slightly acidic reaction. Prepare the land for the plant: leaf, coniferous, peat soil (1 part each) and ½ part of sand.
Possible difficulties
The perennial alocasia is a fairly unpretentious plant, however, when grown at home, some problems may arise. This is mainly due to errors in the content of the flower. Insufficient watering can provoke the multiplication of spider mites. Withering leaves can be a signal of both excessive and insufficient watering, you should reconsider the watering regime or change the soil to a lighter and loose one. If the leaves begin to cry, you should reduce spraying and watering.
Slowing down or stopping the growth of a plant indicates a lack of nitrogen in the soil; to solve the problem, the flower is fed with a solution of urea at the rate of 1 gram per liter of water. If too small leaf plates are formed, the flower lacks nutrients, top dressing should be applied.
If the tips of the leaves begin to dry out, this indicates an insufficient level of air humidity, the roots are experiencing a lack of water.
How to save alocasia in case of loss of bright color, which indicates insufficient lighting? In this case, the flower pot should be rearranged to a more illuminated place. If there is not enough natural light, additional artificial lighting is used.
The appearance of dark spots on the leaf plate indicates frequent temperature changes, the presence of drafts.
In the case when the perennial begins to lose leaves, check the rhizome for rot. In the absence of any damage to the underground part, the flower is transplanted into a new soil. Alocasia is artificially introduced into the "sleeping" mode, the flowerpot is left in a cool dry room, and when new shoots are formed, the flowerpot is returned to comfortable conditions for the flower.
Growing problems
Usually plant diseases or their loss of decorative qualities are associated with improper care. Novice growers may face such difficulties:
- darkening of the tips of the leaves is associated with low air humidity;
- yellowing of the leaves can be caused by the use of hard or cold water for irrigation, as well as too frequent application of mineral dressings;
- crushing of leaves occurs when there is a lack of nutrients in the soil;
- pale color of leaf plates occurs due to a lack of sunlight;
- drying of the leaves occurs when the pot with the plant is placed in a cold room or in a draft.
Muraya care at home and types of indoor flower
Alocasia is a beautiful ornamental plant with unusual leaves. Plant care is simple. Subject to all the rules, the flower retains an attractive appearance for a long time.
Why do alocasia's leaves turn yellow?
What to do if the leaves of the weatherman turned yellow, lost their decorative appearance? The main reason why the leaves of alocasia turn yellow is the incorrect placement of the flower. With prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, the leaves begin to wither, turn yellow and fall off. The optimal lighting for a flower is bright, but diffused light. Inappropriate water containing iron, salts and chlorine can also be a possible cause. Distilled or settled water is used for irrigation.Do not sound the alarm if one leaf turns yellow, this is a normal process, since when one dies off, a new leaf appears.
Bloom
At home, alocasia blooms very rarely and this takes away a lot of vitality from the plant, but in the period from July to September there is a chance to enjoy the beauty and aroma of unusual flowers. Flowering occurs no earlier than 5-7 years of life alocasia.
Arma throws out a long, up to 30 cm peduncle with an inflorescence about the size of an adult's palm. The ear is creamy, the perianth is greenish. Under favorable conditions, a fruit is later formed in the place of the flower - an inedible bright red berry, similar to a cherry.
Diseases and pests
Since alocasia is poisonous, it is rarely attacked by insect pests, it is resistant to various diseases. However, if the conditions of care and maintenance are violated, aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, thrips and scale insects can attack the plant.
When attacked by a spider mite, thin white cobwebs appear on the underside of the leaf. They fight the pest by spraying the affected areas with a weak tobacco infusion, sprinkle the places where the cobwebs appear with ground sulfur.
With the appearance of the scale insect, dark spots appear on the plant. They fight it by spraying with a soap-tobacco solution with the addition of kerosene or denatured alcohol.
When aphids appear, the leaves lose their decorative appearance, dry out, and deform. The pest settles on the underside of the leaf, feeds on its juice, and multiplies quickly. To destroy aphids, a solution of nicotine sulfate with soap is used for spraying in a ratio of 1 gram of powder to 1 liter of soapy water.
