Hello all!
I have an AlocasiaXAmazonica houseplant, and I've been told that I can divide by a method called "rhizome division". I know that if a little plantlet appears, that can be removed and planted, but can a new plant be started simply by planting a peice of the root? If so, could I get some advice as to the best way to do it?
Thanks in advance!
musicman73
Musicman,
The answer to your question is no.
This particular plant can only be divided. It is best to wait until summer and be patient enough to let the 'baby' develop to 1/3 - 1/2 the size of the parent bulb for best results.
We grow Amazonica as a landscape plant and it is very slow growing. It stops growing if the night temps drop below 70*. I can understand your impatience - I would imagine it grows very slowly for you in Canada.
I have given up on Amazonica, unless a client insists on it. I have one landscape that I take care of that has a couple tubers in the ground, they never have more than 2 leaves and have never multiplied and I have been working there for over 5 years. I like the fast growers>
DaleTheGardener
Thanks for the response! I sort of had the feeling that I need to wait until a plantlet is ready to be removed, etc. I'm growing my Amazonica as a houseplant in a 2 gallon container. I've heard mixed advice on it's light needs. I've heard bright light, and I've also heard shade! Any tips on light? Thanks in advance!!
Musicman
It can take some direct sun, just not all day. In the winter when the sun is 'weak' you could have it in a south facing window. In the summer an east window is best.
I have seen them growing in ground here with 1/2 (morning) sun, even in the heat of summer they do fine. They are not a touchy plant for our area.
They do like it humid. So I think that growing it in a house, with the dry heat, might hurt the leaves, but, I don't have any experience. I don't have heat in my house. I do have a great Air Conditioning system for summer cooling.
Mine can not handle any direct sunlight from a window at all without destroying/damaging the leave's even in our winter month's of zone 7A. I agree with DaleThe Gardener, this plant like's humidity! I would suggest if you do not have a type of " humidity" level where your plant abide's...place a saucer of pebble's with water underneath the planter
I really like these plant's but they can be a little fickle at time's. Wishing you the best
Rachel
