Nothing so decorates the dwelling as houseplants. They do situation cozy and warm. The alocasia is one of the finest house flowers. Unusual forms of leaves literally attract all eyes. To grow up alocasia at home will not make special work, the main thing is to provide the correct care.
Lighting and temperature
The alocasia is a little exacting to conditions of keeping therefore also care for this plant has to be corresponding. In warm season indoor temperature should not exceed 20oc, in winter – 18oc. Almost all types of alocasias of tenevynosliva, small exception are krupnokornevy types (they need illumination in cold season). Preserve houseplants against drafts.
The soil for alocasia
For the correct and good growth the plant needs substrate which it will be good penetrate for moisture and air, it is preferable with subacidic reaction. Soil mix can consist of one part of the sheet earth, one part of the coniferous earth, one part of sand and half of part of peat. Perfectly mix from two parts of the cespitose earth, two parts of humus, one part of sand and one part of peat will approach. It is necessary to take care also of drainage. It is desirable to land alocasia in pot with high sides.
The alocasia blossoms very seldom. Blossoming occurs only at very adult plant. Buds small and fragrant, collected in ear. After pollination, fruits with seeds are formed inside.
Watering of alocasia
Since the beginning of spring and until the end of fall the houseplant needs abundant watering. It is the for this purpose best of all to use soft and otstoyanny water of room temperature. In half an hour after watering surely merge excess moisture from pallet. Overwetting of the soil is dangerous to alocasia. The following waterings are possible only after drying of top layer of substrate. In the winter watering has to be moderate.
Regularly clean flower from dust, for this purpose wipe alocasia leaves with the rag or sponge, the wetted in water.
The plant perfectly feels at the increased air humidity. For ensuring additional humidity put pot with flower on pallet with the marine rubble which is filled in with water or haydite. At the same time the bottom of pot should not adjoin to water, it has to stand on stones.
Fertilizing
Since the beginning of March alocasia it is necessary to feed up mineral and organic fertilizers each two weeks (fertilizers have to be intended for houseplants). Are useful to fertilizer alocasia which are rich with potassium. During the winter period feed up plant not more often than once a month, fertilizers can be alternated. Replace alocasia once a year, it is desirable to do it in the spring.