Grow and Care for Alocasia Melo | Alocasia Rugosa

The striking Alocasia Melo (Alocasia Rugosa) is a type of Alocasia with thick, leathery leaves with a texture similar to that of plastic. Its compact growth pattern makes it a good option for smaller spaces. Although there are many beautiful Alocasia plants, this one is exceptional. Read on to learn how to nurture and grow this exotic plant.

The Alocasia Melo tree is only found in its native habitat, the steamy tropical rainforest of Borneo. Understanding the environment that plants evolved under is greatly aided by learning their native ranges.

The great thickness and thick texture of the leaves give the sensation that you feel the leaves of a fake plant when you run your fingertips across their surface. In terms of aesthetics, it is unparalleled.

Grow and Care for Alocasia Melo | Alocasia Rugosa

Light

All plants require light to thrive, but alocasia houseplants require bright illumination. About six hours of bright indirect light per day is all these houseplants require to thrive. Although the Alocasia Melo plant can survive with fewer hours of strong indirect light or a lower light level, it needs many bright indirect lights to thrive.

Water

Alocasia has intermediate water requirements. Therefore, it doesn’t like to be left to become completely waterless, but it also doesn’t want to be allowed to stand in water for long periods. The soil must be entirely dry before anything can be planted in it. If you are unsure whether your alocasia needs watering, it is best to err on the side of caution and not turn on the sprinklers or the rainhead.

The soil of these houseplants should be soaked completely before water is allowed to run out of the drainage holes. The Alocasia Melo plant requires well-drained soil to thrive. These houseplants will die if their roots are ever submerged in water.

Soil

The Jewel alocasia Melo plant demands soil that has excellent drainage and a high level of aeration. You should consider employing various blends containing peat moss and sandy loams.

Temperature

Indoor alocasia houseplants do well in temperatures that are slightly hotter than usual. These tropical plants thrive in temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. Don’t place plants near heating or cooling vents; keep them out of drafty areas such as windows and doors.

Humidity

When Borneo is in its natural humidity, the humidity is usually between 60 and 70 percent. Any Alocasia you may have would benefit from increasing the humidity in their plant room to this level. You will need to invest in a high-quality humidifier to obtain your desired humidity level, as misting will not work.

Fertilizer

Providing your Alocasia Melo plant with the right nutrients will become a stunning specimen. When the plant is actively growing, spring and summer is the best time to fertilize it. Complete liquid fertilizer diluted by a factor of four should be used when watering, or an emulsion of fish or seaweed can be used instead. For optimal health and aesthetics, alocasias need winter rest time. Since the plant is dormant during the winter, fertilization is unnecessary.

Repotting

Melo’s roots prefer to stay put. So, until you see that the rhizome has outgrown its pot, you shouldn’t bother with repotting it. Another sign that it’s time to repot your plant baby is if its roots are emerging through the bottom of the pot.

Pruning

Your Alocasia Melo plant will benefit from annual or regular pruning to maintain its robust, beautiful green foliage. Especially focus on the lower sides of the plant while removing old or damaged leaves. This will help maintain the beauty and vitality of your plant.

Propagation for Alocasia Melo

Alocasia Melo shoots often develop at or near the ground surface, as with other Alocasia species. Corms, comparable to bulbs, are produced, and the corms are then disseminated underground, resulting in more plants. It’s possible to divide the resulting plants. However, the plant will flourish more if left alone.

If you want extra plants, it’s alright to divide the young ones, but wait until they’re a good size (at least half as big as the parent plant) before doing so.

Toxicity

Like the vast majority of other aroids, Alocasia Melo is poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

alocasia melo vs maharani

The Alocasia ‘Maharani’ and the Alocasia ‘Melo’ both have a similar appearance, but the Alocasia ‘Melo’ leaves are more rounded and have a more robust feel.