Everyone loves a beautiful flower, but the same cannot be said about loving a leaf. A leaf may be attractive, stunning, even gorgeous – but not everyone sees it. It’s all about that adage of beauty being in the eye of the beholder.
To grow a healthy Alocasia Regal Shield you need to know its requirements, such as, soil, watering, lighting, temperature, humidity, moisture content, fertilizer, re-potting, pests and diseases, right location, grooming and pruning. Take care with the above and you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent looking, strong, and stately, healthy plant.
Care Tips To Grow A Healthy Alocasia Regal Shield
If you want your Alocasia Regal Shield to grow with you for several years into the future, it needs to be a healthy plant. Therefore, these care instructions and tips are helpful to develop and maintain these plants – keeping them healthy and strong.
Soil To Grow a Healthy Alocasia Regal Shield
The Alocasia Regal Shield thrives in rich, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil. You can use a potting mix including peat and perlite indoors and moisture-retentive ground with active earthworms.
This is perfect for the care of the Alocasia Regal Shield plant. Its roots need to get oxygen, or they will rot and die.
Thus, the Alocasia Regal Shield prefers an ideal soil pH level of 5.5 – 7.0.
Afterward, you can adjust the pH by adding some sulfur or rich, well-drained sand to balance the lime in the soil so it can be used more effectively.
Having suitable soil is the foundation for growing healthy for the Alocasia Regal Shields.
Watering To Grow a Healthy Alocasia Regal Shield
To care for an Alocasia Regal Shield requires moist but not soggy soil. A good idea is to slowly hydrate the plant to let the water spread into roots evenly and gradually.
Always keep this Elephant Ear plant well-watered and prevent it from drying out.
Generally, Alocasia Regal Shields need less water but constant moisture. They still thrive but avoid drying them out and allow the soil to (almost) dry between waterings.
Be sure to maintain the consistency of watering to avoid disaster. Too much water will drown them, and too little water will probably speed them to a dry death.
Using a pot or container with adequate drainage holes makes the watering more convenient for the excess water to drain quickly and easily.
Thoroughly wet the soil, and the water can drain out at the bottom of the container. Continue to provide them with water which is essential for their growth.
The Alocasia Regal Shield plant prefers soil that is constantly moist to thrive. The large and broad leaves need regular watering to stay fresh and green.
So, that is highly recommended, and the reason why you should water this plant every other day is to ensure its healthy growth.
In such a way, especially during summer, adjust and maintain the watering frequency. However, during winters, you must water them once a week.
Lighting To Grow a Healthy Alocasia Regal Shield
Most gardeners recommend that Alocasia Regal Shield ideally requires 70 to 85% of sunlight but never direct sunlight. They thrive and grow best in dappled light conditions.
When you want to grow Alocasia Regal Shield outdoors, then a 40% shade would be ideal. This plant does not do well in the dark and needs good lighting inside the house.
Whenever you want to grow your Alocasia Regal Shields indoors, you’re likely to place them in a large room. An open window facing the east or west spot is good. Place them behind the sheer drapes so that sunlight is well filtered.
It tends to grow and thrive in the direction of light. Always remember to keep rotating the pot or container on a weekly basis for well-rounded growth.
Always keep checking on the leaves in case they ever get dull, the plant has experienced slow growth, especially in too little light. It is essential to understand the lighting needs of your Alocasia Regal Shield.
Temperature To Grow a Healthy Alocasia Regal Shield
The suggested ideal daytime temperatures of an Alocasia Regal Shield are around 25°C (77°F) and night temperatures not lower than 16°C (60°F).
These are perfect if you are planning to grow them like a tropical evergreen because they like a warm environment and thrive well in this kind of weather.
The Alocasia Regal Shields become dull and slow in growing with prolonged exposure to temperatures below 60°F (16°C), and they may even lose their leaves.
Humidity To Grow a Healthy Alocasia Regal Shield
It is known that Alocasia Regal Shields are tropical plants. They thrive in humid conditions – the optimal humidity level for this plant is 80%. You will grow them in high humidity from medium to high.
If you decide to try growing them indoors in heated rooms under dry conditions, don’t be surprised to find leaf edges going crisp.
