The Alocasia Silver Dragon is a very rare plant. The leaves of these plants are highly sought after because of their silvery green color, dark green veins, and scaly appearance and feel.
The silver dragon Alocasia is becoming more in demand, although it is still difficult to find.
The plant is sold by a small number of specialty nurseries and online retailers; nevertheless, there may be a waitlist for purchasing one, and the high cost reflects the plant’s scarcity and the rising desire for it.
Keep reading to find out more!
What Does the Alocasia Silver Dragon Look Like?
The Alocasia silver dragon (Alocasia baginda), also called ‘Jewel Alocasias’ and ‘Elephant Ear Silver Dragon,’ is one of the rare and unusual species of the Araceae family of plants.
There are at least 97 different species of the genus Alocasia, all of which are perennial herbs with large leaves and rhizomes or tubers.
They thrive abundantly in the soil of tropical rain forests, which are their natural habitat on Borneo and in some parts of subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.
The plant can reach a height of 1.6 feet, and its broad, silvery leaves can go as long as 6 inches and as wide as 3 inches.
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What are the Requirements For the Alocasia Silver Dragon Care?
- Water:
If you have an Alocasia silver dragon, make sure the soil around it doesn’t dry out completely. It is best to let the top few inches of soil dry up before giving your plant a good soaking.
Don’t stress if you forget once in a while, though. You may see the leaves twisting slightly rather than falling off, as this Alocasia type is more drought-resistant than others.
If you have a pot with good drainage holes, try watering your silver dragon from the bottom.
Put your plant in a dish of water and let it sit there for around 15 minutes. The pot should be returned to its preferred location when the surplus water has been drained.
- Fertilizer:
Alocasias thrive when fertilized every other month. This foliage plant does best with high-nitrogen fertilizers applied during the growing season.
In addition to nitrogen fertilizers, bone meal fertilizers can be used to simulate the calcium-rich soils found on their home island of Borneo. Calcium promotes cell proliferation, which helps plants withstand disease and strengthen their structures.
Avoid using inexpensive fertilizers, as they can build up in the soil and produce crystals that could be damaging to your plants.
- Light:
These plants thrive in the dappled light of the rainforest floor in their natural habitat. Provide bright, indirect light for your Alocasia silver dragon at home.
Overexposure to sunshine can cause leaf scorch, while prolonged periods of shadow hinder the plant’s development. To promote uniform leaf development, rotate your plant often.
- Temperature:
A warm, humid climate is ideal for the Silver Dragon. Therefore, the ideal conditions for their growth are between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (13 and 27 degrees Celsius).
However, the plant can also endure high temperatures up to 95 °F, provided that they are consistently watered and protected from direct sunshine.
What are the Common Problems of the Alocasia Silver Dragon?
- Yellowing Of Leaves:
These plants are finicky about having just the proper amount of water. Root rot can occur in plants if you overwater them or if the potting mix doesn’t allow enough water to drain away.
The leaves turning yellow is an early indicator of this.
- Curling of Leaves:
The most prevalent causes of curled leaves are underwatering and a lack of humidity. Avoid letting your potting mix dry out completely, and think about using a humidifier, pebble trays with water, or even a steamy bathroom position.
- Dropping of Leaves:
During the inactive seasons of fall and winter, it’s normal for a few mature leaves to fall off.
Those beautiful, healthy-looking leaves won’t stay on your plant if you don’t provide them with a tropical jungle atmosphere during the growing season.
Keep in mind that they require evenly distributed moisture, high humidity, and dappled light.
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What are the Common Pests of the Alocasia Silver Dragon?
- Spider Mites:
The spider mite is said to cause problems for Alocasia plants. They feed on plants, leaving behind holes and patches on the leaves that bacteria and fungi can use to invade.
Maintaining a relative humidity of 70% or above will reduce pest activity. Use only natural methods if the infection persists. Once a week for two to three weeks, apply neem oil to the plant.
- Leaf Edema:
Diseased leaves will have water-soaked spots that are easy to spot. Overwatering, as you might expect, is the primary cause.
Carefully uproot the plant and replace it with one that prefers a more sandy, aerated soil when this symptom appears. Keep in mind the above-mentioned watering schedule.
- Root Rot:
The most noticeable signs of root rot are the sudden wilting and drooping of the leaves. Overwatering and clayey media may also play a role in this. The only way to be sure is to pull the entire plant out of the ground.
In the event that the root system is brown and mushy, there is nothing that can be done.
Check to see if any of the baby plants can be rescued by repotting them into a more suitable medium. Roots that are white and solid indicate a healthy plant.
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Conclusion
Plants that become yellow could be suffering from salt accumulation from poor fertilization practices or soil diseases brought on by overwatering.
Alocasias are rapid growers; even though their leaves fall off frequently, they develop new ones just as quickly.
During the summer, planting your plant in an area that receives a lot of indirect bright light can encourage it to actively push out new leaves and produce larger ones. Thank you for reading!
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