Alocasia has always been and remains a quite interesting plant mainly because of its unusual leaves. To grow it successfully you need to know some basic information.
Overwatering, underwatering, temperature stress, and nutrient deficiency are the main reasons for Alocasia to die. To revive Alocasia, water it only when the top 1-2 inches of soil in the pot are dry. Use pots with drainage holes and well-drained soil. Also, give her 6-8 hours of indirect sunlight and a temperature of 65-85°F.
Overwatering and root rot
Alocasia is dying because of root rot.
Overwatering may kill an Alocasia plant. If you are watering your Elephant’s Ear plant excessively and keeping it moist at all times, this is detrimental to the plant.
A lengthy period of waterlogging will hinder the plant roots from respiring normally. The roots will decompose in such an anaerobic environment. As a consequence, the plant will get insufficient water to perform photosynthesis. As a result, the plant will eventually wilt.
The leaves get yellow and eventually begin to droop. If this situation persists over an extended length of time, the plant will die.
To avoid your plant dying from overwatering, you must water it frequently but in smaller amounts. You just need to keep the soil wet, but not soggy or saturated. Simply touch your finger to the top two-inch layer of soil to determine when to add water. If the soil is dry, just water it; otherwise, just don’t.
Select a well-draining potting mix that will absorb any excess water if you apply too much. Make holes in the bottom of your pot to let the excess water drain rapidly.
Overwatering is a significant problem with Elephant’s Ear plants. If preventative actions are not implemented in a timely manner, root rot will almost certainly result in the death of the plant.
Read also: What is the best grow tent for mushrooms?
Light issues
Sunburn
Tropical plants such as the Alocasia do well in bright indirect light. Due to their origins in the dense canopy of tropical forests, these plants can only receive indirect sunlight. It’s best if you avoid exposure to direct sunshine. As a result, its leaves will burn if exposed to direct sunlight.
Also, this plant does not do well in low light conditions. The plant has a tough time doing photosynthesis because of the low light level.
As a result, this plant thrives in bright indirect light. This plant will thrive in a window with an east or north exposure. Add a curtain to the window if the sunlight is too intense.
Dehydration as a result of underwatering
Alocasia is dying due to underwatering.
Keeping its roots in slightly moist soil is a favorite habit of the Alocasia. However, although a brief dry spell may not harm the plant’s health, an extended dry spell can cause serious problems for it.
Soil dehydration prevents the plant from receiving the water it needs to function properly. The plant begins to shrivel up. The plant will perish if this problem is left untreated for an extended length of time.
You must examine the soil often to ensure that the plant does not die from a lack of water. You should immediately start watering if the top two inches of potting soil are dry.
Temperature stress
Alocasia, like many other tropical houseplants, has a hard time surviving in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant prefers a temperature of 18 to 25 degrees Celsius.
When the temperature drops below freezing, the plant becomes more vulnerable to cold-related damage. A decrease in temperature will slow the plant’s development, and if the temperature drops more, the plant may perish.
Winters need extra caution. The plant needs to be relocated to a more sunny, warm location.
Pest infestation
Mealybugs
Another common cause of alocasia leaf browning is pest infestation. Mealybugs, for example, are highly invasive insects. It’s possible that they’ll do significant harm to the leaves, which will result in a large number of browning spots.
Mealybugs and other pests in the family feed on roots, stems, and leaves, so be aware of this. Other insects, on the other hand, prefer to feed on leaves. Aphids, leafhoppers, scales, spider mites are examples of pests in this category.
Their bites will cause stripling and damage to foliage if such is the case. In addition, the veins and margins of leaves may become dark.
To get rid of pests, take your plant into the bathroom or shower and wash it down. After that, use insecticidal soap, horticultural oils, or other pesticides, such as neem oil, to spray the leaves. Spraying should be done on a weekly basis until the pests are gone.
Nutrient deficiency
Lack of nutrition may kill your Alocasia. However, this occurrence is very uncommon. Only if you’re a total slacker with your plants is this possible.
You may use any multi-purpose fertilizer from your local garden store to keep your plant from dying from a lack of nutrients. Feed your plant once every two months with a high-quality fertilizer. You just need to provide your plant with the essential plant nutrients.
Diseases
A bacterial, parasitic, or fungal illness in alocasia leaves may be the cause of the browning. Bacterial leaf spots have a moist look and are usually less in number but bigger in size.
Small brown dots are the first signs of a fungal infection. They’ll continue to grow and spread if you don’t cure them.
Alocasia is severely and abruptly infected with the parasite illness pythium rot. Small circular dots are the first signs of pyrite rot (roughly 2-5 cm). They have the ability to quickly grow to a diameter of up to 15 cm.
Small oval or round dots on the leaf are the first symptoms of phyllosticta leaf spot. As a result of their growth, some areas will combine with others. Spots may begin as gray and progress to brownish or dark over time. However, they may succumb, causing the leaves around them to fall apart and create ugly craters.
Anthracnose is a fungus that attacks your alocasia’s leaves or roots, depending on which part of the plant is affected. In the end, they leave the leaves with light spots on the top and brown rusty patches on the bottom.
Treat the disease as soon as possible to increase the chances of survival. The optimal course of action will be determined by the specifics of the disease.
Solution
- Diseased plants should be isolated and quarantined.
- Remove any unhealthy roots, leaves, or other pieces that may be clinging to the plant.
- Watering from above should be avoided. Early in the morning, water your alocasia to keep it healthy.
- Provide good air circulation
- If necessary, use a Bordeaux mix to kill fungi and bacteria.
- Use neem oil or pesticide to spray your plant.
Transplanting shock
If you’ve just purchased an Elephant’s ear plant and it’s exhibiting unusual behavior, it may be because of its new surroundings. It will take some time for the plant to adjust to its new surroundings. As long as this goes on, it will exhibit signs of stress such as yellowing and drying of the leaves, and slower development.
It will resume its growth after it has adjusted to its new surroundings. All you must do is supply the plant with optimal growth conditions.
It is important for this plant to have high humidity, uniformly wet but not heavily saturated ground, a moderate temperature of 18 to 25 degrees Celsius, and bright indirect sun.
To avoid root rot, don’t put this shrub in a container that’s too tiny to accommodate the roots.
Choose a large container and some potting soil that drains well. Also, make sure the pot has enough drainage holes. Otherwise, its roots will easily rot.
Place your plant in a location that receives plenty of bright indirect light, but not direct sunlight. Make sure you have everything in place to maintain a humid environment. Soon, your plant will get used to its new surroundings and begin to develop new leaves.