Alocasia reginula (Alocasia 'Black Velvet') Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Solutions
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Alocasia reginula (Alocasia Black Velvet) prefers medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-draine soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Alocasia reginula also called Little Queen is among the popular Alocasia varieties and bears broad, heart-shaped, dark-green leaves with a velvety background, pale green, white or silver veins and reddish undersides.
Little Queen grows by means of a rhizome and goes dormant in the cold season where the leaves die leaving the rhizome alive to propagate new plants during the warm season.
Botanical name: Alocasia reginula
Family: Araceae
Common names: Alocasia 'Black Velvet', Little Queen
Origin
Alocasia reginula is native to Sabah State in Malaysia in the deeply shaded limiestone cliffs in Tabin Wildlife Reserve where it is found growing on forest floors.
Size
Alocasia reginula is a compact which grows to a height of 1-2 feet and 1.5 feet wide. The leaves are about 6 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. On account of its size and affinity for high humidity, Little Queen is one of the best plants for a closed terrarium.
Flower
The flowers in Alocasia Black Velvet are pale-colored spathes which 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.
Is Alocasia reginula toxic?
Alocasia reginula like other Alocasia Plants is toxic to both humans and pets as outlined 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
Are you looking to add this beauty to your collection? You may acquire Alocasia Black Velvet online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
How to care for Alocasia reginula indoors
To care for Alocasia reginula indoors, give it medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 16-270C, humidity to 60-80% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Alocasia Black Velvet requires regular pruning to keep it neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only ncessary when the plant has become root-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water your Alocasia reginula thoroughly in spring and summer while allowing the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Maintain the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting and yellowing leaves.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to keep the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting and drooping leaves.
Underwatering will signal dormancy to the plant which may cause the leaves to start dying in readiness for dormancy.
Use chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf edges. Ensure that the water is at room temperature to avoid cold shock which can result in stunted growth and death of the plant.
Alocasia Black Velvet does not like soggy soil as it is prone to fungal infestations like root-rot and leaf spot disease. Therefore, confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent waterlogging.
Light Requirements
Alocasia reginula grows best in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light). Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can cause the leaves to be faded (bleached) and die.
Too little light will signal dormancy to the plant which may cause the leaves to start dying in readiness for dormancy. You may grow Little Queen under grow lights where the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that Little Queen receives light on all sides for even growth to prevent lop-sided growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Alocasia reginula thrives in average warmth of 16-270C. If the temperature goes below 150C, they may cause the plant to drop all its leaves and go into dormancy. Keep it from drafts as it hates sudden changes in temperature to prevent leaf fall.
Alocasia Black Velvet requires high humidity of 60-80% to flourish. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. You may also grow in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen or laundry area.
Do not mist the leaves as the water droplets can spot the leaves as well as promote disease infestations. Maintain good air flow to discourage fungal diseases.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Alocasia reginula should be rich and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Potting mixes designed for Aroids are ideal for this plant.
Fertilizer
Feed your Alocasia reginula with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer for lush growth. Withhold feeding in fall and winter 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.
Repotting
Alocasia reginula 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 2-3 years should be adequate.
Repot into a 1 size larger pot in the beginning of growing season (spring to early summer), only if the roots have grown out through the drainage holes. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Check out these planters with a drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Alocasia reginula involves removal of yellow and diseased leaves as they occur to maintain your 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.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp wiping them with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pests infestation.
Alocasia reginula Propagation
Alocasia reginula is propagated by plant division at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) when in active growth.
Propagating Alocasia Black Velvet by plant division
- Thoroughly water the plant at least one day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment as a well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
- Carefully slip the plant out of 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.
- Select small pots that have a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Ensure the pots are slightly wider than the base of the rhizome sections.
- Fill the pots one thirdway with well-draining soil and moisten it slightly.
- Position each section in the center of the pot and continue to fill with the soil while firming the soil around the base. Maintain the sections at the same depth that they were in the previous pot.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
- Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges after which you can begin routine care.
Alocasia reginula Problems & Remedies
Alocasia Black Velvet problems are yellow leaves, brown leaves, drooping leaves & dying plant, brown leaf tips & edges, loss of leaf color, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Yellow leaves
Some of the causes of yellowing leaves on your Alocasia Black Velvet are dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil and aging. Remove such leaves by snipping them off at the base with a clean sharp knife or a pair of scissors.
How to fix it
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together, use a humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom.
Inconsistent watering: Water only when the top 2 inches of soil dry out. Do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Aging: It is natural for the old leaves to turn yellow and drop as the plant matures.
Brown leaves
The main causes of brown leaves on your Alocasia reginula are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, and temperature stress.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2 inches dry out. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from AC units, drafty windows, heat sources, windy doors among others.
Drooping leaves & plant dying
Alocasia Black Velvet is drooping leaves and dying due to too little light, cold drafts or underwatering. These three reasons signal dormancy for the plant and hence the leaves die in readiness to enter dormancy.
Naturally, this happens during winter when the plant undergoes dormancy. However, even if the foliage may die, the underground rhizome is still alive and can regrow under favorable conditions.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is insufficient.
Cold temperatures: Keep it away from cold drafts to maintain a warmth of 18-270C.
Underwatering: Water when the top 2 inches of soil dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Brown leaf tips & edges
Brown leaf tips & edges on Alocasia reginula are due to dry air, salts buildup or underwatering.
How to fix it
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.
Salts buildup: Flush out the accumulated salts from the soil every 2-3 months by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage holes.
Underwatering: Water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry but not leave the soilball to dry out completely.
Loss of leaf color
Loss of leaf color on Alocasia Black Velvet is due to either too little or too much light.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot and ensure it receives medium to bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is inadequate.
Too much light: Move the plant to a more shaded spot or instal a light curtain to filter the light.
Pests
Common pests on Alocasia reginula are spider mites, mealybugs, scales and aphids.
How to fix it
- Check underneath the leaves regularly for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Seperate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions.
- Regularly damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to discourage the pests.
- Keep the plant well pruned to minimize the hiding and breeding places for these pests.
Diseases
Alocasia reginula is prone to leaf spot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil and overwet conditions. The disease is characterized by dark brown or black leaf spots.
How to fix it
- Remove and burn the affected parts to reduce the risk of spread to the rest of the plants.
- Spray the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure to cover all the parts with the fungicidal solution.
- Keep the plant on the dry side, do not mist it and ensure good air flow.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-drained soil.
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