Alocasia pests mainly appear due to low humidity and high air temperature, stagnation of moisture in the soil.
Pest control begins at the first signs of damage, leaf plates are wiped on all sides with a solution of soap, powdered with ground sulfur, in advanced cases, insecticides of a broad spectrum of action are used, for example, Actellik.
After processing in a day, the plant must be well rinsed under the shower, after covering the soil with a film. If insect pests are found, the treatment is repeated again.
Due to waterlogging of the soil, stagnant water and too dense soil, the plant becomes ill with a fungal disease - root rot. For the fight, fungicides are used (Topsin, Fundazol), the flower is transplanted into new loose soil, the affected and decayed parts are removed. The formation of brown spots on the leaves of alocasia indicates a disease with powdery mildew: in this case, the plant is treated with copper-containing preparations (Oxychoma, Polycarbacin). For the prevention of alocasia disease, the flower is sprayed with soapy water, treated with colloidal sulfur.
How much does an adult plant cost in a store?
A young plant with a height of about 40 cm will cost the buyer 700-1000 rubles, a larger specimen will cost much more, the price reaches three thousand rubles.
You can buy alocasia both in online stores with delivery in Russia and in retail chains of large cities, for example, in the Obi, Maksidom, Orange stores.
The buyer should take into account that this plant does not tolerate freezing temperatures at all and the transportation of an exotic flower under appropriate conditions will be quite expensive.
Planting and breeding
At home, alocasia can be propagated in the following ways: by cuttings, dividing the bush and planting seeds. Planting is done only in the spring in fertilized loose soil. Opt for deep flower pots with drainage holes in the bottom. The pot is filled 2-3 cm with drainage material, after which the soil is poured.
Transfer
Young plants are transplanted every year in spring, mature plants once every 2-3 years.A good drainage layer must be provided for better drainage of excess water. For adult alocasia, the transplant is carried out by the transshipment method. If dividing the bush is planned, then the rhizome is freed from the earthen coma. Choose a new flower pot higher than the previous one and larger in diameter. The need for a flower transplant is signaled by the roots sticking out of the drainage holes of the flower pot. In this case, the roots completely fill the entire space of the container, the plant becomes cramped in it.
Reproduction methods
There are several ways to propagate alocasia: by seeds, by dividing the rhizome (by offspring or daughter tubers), stem cuttings.
Reproduction of alocasia by seed has a characteristic feature - the variegated characteristics of the plant are not transmitted. This should be taken into account when breeding species with variegated leaf plates. In this way, only alocasia with monochromatic foliage can be propagated.
Seeds are sown in spring in seedling containers with loose soil (peat, leafy soil and sand). During storage, seeds lose their germination due to moisture loss, which is why sowing is carried out immediately after collection. Deepen by 0.5-1 cm into the ground, moisten and cover the container with a transparent material (glass, polyethylene) to create a greenhouse effect. Boxes with earth should be kept in a bright room at a temperature of + 22 ... + 25 ° С. The soil should be kept moist by spraying constantly. After the emergence of shoots, after 2-3 weeks, the shelter is removed. Seedlings dive when 2-3 leaves are formed, transplanted into individual small containers up to 7-10 cm in diameter. The next transplant is carried out only after the horses have completely filled the flower pot. The method requires patience, since only after 1 year large leaves appear on a young plant.
When propagating by stem cuttings in the spring, a leaf with a small fragment of the stem pulp is cut off at an angle of 45 °. The place of the cut is sprinkled with charcoal and left for 2-3 hours. To accelerate the development of the root system, Kornevin is used: the cutting is immersed in this biostimulator for a couple of hours, then planted in a separate flower pot with a sand-peat mixture. By the end of the first month, the cutting will take root, a signal of this will be the beginning of the formation of new leaves. In the case of propagation of alocasia by offspring or daughter tubers, it is much easier to get a new young plant. Sprouted nodules are transplanted when at least one leaf sprouts and opens.
