Alocasia Scalprum Acclimatization
Hey Greg Gang! Hoping I could hivemind some opinions here on the two routes my alocasias have decided to go in the few weeks since I’ve brought them home. I read a technique I wanted to try where you basically have a some LECA in the bottom of a terracotta pot with water, and then set the nursery pot on top as a sort of self-watering system. The *only* difference I can think of was more of a mistake and is the Frydek had more space along the sides of the nursery pot where more humidity could escape, while the Scalprum pot was pretty snug along the sides of the terracotta. I grouped them together so they could “share” the increased humidity, and put other leafy plants with them to help humidify some more. They’ve received the same light and both were fertilized. My Frydek is doing great: already has a pup growing and a new leaf coming out up top. The Scalprum, however, has had a rougher go of it. I initially just put the yellowing leaves as a sign the plant was acclimating, but I started to get worried today as the yellowing continues and it looks like root rot. I decided to pull up the nursery pot to check and to my surprise, the Scalprum had some rather nice looking roots growing through the drainage holes. Of course, there could be rot still within the pot but I think the roots poking through seem like a good indicator, no? Anyway, wondering if you think I should tweak something here or just let the Scalprum continue to acclimate. It was such a big plant and received no special humidity at the plant shop other than grouping. #AlocasiaAddicts #HappyPlants #AlocasiaScalprum
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Interesting, I have not heard of using leca on the bottom as a self watering mechanism. Wouldnt it need a wick of some kind? However, I have planted alocasia in leca completely with great success. Anyway, the discoloration on the leaves internally rather than at the edge may be indicative of fungal or bacterial issues. The two are different species and thus have different suseptiblities. Given the short time that you have had it, it probably had an infection prior to your bringing it home. Cut those bad leaves off. You said that it has good root growth, and their are plenty of leaves, so remove the necrotic tissue and treat the remaining with neem oil (covers bacterial and fungal) or another commercial treatment formulation. Luck to you.
@Jho Anytime you have a plant in a Plastic growers pot and expect that humidity could escape you’re asking for disaster. Plastic is a non-porous material whereas Terracotta is a porous material. However glazed clay will act the same way as plastic does due to the fact that it’s glazed it will not let the soils moisture dry out at the same rate an unglazed terracotta pot will. So if you’re putting the growers pot (plastic) into a „decorative“ (glazed ceramic) pot no matter how much space there is along the sides of the nursery pot the soil will remain moist and depending on the watering frequency could get soggy which doesn’t bode well for most plants.
@phytologyfan hey Jocelyn, I was skeptical of how it would work without a wick too, but I popped a Sustee in there to monitor the water level of both and it sure did turn blue! I’m so glad you mentioned your alocasia is in leca - I’ve actually got a lot left over and some liquid fertilizer that I had stashed away for when it was time. I was deciding between leca and pon but after reading about the differences, I think this one would do better with the leca for now. I’ll need to grab some neem - have the Arber fungicide but I don’t think that’ll cover the bacterial - not sure why I hadn’t considered bacterial/fungal before. Maybe a weekend project to both chop the leaves and replant in some leca. Thanks for your time and happy planting. Love your Polly btw!
@Ms.Persnickety thank you! The bottom of the pot is unglazed for water transfer, but the sides of it are glazed like you mentioned. I think you and Jocelyn have convinced me to take the leap and do a repot into some leca. I wanted to give the roots some time after getting home but 3 weeks and struggling plant sounds like a repot recipe. Hoping those nice roots poking through the bottom will help it acclimate to the leca better. 🤞🌱