Constant Moist Condition To Grow a Healthy Alocasia Regal Shield
To keep your indoor Alocasia Regal Shields moist, you can use and install humidifiers, mist your plant them, add pebbles, and sponge off the leaves with a wet cloth to keep the plant hydrated. Be sure they stay hydrated always.
This could also help to maintain its moisture by placing the Alocasia Regal Shield in a group with other houseplants. All the house plants would transpire and increase humidity naturally.
You may also place the pot over a pebble tray as we all know that water will evaporate from the rocks and the moisture will be collected around the leaves.
However, be sure the water level does not reach the drainage hole, or else your plant can get root rot quickly.
Fertilizer To Grow a Healthy Alocasia Regal Shield
Part of the care requirements for Alocasia Regal Shields is rich soil which is essential for their growth. They will benefit from the rich soil.
It is necessary to feed them once a week and add a small amount of compost.
This plant also requires a great deal of potassium and nitrogen, and they are heavy feeders. Therefore, feeding the plant is essential, particularly for mature plants otherwise, you won’t see them grow into that luxurious size.
In the first place, make the soil mix rich in organic nutrients with good quality sterile compost, animal dung manure, or any balanced organic manure.
You can also apply a diluted liquid fertilizer that is best for Alocasia Regal Shield. There are organic fertilizers that are good to use.
It is essential in maintaining this routine and must be observed during the growing season in springtime through early fall.
Just a reminder, don’t use cheap fertilizers. This results in a salt build-up in the soil that could kill your plant. Eventually, after the fertilization, be sure to water the plant deeply on that day.
Repotting To Grow a Healthy Alocasia Regal Shield
Potting-on for an Alocasia Regal Shield is one of the best maintenance moves there is to keep it healthy. Potting them into another, larger pot will most likely help the roots breathe. It provides the plant with a certain amount of stability.
Always use a pot with good drainage—adequate holes at the bottom for easy excess water flow. You will do the repotting if more plants are growing and shooting up in the same pot.
They should be given enough space to flourish. This could also help produce and promote proper soil aeration.
Towards the reporting needs of your Alocasia Regal Shields, it does not need repotting for almost two years. This plant stays happy for several years in the same pot.
Whenever it needs repotting, It will signal you by growing some roots out of the drainage hole. Hence, you will notice some roots peeking out of the drainage hole, then prepare a new pot and move this plant to its new home.
You will do the repotting in the growing season because the plant might experience a transplant shock for several days when you move to a new pot.
It is also recommended to fertilize the Alocasia Regal Shields every time you replant them. Repotting will renew and replenish all the used-up nutrients and minerals.
Alocasia Regal Shield – Pests and Diseases
The Alocasia Regal Shield could attract mealybugs, thrips, aphids, and scale. These pests and diseases tend to hinder the growth of your Elephant’s Ear plant.
Whenever you see any of those mentioned pests and diseases, immediately separate the plant from others to avoid spreading the pests. You discard them with insecticidal soap and water.
Choose The Right Location
This Elephant Ear is a tropical plant somewhat wild, grand, and architecturally pleasing. It grows tall, strong, and can reach 6 – 8 feet. The leaves grow to 20 to 90 cm or 18 to 35 inches.
So, it is essential to put them in a location with plenty of space. A place wherein they will thrive and flourish with plenty of light.
You can place them in specific locations on the terrace, balcony, living rooms, hallways, bedrooms, offices, conference rooms, or anywhere with plenty of lights. It is advisable to rotate the pot or container, so all the foliage gets even light.
Grooming And Pruning the Alocasia Regal Shield
The Alocasia Regal Shield does not need a lot of pruning. However, it is good to trim or cut the discolored, damaged, and dead leaves. In doing so, it keeps the plant healthy and flourishing.
Inasmuch as, if you don’t have the plant in an ideal position, you want to prune away the larger older leaves that cover, the smaller younger leaves.
In this way, they can get more sunlight. But always be sure to sterilize your cutting tools before pruning your plants. That ensures you are not transferring any bacteria.
More Tips To Grow A Healthy Alocasia Regal Shield.
- Always place the plant in bright dappled sunlight and keep rotating the pot or container so all the foliage gets even light.
- Use well-drained soils with good aeration and fortified with organic manure or elements.