The division of the rhizome is carried out during the transplantation process. To do this, the plant is removed from the pot, the roots are freed from the ground. If it is difficult to do this, they are immersed in water. The bush is cut with a knife into several parts so that in each plot there are one or more leaf rosettes or a growth bud. All sections are treated with charcoal. After the plot, they are planted in individual flower pots. The room temperature should not be lower than + 23 ° C, it is necessary to ensure regular spraying of new plants until the leaves on the sprouts acquire elasticity.
Transfer
When growing alocasia at home, be prepared for the need to transplant it annually. All work with the plant is carried out only with gloves - it is poisonous, and even a light touch to the leaves or roots can cause irritation.
Pot selection and suitable soil
The container for alocasia is chosen high and moderately spacious so that 4-5 cm on each side remain between the stem and the sides. Every year, a home beauty must be transplanted into a new pot, which is 2-3 sizes larger than the previous one.
This plant categorically does not tolerate dense heavy substrates - the soil for alocasia should be slightly acidic, moisture and air permeable, with good mechanical properties. You can use a mixture of leafy, sod land (do not add coniferous - it is too acidic), peat and sand (2: 2: 1: 3).
To improve the mechanical properties, 1 part of coconut fiber is added to the resulting mixture. The ideal soil for alocasia, when clenched in a fist, retains and holds its shape, but crumbles at the slightest touch.
Step-by-step process of transplant and care after it
When transplanting alocasia, it is advisable not to disturb the earthen lump, therefore it is carried out by the transshipment method:
- 2-3 cm of drainage and a small layer of soil are poured into a new pot;
- the plant is carefully removed;
- placed in the center of the prepared container;
- fill up the earth so that the bark neck remains open.
Sometimes, when transplanting, it is required to remove part of the root system - for example, with partial decay. In this case, the roots are completely cleaned of the soil, the damaged parts are removed, the cuts are processed with crushed charcoal. They are allowed to dry for 15 minutes before being placed in the pot.
After transplanting, caring for alocasia is reduced to the fact that the plant is placed in a greenhouse, which is aired daily. Watered carefully, trying not to dry out and at the same time not pour alocasia.
Healing properties
Alocasia has healing properties, all parts of the plant have analgesic, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. The ability to disinfect is used in the treatment of bactericidal, infectious diseases (streptococcus, staphylococcus, tuberculosis, etc.). Alocasia is used in oncology for cancer, the plant suppresses the development of cancer cells, has a rejuvenating effect on the body.
The healing properties of alocasia are used in the treatment of fever and malaria, the flower is placed near the patient's bed, especially when coughing, sneezing and purulent wounds. It has a calming effect on the mental state, improves sleep patterns, relieves stress after stress, and helps with seasonal depression. Using alocasia in design landscaping, it not only serves as a decoration, but also disinfects the air, neutralizes various poisons and toxic fumes.
It should be remembered that all parts of the plant are poisonous, during treatment, the dosage prescribed by the doctor should be strictly observed, self-medication with grass is dangerous to health. The juice of the grass is also poisonous; rubber gloves should be used when working with all parts of the perennial. In culture, only one species is grown (large-root alocasia), which has medicinal properties.
Chemical composition
Alocasia is not included in the register of medicinal plants in Russia, its chemical composition is not well understood. The plant is used as a remedy in countries with natural germination of alocasia.
Perennial leaves contain phytoncides, essential oils, hydrocyanic acid, mercuric chloride, biologically active substances - alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins. The toxicity of perennials is due to the presence of calcium oxalate in the cells of the plant, which has a strong irritating effect on the mucous membranes and skin. Large-root alocasia contains mercury, cyanide compounds.
Contraindications
For safety, any use of a medicinal product based on a weather forecast is possible only after consulting a doctor. It is forbidden to use alocasia for medicinal purposes for pregnant women, women during breastfeeding, children.
Tincture
For cooking, use alcohol (40% strength) or vodka.
Alocasia tincture is made only from leaves with petioles. Take one leaf plate with a petiole, cut it into small pieces, place it in a glass jar, fill it with alcohol or vodka in an equal proportion. For the preparation of medicines, they take the lowest sheet, choose the one that began to die off, but at the same time retained the green stalk. Insist 2-3 weeks in a dark place.
