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Sunday, July 26, 2020

Alocasia Baginda 'Silver Dragon'


In comparison to all the Alocasia species listed, this particular one is considered a Jewel.
It is not a hardy plant and may easily succumb and rot away if overwatered - the succulent features of these plant - where the leaves are very much have a hard texture almost like a shield - a leather thick foliage.

These have a silvery-white heart shaped foliage with darker ribbed venation sunken deep inside the leaf surface. Similar to Alocasia reginula 'Black Velvet' but this is a reverse version of it.



I had challenges with this one.
Killed if few times - got it right for many months and still end up killing it as I took it for granted.
This one is similar behavior with Caladium - always in the balance of everything - not too much of everything.

Lighting:
Not too hot that will jade or burn the foliage and not too shaded that the leaves will start to turn yellow and wither away - a bright shade is the most ideal thing for this one.

Medium:

I often find this one grown and cultivated inside a cocopeat and end up killing it when overwatering it. And thus removing the access cocopeat and mix the medium 50% cocopeat with 50% sand to create the fast draining factor for watering purpose. 

Alternatively I also used coconut husk trimmed into small chips, mixture of perlite and sphagnum moss - similar medium that I used for Begonias & Anthuriums, something that I find that it holds the mature but doesn't create a soggy nature which leads to root rot.

Watering:
Overwatering is the main reason why this plant dies - do be very concern about this matter.

Feeding:
I find this is the most important factor - without proper feeding this plant will slowly will loose it leaves - one in a week and eventually goes dormant. It does however have a corm (bulb) that is very important to consider not to overwater it to cause it to go rotting inside the soil. Thus - proper care is required that it won't go dormant and totally lost.
Though - it may go dormant - do make sure it doesn't rot away.

Also I had found with my research the best fertilizer that works for this one is root hormone known as B1 and osmocote fertilizers. I believe seaweed solution too works best. The most important factor is getting the right balance and very much fall in the trial and error factors - it is somehow not a easy plant to cultivate but truly a rewarding one.


Other Matters:
If you find that each leaves is turning yellow day by day - check on the roots, best remove the whole plant as there may be a root rot involved. Do trim and remove the rotting part of the root structure and let it dry out for few days.
You may able to save the plant before it is too late.



Photo Credit:
Benjamin Kam
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam




I finally managed to get this one sold in Sg. Buloh nursery. It is slightly overpriced when I got it before the marked up took place. I would consider this one is a bit rare and not easily available as common plants in most nurseries. 


I'm surprised to say that this one is very stable and easy to grow also in comparison to most other Jewel Alocasia - almost similar to the Black Velvet characteristics. I hope it last longer and produce more pups in my hands.







Other matters concerning the Care & Cultivation Methods on Watering, Medium and Pruning

Do refer to the link below:
Introduction to Jewel Alocasia

Do click to the Link Below 
To check on the Main Page Concerning Different Types of Jewel Alocasia:


2 comments:

Unknown said...
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Apple said...

Hi James, do you mind if I ask where I can purchase this, or if you're willing to sell me just one? :) I've been searching high and low for a long time.

Thanks
Apple

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Tropical Garden, Batu Caves, Malaysia
My Malaysian Tropical Garden mainly focused on unique and colorful plants ranging from rare to common plants all around the tropical belt across the world. Ideal for inspiration for challenging areas in the garden space - indoor gardening, balcony gardening and small green spaces especially for ariods, bromeliads, begonias, edibles, cascading & vertical garden plants, succulents & cacti, orchids, together with both shade and sun loving plants.

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