[Ep-17] Araceae Black Swan Alocasia — Alocasia Black Velvet — Kokedama Planting Notes

Araceae Black Swan Alocasia - Alocasia Black Velvet - Kokedama Planting Notes

黑天鵝海芋苔玉-植屋

Black Swan Alocasia (Alocasia 'Black Velvet') is a small lithophytic variety. Its leaves have pronounced venation, are thick and have a somewhat dreamy velvety texture—like velvet and pleasant to the touch.

This plant option is now available for our Plant Studio #KokedamaWorkshop. Suitable for friends who can easily keep plants alive and who have a little bit of planting knowledge.

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Please note ⚠️: Because it is in the Araceae family, it is toxic, harmful to pets, and can poison humans if ingested.

Everyone’s growing environment is different; learn to observe.

When plants are newly brought home, they usually need time to adapt to the new environment. The closer the environment matches their natural habits, the more quickly they adapt. Sometimes, due to environmental changes, plants instinctively accelerate metabolism to adapt, and some leaf drop can occur—this is normal. Observe the plant’s changes closely; taking photos to record them is a good way to compare differences after a period of growth.

Key points:

This small lithophytic variety has noticeably coriaceous leaves that are hard and thick.

These kinds of Alocasia do not require very high ambient humidity and are more sensitive to waterlogging; they demand higher soil aeration and drainage, and they like soil with more sand and grit. Because of the coriaceous protection which reduces evaporation, they are also more sun-tolerant, but they have the poorest cold tolerance.

Light:

Black Swan Alocasia grows in tropical rainforest areas where it is shaded by taller trees and leaves in its habitat, so it prefers diffuse light or sunlight with shading. It can be placed in semi-sunny indoor or outdoor spaces and can accept longer and more sunlight but should not be exposed to full sun. Avoid wetting the leaf surface under direct sunlight, as this can cause sunburn spots on the leaves.

Avoid wetting the leaf surface under direct sunlight, as this can cause sunburn spots on the leaves. Our other article about light: https://www.greencapsulehk.com/post/ep-04-sunlight-full-partial-shade Temperature:

Optimal growth temperature is 20–30℃. Growth stops and the plant becomes dormant when temperatures fall below 15℃. In winter, be careful not to place it in drafty locations.

In winter it can accept appropriate sunlight but avoid too long sun exposure that could burn the leaves.

Water:

April–September is its vigorous growth period; during this time it requires moist soil and relatively high air humidity, so provide sufficient water.

During the growing season, keep the potting soil moist and maintain air humidity at 70%–80% to promote leaf growth and development.

When the potting soil is dry, the leaves will become soft and droop, with wavy edges.

But after watering they quickly return to normal and have a certain resistance to drought.

During summer’s high temperatures, leaf transpiration is large and water demand is higher; lack of water easily causes leaf wilting, so you can mist the leaf surface, but you must avoid waterlogging in the pot, otherwise root rot may occur.

For pot culture, water according to how dry the soil is; for kokedama, decide by the feel and weight of the moss ball. Generally, when the soil is dry it needs thorough watering; when the moss ball becomes hard and light, it needs soaking.

(We mentioned watering methods/timing in this article: https://www.greencapsulehk.com/post/ep-03-kokedama-care-essentials

植屋 1對1 十五分鐘線上植物問診 [免費]

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Alocasia Black Velvet-黑天鵝海芋苔玉

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黑天鵝海芋-葉子

*Actual conditions may need to be adjusted according to indoor environment and weather. *If possible, it is recommended to use filtered water or tap water that has been left standing overnight (to allow chlorine/fluoride to dissipate). *Optional use of foliage plant nutrient solution: once a month, one small vial each time diluted with water (1:1). *According to the website of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.aspca.org), Araceae plants are toxic to pets; avoid excessive contact or ingestion by pets.

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