- This plant likes a warm environment but is not frost tolerant.
- Avoid under and overwatering the plant that can cause roots rot and ingest diseases.
- Use the plant’s soil in assessing when to water it. Partially, dry it out before watering.
- Avoid chlorine build-up in the soil as much as possible. Use rainwater or distilled water.
- Use sterilized or disinfected equipment or garden tools on the plant.
- Repot the plant every two years.
Why is my Alocasia Regal Shield Leaves Suddenly Dropping
If your Alocasia Regal Shield plant is exposed to a cold draft in your greenhouse, or near the entrance or a window – that can cause all the leaves to droop.
Place or transfer your Alocasia Regal Shield immediately into a warm environment to save the life of your plant.
Why is my Alocasia Regal Shield Leaves Wilting Or Drooping?
The most common reason for wilting of leaves is root rot caused by waterlogging. You must check the plant’s roots. If it is white, it’s healthy. When it looks brown and slushy, it’s root rot.
There’s a little chance that you can save the plant. Try to look for plantlets that you can save the plant and repot in better soil.
Why is my Alocasia Regal Shield Leaves Yellowing?
The common reason for this is salt build-up due to over-fertilization. This might start at the lower leaves before it spreads out to all the leaves.
You can save your plant by watering deeply three or four times a day. Then, let all the water drain out. Through doing this, it helps wash off the salts. Keep in mind that Alocasia Regal Shield is sensitive to excessive chlorine.
Rainwater is good for all plants. However, most home gardeners don’t have that option. You can do this by placing your water in a bucket and letting it stay for 2 days before using it.
Alocasia Regal Shield Leaves Attacked By Aphids
The Alocasia Regal Shields care seems quite easy when it comes to pest control. This plant is hardy tropical that is naturally pest resistant.
But, sometimes, occasionally hit by sucking pests, the most common are aphids.
To get rid of aphids, blast them off the leaves with a strong stream of water by using a water hose. An organic insecticidal concoction made from neem oil and horticultural soaps is safe to use for your Alocasia Regal Shield.
You can also use a solution of vinegar diluted with 3 times the water. Then, spray the underside of the leaves. This measure should be done on the morning of a sunny day.
Brown spots on the leaves is a disease common to Alocasia Regal Shield. Whenever the spots have a foul-smelling ooze to them then it could be bacterial leaf spot disease.
Immediately, get rid of the affected leaves. This bacteria spreads through water droplets on leaves. Be sure not to get the leaves wet while watering.
This regal plant needs correct care so that it can remain healthy. It’s such an amazing, plant and could be perfect for you.
Origins and Other Names of Alocasia Regal Shield
Alocasia Regal Shield is often called Alocasia Elephant Ear, and it originates from Africa. It has large heart-shaped leaves with light veins on the deep green background. It does look like it would be named the Elephant’s Ear.
This is a perennial flowering plant, a genus of broad-leaved, rhizomatous, tuberous plant from the family of Araceae.
This lovely plant’s leaves have the shape of a large heart. It has light veins and looks like the Elephant’s Ear. It has a deep green background that makes it so stylish and glamorous – a stunning perennial plant.
It gets its dramatic coloring from its father, the Black Velvet, and its upright growing habit from its mother, the Alocasia Odora.
They are native to tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Europe. Many growers around the world widely cultivate a range of hybrids of these species.
Alocasia Regal Shield has large, cordate, or sagittate leaves, growing to a length of 20 to 90 cm or 18 to 35 inches on long petioles.
It reaches heights of between 6-8 feet. Its flower grows at the end of a short stalk and is often hidden behind the leaf petioles.
Alocasia Regal Shield is a tropical plant that is increasingly becoming popular as a houseplant and typically grown as pot plants.
This plant does not do well in the dark and needs good lighting if inside the house.
Like any other tropical plant, it should be cared for with weekly cleaning of the leaves, frequent fertilization, and medium to high humidity.
Final Thoughts
Irrespective of what happens in the eye of the beholder, we feel that anyone who gazes upon this plant can only find it pleasing in every way. It’s like looking at a piece of art.
Happy gardening!
Jenny Marie
Tribal Writer
Edited By
Patricia Godwin
