Alocasia Frydek “micholitziana” called Alocasia Green Velvet, is an exquisite kind of Alocasia that has seen a massive increase in popularity in the past few years. As with other Alocasias, maintaining it at good is a bit of an uphill task. This article will explain everything you should know about Frydek maintenance to keep it looking good.
To provide excellent Alocasia Frydek care, provide ample indirect lighting, high humidity, and a well-drained potting mix that remains moist but not too wet. Maintain the temperature of your Alocasia Frydek in temperatures of 65degF (18degC) to 85degF (29degC), and fertilize every month as it grows.
This article will examine every aspect of Alocasia Frydek’s care and provide tips on handling all the typical issues. Let’s begin with more information about the fundamental elements of treatment.
Alocasia Frydek Care Summary
Table of Contents
| Scientific Name | Alocasia micholitziana ‘Frydek’ |
| Common Name | Alocasia Frydek, Green Velvet Alocasia |
| Origin | The Philippines |
| Light Requirements | Bright indirect light. Beware of more than one hour from direct light. |
| Watering | The water should be drained once the top 2 inches of soil are dry. The amount of water used varies throughout all seasons, which is why it’s important to it is important to monitor the plant rather than keeping a watering schedule. |
| Soil | It is well-drained, but also fertile. I suggest a mixture of 60% peat, 30 perlite and 10 percent compost or worm casts. Below are the excellent mix of alocasia soil that is already prepared. |
| Temperature | They thrive in temperatures ranging from 65°F (18degC) up to 85degF (29degC). Do not lower temperatures to 60degF (16degC) since this may induce dormancy. |
| Fertilizer | Alocasia Frydek benefits from regular fertilizer, while also expanding. I apply an optimum water-soluble fertilizer each month. |
| Humidity | Keep the humidity at or above 50 percent. Leaves may turn brown at the edges or tips if humidity is too low. |
| Flowering | Rarely indoors. Produces a dull white/cream spadix, with an emerald green spathe. |
| Pruning | Prune old leaves however, other than that, no pruning required. |
| Propagation | Propagate through the division of plants larger in the spring and the beginning of summer. |
| Re-Potting | Only repot when there are indications that they are rootbound. Better in smaller pots Be careful not to increase the size of your pot by a large amount when you repot. |
| Diseases and Pests | Root rot is a risk because of water problems. Sap sucking insects can be attracted by Alocasia Frydek. |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets and humans when inhaled. |
| Where To Buy | Purchase Alocasia Frydek online at Etsy (I purchase the majority of my houseplants on Etsy). |
Alocasia Frydek Light Requirements
Alocasia Frydek does best in bright, indirect light. It can be very sensitive to light and could be affected if it receives too much or is not getting enough light. Make sure to place your Alocasia Frydek within your home where the light is sufficient to cast shadows but away from direct sunlight.
A prolonged period of more than 1-2 hours in direct sunlight each day will typically result in scorching leaves and brown tips or edges of the leaves. Since the beauty of leaves is the primary draw, I recommend keeping an Alocasia Frydek entirely out of direct sunlight.
Without sufficient lighting, Alocasia Frydek will grow extremely slowly and take an extended time to develop new leaves. Alocasias also tend to have the lower leaves change color as they age, meaning plants that aren’t developing enough may soon appear weak and sluggish. Alocasias are also more susceptible to excessive sunlight water as the soil is slower to dry.
Looking for other articles on our plant guides, then check this out
- Why is My Zebra Plant Leaves Turning Brown?
- cobra fern plant care guide
- Pothos Plant Care
- Why is my asparagus fern yellowing?
- Why Are My Caladium Leaves Curling?
Alocasia Frydek Watering
Alocasias are among the most challenging plants to maintain the right amount of water. They are characterized by strong, water-storing petioles and stems that give them some succulent characteristics; however, they cannot endure drought in any way. They are also prone to excessive watering, and the best way to prevent this is to keep the soil wet without letting it become soggy or dry out.
In the spring and summer, I recommend that you soak the soil thoroughly after the top 1 or 2 inches of soil seems dry. Be sure to allow the excess water completely drain away to ensure that your roots aren’t sitting in the wet soil.
Alocasia Frydek’s care can be complex due to their vulnerability to overwatering and underwatering. You could do some things to avoid the most common issues.
- Don’t overpot. Choose a pot sufficient to accommodate the plant, but not more. This will allow the soil to dry faster and lessen the possibility of overwatering.
- Ensure the pot has sufficient drainage holes to let any excess water go out quickly.
