Although some time ago we told you about the Alocasia dragon, this time we want to talk about another more mystical and less common, the Alocasia silver dragon. 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 it will 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 difficult to find, for a few years they have had it in many stores and it is no longer so rare. Even so, there are still not too many people who have it at home. And that 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 increase in size and develop grooves in addition to changing the color of the sage to a silver one. As for the size of these, it is usually up to 20 centimeters long and 15cm wide.
A peculiarity of this plant is that it is a bulbous plant, which implies that, if due to some problem, it loses the leaves and the stem, even the roots, if the bulb is healthy you could make it sprout again. To do this, you must give it a few weeks to rest, always in a dry and cool place, and then try again.
Of course, it is one of the smallest alocasias that you will find, because it does not exceed 60 centimeters in height.
does it bloom?
If you are wondering if the plant flowers or not, we will tell you that it will depend. In its natural habitat it does succeed, with an inflorescence that has nothing special. In fact, many cut it to prevent the plant from losing energy by throwing the flowers.
Alocasia silver dragon care
You have now learned a little more about Alocasia silver dragon. But you need to know if it is an easy plant to care for or not. In this sense, it is easy, but you have to know very thoroughly the care it needs, otherwise it can die quickly and easily, even the bulb if you do not remedy it.
Thus, the most important care of the plant are the following:
location and temperature
If you want this plant to be good, you have to keep it indoors (since it needs a temperature between 18 and 27ºC. In fact, it does not tolerate drafts or temperatures lower than 10-12ºC or higher than 35ºC ) unless you have a humidifier that you control.
Regarding its location inside the house, always put it where it has indirect light, it does not like direct sun because it is very sensitive and could easily burn its leaves.
Experts recommend that it be placed in a window that faces west or east.
Substratum
For the Alocasia silver dragon it is necessary that the substrate is quite loose. And it is that, although he likes to have moist soil, what he does not want is for it to remain caked.
For this reason, when it comes to changing the substrate (which you will do when you buy it 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 some moisture.
Irrigation and humidity
The Alocasia silver dragon is a plant that likes to have moist soil. But not wet. In fact, if you go too far with watering, you run the risk of the plant ending up rotting, not only the roots, but also the bulb, and there really is no solution.
Therefore, you must make sure that the plant is not too wet, but also not too dry. The sign that can warn you of this are the leaves, which you will see that have brown and crunchy tips.
Depending on the weather, location, etc. the irrigation will be more or less. In spring and summer this 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 should take into account is humidity. For it to be good, the Alocasia silver dragon needs a humidity of between 50-80%. And taking into account that in houses it is usually around 30%, it is the reason why many perish. Therefore, you should place it next to a humidifier, or put a tray with water and pebbles.
Besides, from time to time it won’t hurt to spray the leaves, but be careful, because sometimes the moisture stays in the grooves of the leaves and causes them to rot.
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During the spring and summer it is good that you fertilize it a little, if possible with a product rich in calcium, manganese and magnesium. Of course, only use half the dose that the manufacturer puts.
Apply it once a month until temperatures start to drop.
Plagues and diseases
We could tell you no, that it is resistant to pests. 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.
Fortunately, 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 it 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 excess watering.
Now it’s up to you if you want to have a plant like Alocasia silver dragon, the closest plant to dragons that is known for now. You dare?
