Cultivation methods and precautions of peacock arrowroot

Soil selection

Loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic loam rich in humus is suitable for peacock alocasia potting. It can usually be mixed with 3 parts of leaf mold, 1 part of peat or sawdust, and 1 part of sand, and a small amount of bean cake can be added as base fertilizer. Avoid using heavy garden soil. When potting, first put a 3 cm thick layer of coarse sand on the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer to facilitate drainage.

Water requirements

Sufficient water should be given during the growing period, especially in summer and autumn. In addition to keeping the soil in the pot moist, you should also spray water on the leaves frequently to cool down and retain moisture. It requires a higher air humidity, preferably 70% to 80%. Avoid dry air and dry soil in the pot, but do not allow water to accumulate. Water should be controlled after late autumn to help the plant resist the cold and survive the winter. Maintain a dry environment in winter. If it is too humid, the base leaves will turn yellow and burn, affecting its ornamental value.

Lighting requirements

During the growing season from May to September, it should be placed in a shaded or semi-shaded place, maintain a light transmittance of 40%-60%, and avoid direct sunlight. Too strong light or dry air can easily cause the leaf edges and tips to burn, and the leaf patterns to become dull and lifeless. However, the light should not be too weak. If it is placed in a dark room for a long time, the temperature is low and the light is insufficient, it will also grow weak, which is not conducive to the formation of leaf color and loses the unique metallic luster of the leaves. Direct sunlight through glass is acceptable in winter.

Fertilization requirements

When the peacock plant lacks fertilizer, the plant will be obviously shorter, the leaves will be dull in color, and the golden luster will not be bright. Apply thin liquid fertilizer once every 20 days during the growing season. The ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium should be 2:1:1, which can make the leaves shiny and bright. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer proportion. For example, spray 0.2% liquid fertilizer directly on the leaves every 10 days, which is extremely beneficial for germination and growth. Stop rotating fertilizer in winter and summer.

Precautions

The roots of the peacock plant are shallow, so it is advisable to use a large shallow pot. This will not affect the growth of the roots, and the leaves will unfold during the day without appearing top-heavy. The potting soil should be loose, breathable, well-drained, nutrient-rich and slightly acidic.

The peacock plant is usually repotted when it is divided in spring, and it should be repotted every 1 to 2 years. When repotting, new culture soil must be added, and the remaining roots and leaves must be cut off and replanted to facilitate growth.

Peacock plant has fewer diseases and pests, but if ventilation is poor and the air is dry, scale insects may cause damage. Use imidacloprid series drugs to spray for prevention and control.