The use of tinctures is found in various fields for the treatment of many ailments.Compresses, lotions, rubbing based on tincture help to reduce pain in joint diseases, myositis and osteochondrosis, are used for thrombophlebitis, various skin lesions (eczema, psoriasis, etc.), hemorrhoids. It is used internally for the treatment of prostatitis, inflammation and pulmonary tuberculosis, blood diseases, mastopathy, and the formation of malignant tumors. When using the tincture orally, the dose is gradually increased. Doctors strongly do not recommend prescribing and using the tincture on their own. Only a specialist determines the course of treatment and the acceptable dosage.
What is the difference from other species?
Alokazia Arma or Indian arum, as it is also called, differs from related species primarily in size - the plant is very large, naturally reaching 3 meters in height... Another difference is the vertical stem and the vertical arrangement of the leaves on it.
This type of alocasia belongs to medicinal plants, unlike other varieties.
Florist reviews
Regarding the reproduction of alocasia tubers. These bulbs or bulbs are best germinated at 100% moisture. I do this: I put all the kids in a transparent glass, pour literally a drop of water into it (the bottom of the glass is just slightly covered), and cover the whole thing with another glass, sometimes fix it with tape. This creates 100% humidity. However, they do not rot. After three to four weeks (sometimes even earlier) roots begin to appear, when the roots reach about 3-4 cm, I plant them, but the soil must be as loose as possible, alocasia do not like swamps, it is necessary to pour expanded clay on the bottom of the planting tank, I I even add fine expanded clay to the ground. I cover the top of the head with a glass, until the first leaf appears. This method of raising children is more acceptable to me, I tried other methods, nothing worked. And regarding the overflow of alocasia, I think this is a delusion, from my own experience I can say that overflow is not terrible for them, in essence, alocasia are marsh plants, but dense soil, and even with waterlogging, is destructive for them.
IRA
Alokazia is very moody in changing location. Better not to carry it from place to place. I have alocasia in one stable place (I don't even twist it), all conditions are constant, and it produces two leaves with great difficulty in a year. Sometimes there was one. This is the norm for her.
Virgo
Recently, I got used to propagating alocasia with small onion children. To do this, I clean the purchased plant completely from the earth and separate the bulbs. They are usually found on the roots closer to the stem. I plant the bulbs in the greenhouse so that the top looks out a little to the surface (the small tail is the top, the longer is the root). Bulbs start to grow in different ways, from a month to six months, each leaf is larger than the previous one. Such alocasia are much easier to care for, as they initially get used to room conditions.
Nata F
I make alocasia a looser soil than other Aroids (philodendrons, monsters). And I water it only after the soil is completely dry. I don't spray the leaves, I just remove the dust with a damp cloth, otherwise there will be spots on the leaves. Basically, alocasia die from the bay or heavy soil that does not dry out, and the result is again rotting of the roots. In my opinion, alocasia are very tenacious.
I have already bought a second alocasia, and I just can't find a common language with her. Transplanted into soil for palm trees, added sand, vermiculite, sphagnum, drainage to the bottom. Everything she loves. But again the leaves turn yellow and dry. I dig it up - the roots rot. I'm already afraid to water it. And so I already pray for her. I had to change the land again. Now standing, neither alive nor dead. Until it gives new leaves, I cannot be calm for her.
Tim82
Alokazia was given to me for my birthday at work. There were 2 leaves.Now the beauty has grown, she even wanted to bloom! I don't make any special efforts to grow it, only I don't put it in the sun and try not to flood it. It is imperative to spray, especially during the heating season, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and dry. I fertilize with ordinary fertilizer Humus, when I don’t forget. When I transplanted into a larger pot, I put the drainage on the bottom. Sometimes I arrange a shower flower. The interior looks great, an unusual plant and very beautiful.
Tatiyanna77
I am very pleased with alocasia. The plant won me over with its beautiful leaves. They are of unusual shape and bright juicy colors. In leaving, alocasia is completely unpretentious. Like all plants, it needs light, periodic watering, spraying, feeding. She does not need any special conditions of detention. For me, the only difficulty is to dilute a large number of leaves. As soon as a new leaf begins to crawl out, the old one begins to die off. The maximum number of leaves I have is six. In November-December, my alocasia begins to bloom. 1-2 flowers come out and bloom for about a month. The flower, of course, is not so hot, it looks like an ear of corn, for an amateur, but I like it. The only minus of the plant is that it has poisonous leaves and roots. You need to be careful when transplanting. And protect the flower from children and animals.
