House plant alocasia can be of different sizes, which is also very convenient for florists. Depending on the capacity of the premises, the plant is chosen in height from 70 to 200 cm. Large leaves reach a length of 50-70 cm. Alokazia is considered the most ornamental copper-red. Its heart-shaped half-skinned leaves have a copper-green color on top and a purple-lilated bottom. The oval leaf grows to 30-35 cm in length. The stem of this small variety of alocasia has a height of up to 10 cm.
Alocasia is a perennial tuber plant, its natural habitat is Southeast Asia and Australia, where almost 70 species of this beautiful plant can be found.
Location. Light rooms with a comfortable temperature of at least 18-22 ° C - an ideal condition for the life of this plant. It tolerates penumbra well, and in winter it will respond with gratitude to additional lighting with fluorescent lights. In this case, it will delight the eye with its evergreen beauty and in the most severe frosts. For a normal light balance, one luminescent lamp 50 cm long at a distance of about 5-10 cm from the plant is sufficient. The light day for alocacia is 12 hours, at night the lamp turns off. If there is no possibility of additional illumination, it is necessary to place the plant on the windowsill, making sure that there are no drafts, and the window sill itself was not cold.
Care. Alocasia is a plant that requires abundant watering, especially during the summer. With the onset of cold weather, watering is reduced until the soil coma is maintained in a moderately moist state. Also, do not allow the dryness of the soil, as well as its waterlogging. To maintain the correct balance, drainage is organized, for this, claydite or gravel is poured into the pallet. An important component of care is sufficient humidity. At least three times a week, the alocasia plant is sprayed and watered and fed with warm, settled water, the temperature of which should be 25 ° C. Large leaves are very easily damaged, so it is not desirable to wipe them with a damp cloth. Reducing the volume of watering in the winter prevents rotting of the roots, but if this could not be avoided, it is necessary to treat the plant with a special preparation "Hom" (bp for 0. 5 liters of water). The root system is treated with the solution, after which it is carefully dried.
Reproduction. This indoor plant reproduces by the division of rhizomes and seeds, and both are conducted exclusively in the early spring. The plant is very demanding for the soil, the most suitable in this case is a ready-made soil intended for succulent plants, azaleas and heather. If there is no possibility to buy a ready-made soil, you can make it yourself, for this you need to take about 1 part moss and low peat, connecting with one part of river sand. On a bucket of the given mixture it is necessary to add a table spoon of a mix "Agricola for decorative plants". A prerequisite is a thorough personal hygiene - after working with the soil, be sure to wash your hands.
Diseases and pests. Alocasia suffers from damage by a spider mite. This little red spider inhabits the underside of the leaves, enveloping them with the finest white cobwebs. Fighting this pest is carried out with the help of regular spraying and washing of leaves, especially on the underside, with weak tobacco infusions, water, pollination, ground sulfur, or the plant should be treated with a ready-made systemic insecticide.
Another enemy of alocasia is the scab, called so because of the wax plaque - the "scute" covering the body of the pest. This fast-growing insect can be seen on stems and leaves, where they form dark spots. From under the scutes of adults, larvae spread throughout the plant. In the larval stage, the pest is destroyed with a soap-tobacco solution with the addition of denatured alcohol or kerosene. Larger adults are removed using a wet swab.
And, finally, aphids, a small insect of green color. It can be found on the back of the sheet. Aphids feed on the juice of the plant, causing the leaves to wither and curl up. Like the scabbard, aphids multiply rapidly. To destroy aphids it is possible with available on sale special ready preparations or solutions of nicotine - sulphate with soap in a proportion of 1 gr. nicotine - sulfate per liter of ordinary soapy water.
A day after the treatment, the plant should be thoroughly washed, protecting the soil with polyethylene, in order to avoid getting into it an insecticide. If necessary, the treatment can be repeated.
The state of the plant can be easily determined by its appearance: healthy leaves have bright beautiful leaves, if they remain fresh, but lose their brightness, it is necessary to increase the illumination. This light-loving plant, but it, at the same time, does not tolerate direct sunlight on the leaves. Prikhotlivo this plant and the temperature regime, responding to sudden changes and drafts stains on the leaves with their subsequent drying. If only the tips of the leaves are dry, then watering is inadequate or the air does not have the right amount of moisture. With proper care and proper treatment, the plant will always be healthy.
Dropping leaves after active growth may indicate damage to the tubers. In this case, they must be moved to fresh soil and leave the pot in some cool place to allow the plant to survive the rest period. At the first appearance of new shoots, transfer the pot from the plant to a bright, warm place and start watering.
Therapeutic properties of alocasia. Despite external beauty, all parts of alocacia are poisonous. Nevertheless, its medicinal properties are known from ancient times, which are widely used in folk Chinese medicine. For external use, tincture of alocacia is prepared: a leaflet of an adult plant with a petiole is kept in a darkened place in 0. 5 liters of ordinary vodka for 2 weeks. It is used in the treatment of polyarthritis, back pain, and it can also treat wounds.
Alocasia is a popular remedy in Chinese medicine for the treatment of neoplasms, including cancerous tumors. Of course, you need a preliminary consultation with your doctor.