How to Grow and Care for Alocasia micholitziana (Green Velvet Alocasia) Indoors
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Alocasia micholitziana (Green Velvet Alocasia) requires bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, aroids potting soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Alocasia micholitziana is among the popular Alocasia varieties bearing arrow-shaped, deep matte green leaves with a velvety texture on the upper surface and white veining, and pale-green undersides.
The leaves are borne on mottled, brown-red or purple leaf stalks and grow to about 1 foot long and 6-8 inches wide. The stem is short and the leaves appear to emerge from the ground.
Alocasia micholitziana was described by Henry Fredrick Conrad Sander in 1912. He named it after the German Plant collector, Wilhelm Micholitz.
Botanical name: Alocasia micholitziana
Family: Araceae
Common name: Green Velvet Alocasia
Origin
Alocasia micholitziana (Green Velvet Alocasia) is endemic to the Island of Luzon in the Philippines.
Size
Alocasia micholitziana is one of the fast-growing plants which grows to a height of about 2-3 feet and a width of about 2 feet. The leaves are about 1.3 feet long and about 6-8 inches wide placing this plant among the best plants for the living room for a bold statment.
Flower
The flowers in Green Velvet Alocasia are a greenish spathe and a cream-colored spadix and only last a few days. To conserve the plants energy and direct it to foliage growth, cut the flowers as soon as they appear, though, it is unlikely to flower when grown indoors.
Toxicity
Alocasia micholitziana like other Alocasia Plants is toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. It contains crystals of calcium oxalate which if ingested can numb and swell the tongue and pharynx leading to difficulty in breathing and sharp pain in the throat. Keep the plant away from the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishaps.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add this amazing Green Velvet Alocasia to your collection, they are available online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Alocasia micholitziana Care Indoors
Alocasia micholitziana (Green Velvet Alocasia) grows best in bright indirect light, average warmth of 18-250C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, aroids potting soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Green Velvet Alocasia also requires regular pruning to keep it neat and tidy as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only necessary when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Alocasia micholitziana liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
Decrease watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Underwatering will signal dormancy to the plant which may cause the leaves to start dying in readiness for dormancy.
Green Velvet Alocasia does not like soggy soil as it is prone to fungal infestations like leaf spot diseases and root-rot. Therefore, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-drained to prevent it from getting soggy.
Light Requirements
Alocasia micholitziana grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light). Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can cause the leaves to be sunscorched (brown marks on the leaves).
Too little light for Green Velvet Alocasia will signal dormancy to the plant which may cause the leaves to start dying in readiness for dormancy. Where the natural light is not adequate, you may grow the plant under grow lights. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant gets light on all sides for even growth to prevent lop-sided growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 18-250C is ideal for Alocasia micholitziana. Below 150C, the plant may drop all its leaves and go into dormancy stage. Keep it away from drafts as it does not like sudden changes in temperature as they can cause leaf drop.
Alocasia micholitziana requires high humidity of 60-70% to thrive. To increase humidity set the pot on a wet pebble trayor use a cool mist humidifier. You can also grow the plant in a bathroom and other moist areas in the home where lighting is adequate. Check out these techniques on how to raise the humidity for houseplants.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp wiping them with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pests infestations. Make sure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Feeding
Feed Alocasia micholitziana with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks during the growing period for lush growth. Stop feeding in the cold season as the plant undergoes dormancy during this period and growth is minimal at this time.
Flush out accumulated salts arising from fertilizers every 2-3 months by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage holes. Let the stream of water run for a few minutes. Repeat the process several times.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Alocasia micholitziana should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Aroids potting mixes are ideal for Alocasias.
Repotting
Alocasia micholitziana prefers to be root-bound, therefore frequent repotting is not needed. Avoid frequent repotting as the plant can take long to recover from repotting shock. Repotting every 2 years should be adequate.
Repot into a pot 1 size larger during the growing season only if the roots have grown out through the drainage holes.
Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to fungal infestations. Take a look at these beautiful planters with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Alocasia micholitziana is easy as it only requires removal of yellow and diseased leaves as they occur to maintain the plant neat and to reduce chances of diseases and pests infestation.
Remove the leaves by cutting at the base with a sterilized knife or pair of scissors to avoid disease transimission. Take care not to injure the new leaves that are forming.
Propagation
Alocasia micholitziana (Green Velvet Alocasia) can be propagated by plant division at the beginning of the growing season.
How to propagate Alocasia micholitziana by plant division
A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root, therefore, water the Alocasia micholitziana thoroughly at least one day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.
Carefully take out the Alocasia micholitziana from its pot and gently divide the rhizome into sections by cutting through with a sharp sterilized knife. Ensure that each section has 1-2 stems.
Pot the sections in individual pots in moist free-draining soil at the same depth that they were in the previous pot.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges after which you can begin Green Velvet Alocasia routine care.
Alocasia micholitziana Problems
Alocasia micholitziana (Green Velvet Alocasia) problems include plant dying, leaf spots, yellowing leaves, drooping leaves, dropping leaves, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Dark brown or black leaf spots
Dark brown or black leaf spots in Alocasia micholitziana are an indication of leaf spot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil and overwet conditions. Isolate the affected plant immediately to prevent spread to other plants, remove the damaged leaves and treat with a fungicidal solution.
Ascertain that there is proper drainage of both the soil and the pot to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Avoid misting and wetting the leaves to keep them dry and ensure that there is good air circulation.
Pests
Common pests in Alocasia micholitziana are mealy bugs, aphids, spider mites and scales. Isolate the affected plant to prevent further spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil as per the instructions on the label.
Drooping leaves
There are two possible causes of drooping leaves in Alocasia micholitziana. One possible cause of drooping leaves is too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it can receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not enough. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
The second possible cause of drooping leaves in Green Velvet Alocasia is underwatering. Keep the soil slightly moist during the growing season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Reduce watering in the cold season to keep the soil barely moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Read more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Dropping leaves and the plant dying
There are three possible reasons why the leaves in Alocasia micholitziana are dropping and the plant is dying. These three reasons signal dormancy for Alocasia micholitziana and hence the leaves die in readiness to enter dormancy.
This happens during the cold season (winter) when the plant undergoes dormancy. Even if the foliage may die, the underground rhizome is still alive and can regrow under favorable conditions.
One possible reason why the leaves in Green Velvet Alocasia are dropping and the plant is dying is too little light as it grows best in bright indirect light. Move it to a brighter spot and ensure it receives bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not sufficient.
The second possible reason why the leaves are dropping and the plant is dying is too low temperature below 150C. Green Velvet Alocasia grows best in average warmth of 18-250C. Protect it from cold and hot drafts which cause sudden changes in temperature.
The third possible reason why the leaves in Alocasia micholitziana are dropping and the plant is dying is underwatering. Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season and water less in the cold season to keep the soil barely moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Leaves losing color and dying
The reason why the leaves in Alocasia micholitziana are losing color and dying is too little light as it grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight.
Move the Green Velvet Alocasia to a brighter spot and ensure it receives bright indirect light and protect it from direct sunlight. You can also grow it under a grow light if the natural light is inadequate.
Brown leaf edges
One possible cause of brown leaf edges in Alocasia micholitziana is low humidity. Where the air temperatures are high, the air humidity is likely to reduce significantly.
To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other moist areas in the home.
The second possible cause of brown leaf edges in Green Velvet Alocasia is accumulation of salts in the soil which could have come from fertilizers or water.
To get rid of the accumulated salts arising from fertilizers, run a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage holes. Let the stream of water run for a few minutes. Repeat the process several times.
Yellowing and dropping leaves
Low humidity is the cause of yellowing and dropping leaves in Alocasia micholitziana. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
However, it is natural for the older leaves in Green Velvet Alocasia to turn yellow and drop as the plant continues to grow. Remove such leaves by snipping them off at the base with a clean sharp knife or a pair of scissors to keep the plant neat and reduce pests and disease infestations.
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