🌿 Alocasia

Use an aerated, draining but moisture-retaining aroid mix, rather than a heavy or purely cactus/succulent substrate. A good mix is a coco-coir or peat-based potting soil, cut with orchid bark and perlite/ponce (possibly a little horticultural charcoal) to keep the roots oxygenated. The medium should retain a certain amount of moisture, but never be soggy; avoid compact, waterlogging soils. Use a pot with drainage holes and repot only when the roots are well established, refreshing the mixture to maintain porosity.

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' is generally propagated vegetatively (divisions, cuttings or corms) rather than by seed; seedlings may not be true to the cultivar and seed is rarely available. Planting corms or offsets (recommended): - Separate offsets or corms from the mother plant during active growth (spring-summer), keeping as many roots as possible. - Pot in a small container with a sterile, aerated, well-draining medium (e.g. fine bark/coco chips + perlite + peat/coco coir). Ensure good drainage. - Plant the corms shallowly, with the growing point upwards; cover them lightly (approx. 1-2 cm) and tamp gently. - Maintain regular, but never soggy, humidity; high humidity and warmth (around 22-28°C) accelerate rooting and germination. - Provide bright, indirect light; avoid direct sunlight until the plant is established. Sowing seeds (if applicable): - Use fresh seed; sow immediately in a sterile, well-draining seed mixture. - Sow on the surface or barely cover with a very thin layer of mix or sand. - Maintain constant humidity (humidity blanket or dome) and warm temperatures; keep the environment moist, but not soggy. - Ensure bright, indirect light and light air renewal to reduce seedling damping-off.

Fertilize only during the active growth period (spring to summer). Apply a complete, balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer (e.g. 10-10-10 or similar) diluted to half the dose approximately every 4 to 6 weeks; plants that feed a lot can be fed more lightly but more often. Feed on already moist potting soil to reduce root burn, and periodically rinse the pot with clear water to limit salt build-up. Reduce or stop fertilization in autumn, and do not fertilize in winter when growth slows.

Pruning is minimal. Remove yellowed, damaged or diseased leaves by cleanly cutting the petiole at the base (near the soil line) using sterile scissors/knives; avoid tearing the stem/corm. Exhausted inflorescences can be removed in the same way once they have faded, to redirect energy to the foliage. Do not "shape" prune or remove several healthy leaves at a time, as Alocasia depends on its leaf canopy for growth; instead, thin out only what is needed for sanitation and air circulation. Wear gloves and avoid contact with sap (which can irritate skin and eyes), and disinfect tools between cuts to reduce the spread of disease.