Losing leaves fast
How sensitive is this plant to light? I have it under a grow light. It is growing a new leaf but in the process over the past month, I’ve lost five leaves with only two healthy now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated . #AlocasiaPolly
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 months ago
7
Best Answer
@Verosplant is your plant in orchid bark only? If so, that doesn’t hold much moisture at all, and these are very thirsty plants. You will need something in your mix that holds moisture like coco coir, or tree fern fiber.
@DreamMachine I took the plant out of the pot today to check the roots. About a month ago, I repotted it using mostly orchid bark mixed with a small amount of potting soil and worm castings. The original plant had been growing in a very tight, moisture-retentive soil, and I didn’t want to disturb the root ball, so I simply placed it into a slightly larger pot and filled around it with the bark mix.
I’ve realized that it’s much harder to tell when the plant is dry with an orchid bark–heavy mix since it doesn’t retain moisture the same way. Because of that, I believe I was overwatering. When I checked the roots, the original root ball showed signs of mild root rot around some of the looser roots.
Since the soil is still wet and I don’t want to disturb the roots further, I placed the plant back into its original pot where I can better gauge dryness. Thanks so much for your help and guidance.
I’ve realized that it’s much harder to tell when the plant is dry with an orchid bark–heavy mix since it doesn’t retain moisture the same way. Because of that, I believe I was overwatering. When I checked the roots, the original root ball showed signs of mild root rot around some of the looser roots.
Since the soil is still wet and I don’t want to disturb the roots further, I placed the plant back into its original pot where I can better gauge dryness. Thanks so much for your help and guidance.
@Verosplant ohhhh, I believe you’ve accidentally created a perched water table. When you keep something moisture retentive like that around the roots and then fill in the pot with a chunkier texture, the water is not going to distribute into the full pot. The water is going to stay right there around the roots. This makes it extremely hard to water because the bark could be 💯 dry, but whatever is around the roots could still be totally wet.
I just want to check with @SuperbRaspfern to make sure that is right. 🩶💕
I just want to check with @SuperbRaspfern to make sure that is right. 🩶💕
Yes @DreamMachine is correct. You will need to treat the root rot otherwise it will just get worse.
1. Remove from your pot, to check the roots. If there is anything brown black or mushy you have rot and will need to cut it all off. Keep only the healthy roots they will be whitish in color
Now root rot comes from a bacteria that forms in your soil and then attacks your plant. So treatment is absolutely necessary.
2. Cut off all affected roots soak what is left in:
1 part peroxide + 3 parts water and leave in the peroxide mix to soak for 5 minutes this will kill off the remaining bacteria. It will bubble pot and fizz this is good it’s killing the bacteria.
3. Next is soil, the best
choice is to throw it away. It’s safest. Or bake it for 1 hour in a 200
Degree oven, not the greatest because it REALLY stinks. But it’s effective. Or the most risky way is to thoroughly flush your soil out with your peroxide mix twice! You need to be very careful and do it thoroughly because if even a teeny bit of bacteria is left your rot will come back.
4. Now the pot, it also has that pesky bacteria you must scrub it out with soapy water very well and then also scrub it down with the peroxide mix.
Now you can plant her again. Be sure to add some perlite to your soil for aeration. This will help oxygen reach those roots and I avoid bacteria growth in the future.
**** Also keep in mind most will go dormant or semi dormant through winter. Which is totally normal and they can lose many even all leaves.
During dormancy water less and DO NOT fertilize or the roots will burn.
After you treat her she will absolutely go into dormancy. Do Not panic over this she will pop up with new growth in spring.
She absolutely need to treat her though so that her corm stays healthy and does not rot.
1. Remove from your pot, to check the roots. If there is anything brown black or mushy you have rot and will need to cut it all off. Keep only the healthy roots they will be whitish in color
Now root rot comes from a bacteria that forms in your soil and then attacks your plant. So treatment is absolutely necessary.
2. Cut off all affected roots soak what is left in:
1 part peroxide + 3 parts water and leave in the peroxide mix to soak for 5 minutes this will kill off the remaining bacteria. It will bubble pot and fizz this is good it’s killing the bacteria.
3. Next is soil, the best
choice is to throw it away. It’s safest. Or bake it for 1 hour in a 200
Degree oven, not the greatest because it REALLY stinks. But it’s effective. Or the most risky way is to thoroughly flush your soil out with your peroxide mix twice! You need to be very careful and do it thoroughly because if even a teeny bit of bacteria is left your rot will come back.
4. Now the pot, it also has that pesky bacteria you must scrub it out with soapy water very well and then also scrub it down with the peroxide mix.
Now you can plant her again. Be sure to add some perlite to your soil for aeration. This will help oxygen reach those roots and I avoid bacteria growth in the future.
**** Also keep in mind most will go dormant or semi dormant through winter. Which is totally normal and they can lose many even all leaves.
During dormancy water less and DO NOT fertilize or the roots will burn.
After you treat her she will absolutely go into dormancy. Do Not panic over this she will pop up with new growth in spring.
She absolutely need to treat her though so that her corm stays healthy and does not rot.
Your welcome 🩷