- Make sure to use a well-drained potting mix. Mixing 60% peat, 30 percent perlite, and 10 percent compost is a great mix that I have found to work well. There are many alternatives. Learn more about selecting and making pots here.
- Examine your plant every few days for signs that it needs to be kept hydrated. Verify the soil’s moisture level and the pot’s weight, and look for indications of water loss or overflow. Ensure to water the plant when required but not according to a set schedule.
Alocasias grows more slowly during winter and might be in a state of rest. In these seasons, the amount of water they require is reduced significantly. If you notice that growth is slowing or the soil remains wet longer following every watering, you might be tempted to change towards “sip watering” for a couple of months.
Instead of watering the soil each time the plant needs to be watered, adding a tiny quantity of water is better. This will supply enough water to the plant and prevent it from sitting in soggy soil.
This isn’t the best method of watering houseplants because it can lead to the accumulation of salts in the soil, which would otherwise be removed by careful irrigation.
You’ll need to watch your Alocasia Frydek very closely to know the right time to water it, to reduce the risk of drowning and overwatering.
Choosing Soil For Alocasia Frydek
Alocasia Frydek does best in the potting mix that drains well yet can hold in some moisture, which helps keep the soil well-watered all the time. It also benefits from organic matter, as its nutritional requirements exceed those of other houseplants.
I prefer an equal mixture of 60% peat, 30% perlite, and 10 percent compost or worm casts. If your soil is similar to this mixture, you can make several combinations of soils.
Certain people opt to stay clear of peat-based potting mixes due to concerns about sustainability. I usually make use of coconut coir as an alternative. However, it is possible to learn more about other options on this page.
Temperature
Alocasia is used to growing in the understorey of tropical forests, which is why temperature ranges between 65degF (18degC) to 85degF (29degC) are perfect. Fortunately, this is in line with the temperature in our homes well.
It is important to avoid temperatures lower than 60 degrees (16degC) since this may cause dormancy. This can cause Alocasia Frydek to die back significantly; however, it will be able to recover when the conditions for growth become more favorable.
The most significant temperature issue with Alocasia Frydek’s care is hot and cold drafts. Windows that leak in winter or cooling or heating vents close to your plant can create major problems. Lower leaves may become yellow as they die, and the entire plant falls. You may want to consider changing your plant’s location to a protected area when your plant is struggling, despite meeting all other needs.
Fertilizing Alocasia Frydek
Alocasia Frydek needs more fertilizer than most houseplants. I usually apply a quick-acting water-soluble fertilizer every 3-4 weeks when the plant is fully grown. I apply a general-purpose, balanced fertilizer 20-20-20 that is dissolved in water with only half the recommended strength.
If you’re using a specific formulation for plants in your home, you may use it according to the directions. Many fertilizers are appropriate with Alocasia Frydek, but a balanced formulation or one with more nitrogen than phosphorus or potassium will likely yield more favorable outcomes.
Certain people prefer using organic fertilizers like compost or worm castings, and they can be excellent alternatives, but it’s challenging to determine what amount to include.
The most important aspect is to provide enough nutrients to the Alocasia Frydek without overdoing it and causing signs and symptoms of nutrient toxicity.
Alocasia Frydek Humidity
Alocasia Frydek will benefit greatly when it is kept in higher humidity levels. If you maintain humidity levels at or above 50%, your plant shouldn’t have any problems.
At lower humidity levels, it is possible to notice brown-edged leaves and tips of brown. Because the gorgeous foliage is the primary draw for Alocasia Frydek, keeping humidity levels at a high level is essential.
I strongly suggest getting a digital hygrometer which is quite affordable. I have several in my house, and they permit me to know at a glance the current humidity levels, along with the minimum and maximum humidity since the hygrometer’s last reset.
If your home’s humidity is less than 50%, you should apply the below methods to boost it.
- Place your houseplants in a group. The greater transpiration of the foliage will raise the local humidity levels.
- Set the Alocasia Frydek on a humidity tray. You will require an ample tray with small pebbles scattered around the bottom. Place the container of the Alocasia Frydek on the pebbles and then fill the tray, bringing it to a level just below the top of the pebbles. So the plant pot won’t be submerged in water. When the water in the tray of humidity evaporates, the humidity in the vicinity of you, Alocasia Frydek, will increase.
- Make use of an electric humidifier to increase the humidity levels. A lot of them can monitor and maintain a particular humidity level. However, it is necessary to replenish the reservoir of water periodically.
Alocasia Frydek Pruning
Alocasia Frydek’s care comes with the minimum pruning needs. Lesser leaves in Alocasia Frydek will eventually turn brown, shrink and then droop. It is a natural process; as long as it produces new leaves more quickly than it loses its old ones, everything is good.
