Although some time ago we told you about the dragon of Alocasia, this time we want to talk about another more mystical and less common, the silver dragon Alocasia. It is much more appreciated than the first, especially for its leaves.
But what do you know about this plant? And what about your care? Today we have prepared a guide for you so that you can have it at home and last for many years. Go for it?
How is the Alocasia silver dragon
Alocasia Silver Dragon It is also known as silver alocasia, dragon alocasia or elephant ear. Despite the fact that it is said to be hard to find, for a few years they have had it in many stores and it is no longer so rare. Despite everything, there are still not too many people who have it at home. And this has a curious aspect.
For starters, its leaves have a silvery texture that resembles the scales of a dragon. These are usually quite small and soft, as well as jade green, when they hatch. But as the leaves grow, they grow larger and develop grooves in addition to changing the color of sage to a silver color. As for the size of these, it is usually up to 20 centimeters long and 15 cm wide.
A peculiarity of this plant is that it is a bulbous plant, which implies that, if due to a problem, it loses the leaves and the stem, even the roots, if the bulb is healthy, you can make it germinate again. To do this, you must give it a few weeks of rest, always in a dry and cool place, then try again.
Of course, it is one of the smallest alocasias you will find, as it does not exceed 60 centimeters in height.
does it bloom?
If you are wondering whether the plant blooms or not, we will tell you that it depends. In its natural habitat, it succeeds, with an inflorescence that is nothing special. Actually, many cut it to prevent the plant from losing energy by throwing away the flowers.
Alocasia Silver Dragon Care
You now know a little more about the silver dragon of Alocasia. But you need to know whether it is an easy to maintain plant or not. In this sense, it is easy, but you have to know very well the care it needs, otherwise it can die quickly and easily, even the blister if left unchecked.
So, the most important care of the plant are:
location and temperature
If you want this plant to be good, you must keep it inside the house (because it needs a temperature between 18 and 27ºC. In fact, it does not tolerate drafts or temperatures below 10-12ºC or above 35ºC) unless you have a humidifier that you control.
Regarding its location inside the house, always place it where there is indirect light, it does not like direct sun as it is very sensitive and could easily burn its leaves.
Experts recommend placing it in a window facing west or east.
Substrate
For the Alocasia silver dragon, the substrate must be quite loose. And it is that, although he likes to have moist soil, what he does not want is for it to remain hardened.
For this reason, when it comes to changing the substrate (which you will do upon purchase and every one or two years, so that you see the roots coming out of the pot from below), use the following mixture: universal substrate, earthworm humus, perlite and orchid soil.
This will allow you to obtain a light soil that maintains a certain humidity.
Watering and humidity
The Alocasia silver dragon is a plant that likes moist soil. But not wet. Indeed, if you go too far in watering, you run the risk that the plant will end up rotting, not only the roots, but also the bulb, and there really is no solution.
Therefore, you need to make sure that the plant is not too wet, but also not too dry. The telltale sign of this are the leaves, which you’ll see that have brown, crunchy tips.
Depending on weather, location, etc. irrigation will be more or less. In spring and summer it will be two or three times a week, more if it is too hot. But in autumn and winter it is possible that with one a week you will have more than enough.
What you have to take into account is the humidity. For it to be good, the Alocasia silver dragon needs a humidity level between 50 and 80%.. And considering the fact that in homes it is usually around 30%, that is why many perish. Therefore, you need to place it next to a humidifier or put a tray with water and pebbles.
Also, from time to time watering the leaves will not hurt, but be careful, because sometimes moisture remains in the grooves of the leaves and causes them to rot.
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In spring and summer it is good to fertilize it a little, if possible with a product rich in calcium, manganese and magnesium. Of course, only use half the dose indicated by the manufacturer.
Apply it once a month until the temperatures start to drop.
Plagues and diseases
You could be told no, that it is pest resistant. And we wouldn’t lie because if something happens to it and the bulb is fine, you can get it back. But Alocasias tend to attract many pests and mites and spiders are the ones you will be dealing with.
Luckily they are easy to see and as soon as you do you should remove them so they don’t wreak havoc on your plant (you can do this with 70º alcohol or with neem oil ).
As for diseases, the most common go through rot, not from the roots, but from the bulb. And this is caused by poor ventilation, excess humidity or excessive watering.
Now, it’s up to you to see if you want to have a plant like Alocasia silver dragon, the plant closest to dragons that we know for the moment. You dare?