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How To Grow Alocasia From A Bulb? 5 Easy Steps!

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Growing Alocasias from bulbs may appear to be a challenging undertaking that only the most seasoned houseplant lovers are capable of doing.

On the other hand, growing an Alocasia bulb couldn’t be easier, and the bulbs do the majority of the work for you. This is a popular method of propagating Alocasias.

In truth, most people are completely oblivious of the bulbs that lie beneath the surface, waiting to be planted! This article will show you how to grow Alocasia from a bulb. This is a highly rewarding process, and we recommend using a see-through container to observe it for yourself.

Elephant Ears, also known as Colocasia and Alocasias, are grown for large, arrow-head-shaped leaves and tall stems. These big-leaved beauties come in various luscious tones ranging from burgundy to green to black and reach heights of 2′ to 15′ tall, with some of the most striking foliage seen in houseplants.

Alocasias are becoming more popular additions to indoor plant collections, and you’ll see why once you see the visual excitement and sculptural appeal that their beautiful leaf provides!

Now, if you’re wondering how to plant, grow, and care for your Alocasia plant, go no further than this detailed guide!

From spring until early summer, it can be planted outside after the threat of frost has gone. For rapid growth, start them indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date.

These vibrant plants bloom in the summer and can be harvested in the winter when they are dormant.

how to grow Alocasia from a bulb
“Alocasia bulb propagations are getting their first leaves” via Reddit

A Step-by-Step Procedure on How to Grow Alocasia from A Bulb

Things You’ll Need

  • Alocasia that’s ready for repotting
  • A lidded tiny shallow container
  • Potting Mix
  • Water

Step 1: Collect a Healthy Alocasia & Locate Bulbs

  • It’s time to dig for bulbs if you already have Alocasia! Carefully remove your Alocasia from its nursery pot and begin looking for hard round balls in the soil.
  • The best area to look for Alocasia bulbs is near the root system, where they may or may not still be attached.
  • They are really little and appear to be food.
  • Remember to pull away from the roots gently.
  • After you’ve successfully removed the bulbs from the roots/soil, carefully press each seed to make sure it’s firm to the touch.
  • If the balls feel soft or mushy, they rot and will not regenerate into a new leaf. It’s preferable to get rid of those!
  • The amount of bulbs you’ll discover varies, but an average mature Alocasia has 5-10 bulbs.
  • It’s important to note that not all firm bulbs will root, and that’s just fine! The more bulbs you have, the better your chances of succeeding.
how to grow Alocasia from a bulb 2
Alocasia bulbs via Reddit

Step 2: Put the Bulbs in Water Container

  • It’s time to transplant your bulbs into a shallow container of water once you’ve gone over every inch of dirt and, of course, successfully and carefully reassembled your original Alocasia.
  • Pour a small amount of water into a shallow Tupperware container.
  • The bulbs mustn’t be completely submerged in water.
  • So that they have access to both oxygen and water, the water line should come up to half the bulb’s height.

Step 3: Germination

  • Fill the container with water once a week (or whenever you feel the water is drying out) and allow the Alocasias to breathe fresh air.
  • Every day, leave the lid open for one hour to promote circulation and prevent mold from growing on the bulbs.
  • After 4-6 weeks, you should see long, thin white roots emerging from your bulbs.
  • Keep the bulbs in water until the leaves start to form.

Step 4: Shift the Bulbs into Potting Mix

  • If you’re using a container, make sure it’s up to 18 inches wide and has enough drainage holes.
  • Put humus-rich, high-quality soil inside the container. Almost any potting medium that is commercially available will suffice.
  • The narrow end of the Alocasia bulb should be pointed up, while the root zone should be facing down.
  • For larger types, bury the bulb 8 inches deep; for lesser varieties, bury it 4–6 inches deep.
  • After planting, water thoroughly, the soil gets settled around the bulb.

Step 5: Place the Container in Bright Indirect Sunlight

  • Choose a spot where your Alocasia will get plenty of bright, indirect, or filtered light.
  • These high-octane plants don’t need the well-drained soil most plants need, and they flourish in humid environments.
  • Top growth should appear in 3 to 8 weeks, depending on the moisture and warmth available. These huge plants will grow tall throughout the season and often produce side plants from root runners or bulb offsets.

Using Ziplock Method For Germination

Things You’ll Need

  • Ziplock bag
  • Paper Towels
  • Pen

Process

This is arguably one of the most used methods for germinating a seed within the plant world. It’s simple to use and produces results quickly.

  • Using a paper towel, dampen the surface.
  • Using a damp paper towel, place the seed.
  • Place the seed-wrapped paper towel in the ziplock bag.
  • The date should be written on the bag.
  • Place the bag on a shelf near your plants.
  • Every other day, open the bag and allow the seed to breathe.

Using Sphagnum Moss Method For Germination

Things You’ll Need

  • Clear mason jar with a lid
  • Grow lights
  • Moss

Process

  • Soak the moss overnight to retain enough water to germinate the seeds.
  • After wringing excess water from the moss, place it loosely within the jar.
  • Put the bulb on top of the moss.
  • Loosely cover the seed with more moss.
  • Place the container under a grow lamp and close it. If you don’t have a grow light, put it somewhere to get plenty of light.

Care Guide for Growing Alocasia From Bulb

  • When the Alocasia bulb grows, watering daily keeps the soil moist; water is essential for developing these vivid beauties that do not tolerate wet soil and need less water in the winter.
  • To stimulate the amazing growth, applying a half-strength 20-20-20 fertilizer is recommended every 3 weeks during their active period.
  • Leave it in place rather than trimming the foliage at the season’s end. The leaves will collect sunshine and use photosynthesis to make food, preparing them for next year’s spectacle.
  • If the site is windy, add additional weight to the base of your containers using gravel, stone, or sand. Wind can capture the huge leaves and force a lightweight pot to topple.
  • When choosing companions, keep in mind the mature height of these giants and their proclivity to shade out lesser plants.
  • Allow your Alocasia to rest in a warm, dark, and dry location for a few months prior to the start of the next growing cycle.
  • Mulch plants to a depth of 2 inches in beds and 1 inch in pots.

Final Remarks

It should not surprise that Alocasia is ideal for plant parents looking to expand their collection. Alocasia can be frightening, which is understandable. Alocasias are particularly susceptible to spider mites if they are not properly cared for.

When your Alocasia has spider mites, one of the first signs you’ll notice is how quickly the leaves start to yellow/spot and die off. If you don’t catch spider mites early on, getting rid of them can be difficult if you don’t know-how.

I hope this article, how to grow Alocasia from a bulb, will help you grow this beautiful plant which seems like a daunting task, but in reality, it is such a fun process.