Manzak
How to feed Alokazia
In the warm season, when the plant is in the growing phase, it must be fed. Regularity of top dressing: 1 fertilizer for 20-25 days.
To do this, you should purchase complex mineral or organic fertilizers. Florists recommend fertilizers with a high nitrogen and potassium content.
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Species diversity of alocasia
In order not to "get lost" in the variety of plants of this species, we recommend that you read a brief reference. And, of course, admire the alocasia in the photo.
Air humidity
In addition to air temperature, humidity is also important. In its usual environment, the plant grows all the time in a warm and humid climate and getting into an apartment, it may begin to suffer from too dry air. In the summer, when the weather is especially hot outside, alocasia needs to be irrigated with warm, settled water, in winter you need to be very careful with this, because this procedure, paired with cool air, can cause the development of a fungal or putrefactive disease. It is best to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, this will help moisten them and remove a layer of dust that will make breathing easier.
Bad friend
Alocasia is harmless if you admire it. It is at least unreasonable to take inwardly prepared tinctures from arma. On the Internet, you can find stories of daredevils who, following popular advice, prepared these medicinal tinctures, took them and survived. The only thing that can be said in this case is that nobody is given a second life. Take care of the first one.
An absolute contraindication for all experiments with alocasia - age up to 18 years, pregnancy, breastfeeding, heart disease.
If you, trusting traditional medicine, want to try the healing effect of arma on yourself, consult your doctor.
Features of the
In the conditions of its natural habitat, this type of plant is able to grow up to 3 m and more, and for its large leaves, this type of alocasia was nicknamed "elephant ears".Recently, people have begun to grow alocasia at home, but indoors it will not be able to reach its usual size, because the pot and the small space limit its growth.
Florists who look after the plant at home may not know about its origin and growth characteristics. But certain moments should nevertheless raise a number of questions. For example, the leaves that the local people in the tropics use for shelter from the rains can cause miniature rainfall. If the plant lends itself to abundant watering, moisture passing through the roots and stems is removed from the leaf plates.
For local residents, this phenomenon is imperceptible, which cannot be said about the plant that is kept in the apartment. There are many opinions that in this way alocasia is trying to predict the coming weather. But nerds deny this. Collecting water on the foliage should indicate to the plant owner that he is bringing in a lot of moisture for watering, and this needs to be corrected. Another surprise that large-root alocasia can present is the development of rather large inflorescences, since it is from small flowers that can form huge inflorescences or green bracts.
After pollination takes place, the perianth dies off, and instead of it, round red fruits are formed that are not edible. But thickening of rhizomes, and juicy foliage stalks after prolonged treatment in boiling water, are a food product for the local inhabitants of Oceania. If you try raw stems, a person will experience an unpleasant burning taste, which is due to the presence of calcium oxalate.
Keeping large-root alocasia in an apartment will not be a big problem for the owner, because she is not picky in terms of care. But you can't forget about it either, because the plant is accustomed to the conditions of tropical forests, therefore it needs some conditions, the basis of which is the indoor microclimate.
Signs and superstitions
According to popular belief, alocasia brings misfortune to the house, but this is just a superstition. This tropical plant is not capable of harming households and causing failure. A flower can only cause harm if its poisonous sap gets on the human skin during transplantation. But in this case, it is enough to wear gloves before starting the procedure to avoid the appearance of a problem.
This is how the "tears" of alocasia look
There is also a sign associated with this tropical flower. Drops similar to tears sometimes form on the leaves of alocasia, and this is interpreted as a sign of impending disaster. But the phenomenon can be explained scientifically. The plant has special stomata on its leaves through which it removes excess moisture. Alocasia tears appear after watering, and a small amount of drops is normal, but if there are too many of them, then you should water less often.
