I posted a question in the Aroids forum about my dead-looking Alocasia... there are no signs of new growth, yet the bulb doesn't seem dead. I love this one, and would rather it not die... so if someone can help, I'd really appreciate it!
Here's the link to the thread: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/681152/
(ROX_male was helping me out, but I'm not sure I should follow those steps if my bulb is actually not dead)
Thanks,
~Gina
please help with Alocasia...
Where did you place it when you got it home? It does not look dead, so there is a good chance that you will be able to revive it yet. Outdoors (in the warm months) I have mine in a partially shaded spot. When I bring mine in for the Winter, they usually lose all of their leaves. But after being placed under florescent lights, they soon begin growing new ones. Could this be a reaction to different conditions? Is it revceiving enough light?
Julie
It was placed outside, in a pretty shaded area... I've moved it today to a brighter-shade area while I try to determine what's going on... meanwhile, the other alocasias and colocasias (that are in pots, also waiting to be planted) are thriving in the deeper shade area where they all were originally placed, until their bed is ready.
Luckily I don't have to worry about bringing things inside :)
Possible factors could be the overwatering, or maybe they don't like the Miracle-Gro fertilized soil that they were planted in?
Or could it just be that I discovered that I was overwatering before it had a chance to rot the bulb, which is why there is no sign of damage to the roots, the only damage being that the leaves are browning/fading... (LOL, if that even makes sense).
Thanks for the response Julie! Really glad to hear you say it looks like a survivor! :)
~Gina
I'll start by saying that I don't grow Alocasia's (or any other aroids for that matter), but...I looked at your pics in the other thread, and the roots still look white which is a good sign, if they were rotting they would be brownish or black, you may not notice the smell until things get really bad but discolored roots would be a sign that they're rotting. So the leaves dying could either be the plant's first reaction to overwatering but you caught things before the roots had a chance to rot, or it could be what Julie's suggesting that a sudden change in conditions caused it to drop its leaves. Either way my guess is it'll come back fine if you give it the conditions that it likes to grow in. If you think it could have been triggered by overwatering, rox_male's suggestion of washing the roots with some peroxide would be a good idea--I don't think you have to go to the point of cutting things off since your roots look healthy, but in case there was a little bit of rot starting and it's just not gotten to the point where you notice it, the peroxide could take care of any fungus that might be there and it won't hurt the plant any if there isn't any fungus.
I have had some of my bulbs go dormant for months, only to return to life after being placed in adequate sunlight. You can cut off the spent leaves to help force the plant's energy into forming new growth. That way you don't have to look at the sad leaves. They are tougher than they look!
Gina-
I just posted to the other thread.
The root looks healthy. I think that the plant just went dormant. This can be triggered by consecutive nights of temps less than 55 degrees in many alocasia. Some of mine even go dormant if the temp is below 60.
I suggest you repot, without treatment of bleach or hydrogen peroxide (I don't think the hydrogen peroxide would hurt it, I am just not sure it is necessary). You can dip in root hormone if you want (same comment as hydrogen peroxide). Don't plant the root too deep or you will risk rot. Definitely back off on the watering until it leafs again.
Best of luck.
ROX
That's a relief, then :)
Thanks everyone!
I'll repot w/ some rooting hormone... and get some pictures posted of it in PFiles when it comes back.
Happy New Year to you all!
~Gina
You said you bought it off ebay but you didn't say what climate it was coming from. Did they use a heat pack?
Could also be shipping stress. I would just pot it up, water it and put it in the shade. Cutting off the dead leaves won't hurt.
Umm... I'm not sure what climate. But I had it for a few weeks before this started happening to it. I guess it could be a delayed reaction to the stress.
I will amend the soil some first... put some dry soil in and perlite to help with aeration.
Today, of course, is when the sky decided to fall in buckets :)~
Also of course, the rain slanted so that it was perfectly aimed at anything under the overhang!!
Thanks, I'll remember to cut off the dead leaves!
~Gina racing the thunder
I have not read the other suggestions but this has worked for me. Take the tuber and clean it off remove any rot spray with a physon 20 its the best. Then place the tuber in a 4 to 6 inch pot use promix potting soil or something very similar peat based. Once potted up place the pot and all in a plastic clear bag damp the soil a bit and maybe add a spoon of water to the bag. Sit the bag in a warm bright area keep the temps around 65 to 85f. You should see some new growth after a few weeks.
Thanks Brian :)
As it turns out, someone living near me had her plant go dormant as well, so I'm starting to think that this cultivar will go dormant no matter what conditions it's in.... but b/c I want to keep it living, I will definitely keep an eye on it.
BTW: Where do you buy your soil from? I'm unable to find much besides really cheap soil and Miracle-Gro. (I usually go to HD or Lowe's b/c they have nice soil that states it's for Cacti, for example, which really helps me out.) Should I check a local nursery for better soil choices?
The suggestions everyone's given me will help me with my other tropical bulbs, so I'm going to bookmark this thread for future reference.
Thanks again everyone :)
~Gina
Lowes carries a mix called Green something or other for flowers and vegetables. I really like it. Comes in yellow bags like 2 or 3 cu feet.
Fafard bags a nice sterile mix in huge bales that you might be able to get from local/independent nurseries. It's called "Pro Mix". Not cheap, I usually pay between 25 to 30 bucks for one, but it's good stuff, and since it's compressed, you get more than you expect when you open it up & add water. No added fertilizer too, which I prefer.
Thanks! "Pro Mix" sounds good, I'll check it out!
budgielover: My Lowe's tends to sell soil with part of the contents on the outside of the bag, LOL... that may be why I haven't looked as closely at their soils! But I'll give it a look too :)
~Gina