I recently purchased this Alocasia from a nursery in Floriday. After two weeks, I've lost one leaf, one of the others is fading, while the third is actually turning yellow in places. I contacted the nursery and was told that this plant prefers to be kept on the dry side and no misting. Being that this plant originates from the Phillipines, I'm surprised by this. I don't know what to do. The soil was very wet so I repotted it into drier soil. What roots is has look healthy.
Has anyone grown Alocasia sanderiana var nobilis?
Could it have been in below 45-50 degree temps for a period of time? If so, it could be going dormant. I really don't know just about the ears except to watch for spider mites and watering needs. I don't add fertilizer to mine in the house and some don't ever get fertilizer, in or out.
I think it may have reached lower temps as I had it very close to a window that didn't have a heater next to it. If it is going dormant, do I just water it sparingly and wait for it to snap out of it? I have a Alocasia "Black Velvet" which arrived at the same time and is already putting out new growth. I'm making sure I don't keep the soil too moist as I've heard this one can be really tricky during the winter. Any comments on raising Alocasia "Black Vellvet". For both of these guys, what kind of light do they prefer. I live up north in Porltland, OR, where it gets dark at 4:30pm so even with them being in a south-facing window, they don't get that much sunlight this time of year.
I've never let any go dormant because of trying, but I've had some in the basement that I thought had died and I quit watering them, but in the spring, they would start growing again. I never let them go bone dry in case there was a chance they could be dormant. Exactly how to treat them would be something one of the experts would have to handle. I am a "fly by the seat of my pants" gardener and get lucky most of the time. I've had Black Magic and Illustris and I just give them good light and water when I think they need it. My Illustris was totally gone this spring. Nothing showing on top of the soil. I put it outside and before long I had a pot full of plant that was probably close to 30 inches by 30 inches at the end of the summer, not counting pot height. I had asked someone for a replacement because I thought I had lost her, so never give up on them. They can surprise you.
The plants database said
"When planting the tops of the rhizomes should be planted above the soil or the leaves will decay at the base of the plant. Needs bright diffused light and no sun" - any chance this may be the problem....
Hope they make it .....
I went to the local nursery and talked to someone who knew a lot about Alocasias and he recommended keeping the soil on the dry side and only watering when the soil went dry all the way through. No direct sun at all either. I moved the soil away from the rhizome on all sides so will see if this helps. I'm not so sure about letting the soil go completely dry. That seems strange for a tropical plant. He also said "no misting". Everything he said is the same as the woman I bought them from so will keep y'all posted on what happens.