Alokazia is an exotic plant with a high decorative effect. The flower will perfectly fit into any interior, decorating a veranda or winter garden. Proper care and provision of comfortable conditions for the flower will help to avoid problems during cultivation.
Priming
The soil for the plant should be loose, free to pass air and moisture.
Ready-made soil can be bought in a store (you need to choose land for decorative deciduous plants) or you can prepare it yourself.
To do this, you need to take 1 part of clean sand and peat, as well as 2 parts of leaf and sod land and humus. You can also add 1 part of chopped sphagnum moss to the soil. A prerequisite is good drainage.
Benefit without harm
Not a single doctor will prohibit admiring alocasia, the beauty of which improves the emotional state of a person: irritability goes away, relations in the family are harmonized.
Alocasia leaves absorb hazardous substances that are emitted from plastic and paintwork (formaldehyde, phenol, toluene, etc.).The phytoncides contained in the leaves disinfect the air, fight influenza viruses, kill staphylococcus, streptococcus, and E.coli. In this way, they maintain our health without causing any harm.
3.Types of alocasia:
3.1 Alocasia Polly or Amazonian - Alocasia sanderiana
Very attractive decorative leafy, evergreen plant with dark green, curly leaves on long basal petioles. The leaf blades are covered with veins, highlighted in a lighter shade.
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3.2.Alocasia large-rhizome - Alocasia macrorrhizos
This species has glossy, bright green heart-shaped leaves. The leaf blades are soft, have beautiful corrugated edges. Thick leaf stalks reach a length of 90 cm.
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"Stars" are sick too
Even with careful maintenance, no one is immune from the appearance of parasites. Spider mites, scale insects and aphids may appear on the "weatherman".
If the leaves fall off, turn yellow, spots are visible on them, what is the reason for?
- The main enemies of the Asian "mourner" are pests, dry microclimate and lack of fluid.
- Insect treatment is not difficult. Destroy them by treating the plant with a soap solution, a mixture of tobacco and alcohol.
- The cause of the disease is not harmful creatures, but improper courtship.
- In low light, the deciduous crown turns pale.
- Dry spots are burns. Move the pot to a well-lit windowsill, but away from direct light.
- Yellow leaves tell their owner about the disease from drafts, hard water and a sharp cold snap.
- Withering or rotting signals an excess of moisture, or vice versa, about little watering.
- Rotting root. The "elephant ear" is stressed by unsuitable soil and cold.
- The pet sheds its “dress”, but the rhizomes are healthy? So she's getting ready for her winter sleep. Replace the ground, stop watering, and remove to partial shade.
I fly everything
The experience of Chinese traditional medicine shows that drugs based on arma can help almost all types of diseases. The versatility of their healing action is amazing. So, tincture on the leaves of arma treats diseases:
- gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, helminthiasis, stomach ulcer, intestinal and gastric colic, enteritis);
- joints and spine (osteochondrosis, polyarthritis, gout, rheumatism, herniated disc);
- veins (hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis);
- respiratory organs (pneumonia, tuberculosis);
- skin (psoriasis, rash, itching).
In addition, Arma preparations work as an antidote for snake bites, treat prostatitis, help with an increase in the thyroid gland, paralysis, malignant tumors, and heal trophic ulcers.
Important: never self-medicate, its consequences exacerbate the severity of the disease.
Cancer won't go away!
Studies of the antitumor properties of arma were carried out in China 5 years ago, and it was found that an aqueous extract of polly alocasia fights liver cancer cells. Traditional healers use their own method of treating oncology, using arma tincture for two-month courses.
In Russia, the official study of the anticarcinogenic effect of Arma preparations has not yet been completed.
You can't take it with your bare hands
Collecting the leaves of the arma, chopping the rhizome is permissible only with rubber gloves and goggles. Getting on the mucous membrane, the juice of alocasia burns like hell and causes poisoning. Tools, utensils and hands should be thoroughly rinsed after working with the plant. It is strictly forbidden to use undiluted juice and young leaves of the arma; for the preparation of infusions, the old lower leaves are taken, which have turned yellow and will soon fall off.
Where to get planting material?
