Alocasia crops are a number of the hottest opponents with pothos relating to houseplants.
Their massive, heart-shaped leaves have earned the whole genus the nickname “elephant ears plant.”
However one of many extra compact Alocasia varieties from Borneo has created fairly a stir, even amongst alocasia followers: Alocasia cuprea (a-loh-KAY-see-uh KUP-ray-uh).
Identified mostly by its scientific title or jewel alocasia, this perennial member of the Araceae household has many aliases, together with:
- Elephant Ear
- Copper Leaf Alocasia
- Big Caladium
- Metallic Elephant Ear
- Mirror Plant
Cuprea can also be known as crimson secret, which occurs to be the title of a cultivar.
Alocasia Cuprea Care
Cuprea is smaller than lots of its siblings, usually attaining a top of only one′ foot and by no means passing 2′ toes, even in perfect situations.
It’s a sluggish grower, requiring between 5 and eight years to achieve its most top.
The leaves, in the meantime, are massive and heart-shaped, measuring wherever from 8 to 24″ inches in size.
The title “cuprea” refers back to the coppery tint of this plant’s leaves, a shiny, virtually plastic vivid inexperienced with lighter veins and a reddish underside.
Flowering and Perfume
As with all alocasias, the flowers are small and simply missed.
They’ve a small white to inexperienced spathe, and the spadix bears its small blooms for less than about 3 days earlier than fading, often in late spring to early summer season.
Oddly sufficient, this plant generally flowers as an indication of misery because of things like root rot, sudden environmental modifications, or overwatering.
Mild & Temperature
This Alocasia prefers reasonable gentle however can be OK with vivid, oblique gentle or morning publicity.
Attempt to keep away from direct daylight, particularly throughout noon, because the leaves are simply scorched.
Out of doors crops would profit from the dappled daylight offered by a close-by tree.
Jewel alocasia likes increased humidity, thriving most at 80 to 90% p.c, however will tolerate a extra reasonable humidity of 40 to 50% p.c.
Make sure to complement your Alocasia with a pebble tray or humidifier if it’s not grouped with different crops.
Outdoor, Cuprea will solely develop in USDA hardiness zones 10-11 and a few sheltered components of zone 9b.
It’s chilly illiberal and may die if uncovered to temperatures under 50° levels Fahrenheit.
If in a container, it may be taken outdoor in heat climate however must be introduced in if the temperature drops under 60° levels Fahrenheit.
The best indoor temperature vary is 60 to 85° levels Fahrenheit, however it is going to tolerate as little as 54° levels Fahrenheit if there’s no publicity to drafts.
Watering and Feeding
Use the finger check to examine the soil’s dryness.
Your cuprea will want watering when the soil has dried round 2″ to three″ inches from the floor.
Use distilled water (generally known as child water) or pure rainwater, all the time at room temperature.
Pour the water slowly, working your manner across the pot, so the soil will get even watering.
Cease if you start to see water seeping out of the drainage holes.
Reduce within the fall and winter and cease watering throughout this time if you happen to’re rising the plant outdoor.
Use a balanced ½ energy liquid fertilizer, utilized in response to the directions on the package deal.
frequency is as soon as per 30 days all through the rising season, stopping from mid-fall by means of winter.
Soil & Transplanting
Root rot is a significant concern with alocasias, so you’ll want to give it wealthy, well-drained soil.
Go together with a top quality model of potting combine for succulents or tropical crops.
Alternatively, you may maintain the plant in an equal mixture of coconut coir and perlite.
Coco coir is a nutrient-rich materials product of coconut fibers that, not like peat moss, received’t retain numerous water.
In the meantime, perlite is mined volcanic rock that’s extraordinarily porous.
It will possibly retain 3 times its weight in water, releasing it slowly again into the soil.
Each supplies have a impartial pH and received’t compact too closely over time, so your plant’s roots will all the time have room to stretch out.
You’ll need to repot your Alocasia each 2 years within the spring.
If the plant appears a bit crowded, you may select a container one measurement bigger than its present one.
Attempt to not give it a container that’s too large, as this may make the soil moisture uneven.
Additionally, you need to all the time give the plant recent soil when repotting to revive the vitamins.
Grooming And Upkeep
This plant appreciates a little bit of pampering however shouldn’t be usually demanding.
Search for yellowed, broken, or dying leaves and make a clear minimize with sharp, sterile shears under the discoloration.
Make sure to sterilize between every minimize, because the discoloration could also be an indication of an infection.
Jagged or uneven cuts may end up in a shock to the plant, so attempt to make every minimize in a single clip.
Different Well-liked Alocasias To Develop and Accumulate
Propagating Alocasia Cuprea Plant
Not like most of your crops, stem cuttings will not be a viable technique of Alocasia propagation.
As a substitute, you have to to make use of both division or offshoots from the mom plant.
Regardless of its susceptibility to root rot, it’s attainable to propagate this plant in water.
Cuprea Elephant Ear Pests or Illnesses
Alocasia cuprea is susceptible to each drought and chilly, having zero frost tolerance.
Though fungus gnats and thrips might also grow to be an issue, aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites are the principle enemies of this species.
In the meantime, extra water can result in root rot the first menace to Cuprea Alocasia.
They’ll additionally endure from botrytis, leaf-spot, powdery mildew (often because of an infestation), rust, and southern blight.
Like all members of the Araceae household, this plant incorporates calcium oxalate crystals, a substance recognized to trigger kidney stones.
All planets containing these crystals are thought-about poisonous to people and pets and should irritate the mouth or trigger digestive points if ingested.
Alocasia Cuprea Makes use of
The extra compact measurement of this plant makes it good for centerpieces, tables, or patios.
The crimson undersides can add an additional accent if positioned on a raised space, corresponding to cabinets.