You can trim dead lower leaves as needed to keep the Alocasia Frydek looking gorgeous.
Alocasia Frydek Propagation
The most efficient method to propagate Alocasia Frydek is by division of larger plants. This should be done in the spring or the beginning of summer, the time when the plant is growing rapidly.
Alocasia Frydek is quite a fragile planet, so attempting to propagate larger, healthy plants is recommended.
- Remove Your Alocasia Frydek from its pot. The pot can be squeezed gently to free it, and then try to lift it out from the pot.
- Take out any excess soil from the area around the roots. This will allow you to see the most effective place to separate the Alocasia Frydek.
- Alocasia Frydek has a clumping growth pattern. The rhizome can produce a new stem out of the rhizome, which can be separated.
- Make sure to gently pull the rhizome in as many ways as possible, then employ a sharp blade to cut the rhizome and split the plant.
- Each division is planted separately in a moist potting mix, as discussed in the article. It is essential to keep the soil damp and provide adequate lighting to ensure that the newly separated plants are not subject to excessive stress.
Repotting
Alocasia Frydek does best in a small pot about the dimensions of the plant. It is generally recommended not to plant it in a new pot until you see evidence that it is becoming rootbound.
This could be a sign of roots growing out of the container’s base, growing down despite the best maintenance, or the soil rapidly drying out after irrigation.
If you are repotting, select an appropriate pot one inch bigger than the pot you used. Check the roots for indications of issues. If the roots are damaged or diseased, they must be taken care of.
Before placing the Alocasia Frydek in its new pot, gently scrape the excess dirt from your roots. Then gently loosen the roots when they are tightly packed.
I typically prefer to I usually water my Alocasias about a week before I intend to plant them again. This helps ensure the plant is healthy and makes the soil and the roots more manageable.
After repotting, I prefer to water the plants only very gently. Sometimes, the roots need a few weeks to return to normal after repotting. Also, watering often can increase the likelihood of root rot forming.
Diseases
The most significant illnesses to be aware of are those that result from excessive watering. The most prevalent problems are bacterial leaf spot, crown, and root rot. However, all of them can be avoided by making sure the pot you choose and soil and watering methods are appropriate.
If you believe you’re Alocasia Frydek could be suffering from some disease, read my article on common houseplant illnesses to learn what the disease is and how to manage it.
Pests
Sap-sucking insects quite often complicate Alocasia Frydek’s care. Thrips and mealybugs, as well as spider mites, scales, and aphids, seem to be awed by Alocasias.
Make sure you take precautions when bringing the newly purchased Alocasia Frydek home to ensure that it’s not a breeding ground for insects. I recommend keeping your plant from other plants for a week to make sure that no pests are brought home in your plant.
Start by looking at the top and bottom of your leaves every couple of days to look for signs of insects. Being aware of the pests early can make treating pests and preventing damage to your plants simpler.
Toxicity
Alocasia Frydek is moderately toxic to pets and human ingestion. The plant’s tissues contain calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the local area. Ingestion can cause pain and swelling in the mouth and digestive tract.
If you have young pets or children, it is recommended for you to secure your Alocasia Frydek away from the reach of children or pets.
Alocasia Frydek may also cause skin irritation to those who are touched. It is recommended to wear gloves when working with this plant, especially for those who have sensitive skin.
Why Is My Alocasia Frydek Drooping?
Alocasia Frydek can be prone to drooping due to a range of factors. The root is rotted by excessive water, and underwatering that causes Wilting is among the most frequent causes of Alocasia Frydek dropping. Other causes include stress from temperature transplant stress, diseases, pests, or over-use of fertilizer.
If you notice your Alocasia Frydek falling and sagging, you must adopt a systematic approach to finding the cause. Examine each aspect of treatment in turn to find the issue. The treatment depends on what the issue is.
Why Are The Leaves On My Alocasia Frydek Turning Yellow?
The yellowing of leaves that appear yellow on Alocasia Frydek is often due to excessive watering, and it tends to begin with the upper leaves initially. Insufficient direct light can cause the leaves to get lighter and yellow, typically with a scattered distribution. There may be the tips becoming crispy and brown, as well as the edges of the leaves.
Other causes of stress could cause yellowing of leaves, including the toxicity of nutrients due to over fertilizer usage, drafts, or even temperature stress. In some instances, if the Alocasia Frydek is generally unhappy, its lower leaves are likely to change color more quickly than it produces healthy, new leaves.
This is a significant signal that something is not right. This should cause you to examine the conditions of care for Alocasia Frydek and determine what adjustments are needed.
Check out more Guide Below