It is rather difficult to propagate alocasia rhizome by seed method. The fact is that seedlings growing from seeds do not retain their varietal characteristics, therefore, domestic stores practically do not offer arma seeds for sale.However, they can be bought on foreign online trading platforms, for example, and conduct an independent experiment on growing a young plant. A bag of three or four seeds is sold for 60-80 rubles with delivery to Russia.
It is much easier to get a new plant by growing from a daughter tuber, leaf or rhizome piece.
Copper and Velvet
In plant growing, 5 types of indoor flowers are most often used:
- Large-root (A. macrorhiza) - a two-meter beauty with rounded thyroid leaves, yielding scarlet fruits;
- Amazonian, or Alokazia Sander "Polly" (A. amazonica, A. sanderiana "Polly") - medium-sized houseplant, decorated with elongated arrow-shaped dark malachite leaves with prominent white veins and jagged edges, blooming in the room, but does not form fruit;
- Copper-red (A. cuprea) - the most poisonous and exotic species in terms of color: its leaves are crimson below and green with a copper tint on top;
- Fragrant (A. odora) - a compact plant on which small fragrant flowers bloom;
- View "Black Velvet" (A. "Black Velvet"), which has black-purple velvety foliage with white convex veins.
Watering
Alocasia is very fond of moisture and reacts violently to its deficiency. Large amounts of greenery require water and nutrients, and if they are lacking or lacking, the foliage will begin to wither and crumble. But you can't overdo it with watering, especially in winter, because it won't end well. The first manifestations of transfusion can be seen in drops of water protruding on the leaves. Systematic waterlogging is fraught with the appearance of yellow spots on the foliage, which eventually turn brown, then it crumbles and the root system rotts.
In the summer, the plant requires frequent watering, the grower should observe the state of the upper ball of earth in the pot, which should dry out slightly. On very hot days, a tray with stones can be placed under the pot, into which water is poured. Likewise, the roots will not have contact with water, but the soil will have access to a constant source of moisture. In winter, you can add water 2-3 times a week.
Features and characteristics of large-root alocasia
In Latin, its name sounds like Alocasia macrorrhizos. This is how the flower was called by the botanists of the time of Catherine the Great. Translated, this means, as large-root alocasia. Insofar as she belongs to the aroid family, then it is also called arma.
Important! Alocasia is the best remedy for varicose veins.
It is impossible not to notice the plants. Its "height" reaches two meters. A wide crown of huge leaves is formed on a strong stem. Their width is about 40 cm, and their length can reach 80 cm.
The plant resembles the tops of a giant beet due to the similarity in the shape of the leaves of these two crops. Only in alocasia are they gray-green in color and permeated with noticeable white veins.
In this video you will see what are the forms of the leaves of alocasia.
A large plant has a rather big bud. It is similar to the flowers of spathiphyllum or calla lilies, only exceeding them in size. A cob flower of impressive size envelops a bedspread of about 20 cm, which looks very impressive. It has a white or greenish tint. Each ear forms hundreds of small buds, which individually look inconspicuous. But together they make a strong impression.
As soon as this type of alocasia is not called among the people. And the elephant's ear because of the large smooth leaves, and the mourner, and the weatherman, because the plant is better than any forecaster at predicting weather changes.
Tincture
We choose an old, but still fresh leaf. Grind it with a stem and fill it with one hundred milliliters of alcohol (70%). We insist in a dark place for ten days.
Important! Strict adherence to the dosage is necessary, since the tincture is poisonous.
Basic rules for plant care
In order for the plant to look as luxurious as in the photo of Alokazia, and also to bring aesthetic pleasure to others, it is necessary to create certain conditions for it.
Caring for a room beauty cannot be called simple, since the plant is quite capricious.
Particular attention should be paid to the room temperature and the absence of drafts. Alokazia is a thermophilic plant, so a temperature of about 23-26 degrees in summer is ideal for it.
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A comfortable temperature in summer is considered to be up to 20 degrees Celsius.
Infusion
It is not recommended to boil, because this is how the healing properties disappear.
Pour fresh, chopped leaves with a glass of water at a temperature of up to 90 degrees and leave for about eight hours in the dark. This infusion should not be stored for more than two days.
