How To Care For Alocasia Wentii “New Guinea Shield”

The Alocasia Wentii has glossy green leaves that are broadly ovate, like those of other members of the genus. Their surface has a slight ruffle, and the undersides are a deep purple. This stunning hue developed on the underside of the leaves as an adaption to the filtered light in its natural habitat, the shady floors of the Asian rainforest. It goes by a few other names, including New Guinea Shield and Hardy Elephant Ear.

The first Alocasia wentii plants were discovered in Borneo in the early 1900s. Like all other types of Elephant Ears, they are endemic to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, where they thrive on the forest floor. One of the main reasons Alocasia wentii is so expensive is because of its enormous and gorgeous leaves. The maximum length of these leaves is one foot. The bottom is a shocking purple, contrasting with the glossy green covering.

Alocasia wentii is not only easy enough to grow for inexperienced gardeners but also survives in cooler conditions than most tropical plants. The plant is aesthetically pleasing and contributes to a more hygienic and comfortable indoor environment by absorbing harmful chemicals from the air.

How To Care For Alocasia Wentii

If you want your Alocasia wentii plant to thrive, you need to create an environment similar to a tropical jungle. The roots of this plant can be found in such places. That doesn’t mean you have to make your condo or house feel like a tropical jungle. However, the Alocasia wentii will be healthy and happier if you can give care as feasible as what is regarded as optimum for the New Guinea Shield.

Alocasia wentii thrives in temperatures between 55 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (13 and 30 degrees Celsius), with plenty of moist, strong indirect light, and high humidity, well-draining soil. It thrives when root-bound and feeds heavily. It is susceptible to spider mites & thrips and tends to enter a dormant state when temperatures are cooler, or there is less light.

Light

To grow properly, Alocasia wentii needs bright, indirect light, but direct sunlight causes the plant to scorch and die soon. There is some tolerance for subpar light conditions, but the species become spindly and stretched out in very dim conditions. A great spot is often just a few steps away from a bright window. The Wentii can tolerate brief periods of direct sun in the morning and late afternoon and does well when exposed to artificial light.

Soil

Alocasia wentii requires nutrient-rich, well-drained, and consistently moist soil to flourish. It prefers well-drained, moist soil mixed with permeable potting material. I advise using a porous potting mix with the following proportions: 1 part soil, perlite, or 1 part coarse potting sand, and 1 part peat. Maintaining the soil around the plant moist but not soggy should be your top care. When the soil is always wet, it creates ideal conditions for the spread of water.

Your fantastic Alocasia wentii plant does best in a pH range of 5-8, which is gently acidic to alkaline. If you cultivate it in an area with the pH it favors, the plant will have an abundance of all the nutrients it requires. However, you should make sure that it doesn’t contain any dangerously high levels of minerals like calcium or aluminum.

READ Grow and Care Alocasia Macrorrhiza Variegata (Elephant Ear)

Watering

The permeable and well-draining soil in the South Pacific’s water forests ensures that plants receive a consistent supply of moist but never soaked conditions. The Alocasia wentii you have potted shouldn’t have too many watering needs.

Instead of watering the Alocasia wentii at regular intervals, you should check the soil’s moisture level and only give the New Guinea Shield water when the top few inches of soil are dry. Slowly and steadily pour water onto the soil’s surface. The procedure should be halted when water begins to emerge through the soil’s drainage pores at its base. Root rot can result if you let the pot sit in the collected water for too long.

Temperature

Alocasia wentii thrives in temperatures between 13 and 30 degrees Celsius (55 and 85 Fahrenheit). Temperatures of about 95 degrees Fahrenheit won’t harm them (35 degrees temperature). Alocasia wentiis can be found naturally occurring at higher altitudes on mountain slopes. Although they are more cold-resistant than many tropical plants, they will go into a dormant state if the temperature drops below 10 ° C. (50 degrees Fahrenheit) for a lengthy period.

Most homes have their New Guinea Shield set to a warm temperature. Keep in mind that they need to be shifted out of the path of any cooling system fans or vents. You’ll be subjecting it to temperatures over the range it prefers if you put it outside in the summer. But you ought to bring them inside before it gets too cold outside. If the plant survives temperatures just below freezing for an extended period, the foliage will suffer harm.

Humidity

The high humidity levels typical of rainforests explain why Alocasia wentii needs such a moist humidity to thrive. New Guinea Shield requires a relative humidity between 60 and 80%. Such high levels of humidity are not healthy for, nor are they appropriate for, a home environment. You may establish a humid microclimate in your home, which will help the Alocasia wentii and other plants that prefer high humidity.

Plant the Alocasia wentii on a sizable tray of pebbles, always moist with water. Evaporating into the air around the plants will add humidity. As a backup, you can also buy a portable humidifier and place it among them. Directly sprinkling the leaves is not recommended because too much water can cause diseases.

Fertilizer

Fertilize the Alocasia wentii every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer in the spring and summer. Heavy feeding is attributed to the alocasia’s large size. The stunning Alocasias need a substantial daily food supply. To keep up with their quick development, you will need to feed them the fertilizer of your choosing consistently.

The Alocasia wentii does best when fertilized every 2 to 4 weeks with a high-quality fertilizer with the correct nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium ratios. It is possible to use either diluted liquid fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer.

If you are utilizing liquid fertilizer, wait two to four weeks before giving it to the plant. Feeding the plant once every two weeks is sufficient when using a slow-release fertilizer, and once per month is ideal. It is essential to supply the Alocasia wentii plant with sufficient nutrition throughout the year, especially when it vigorously develops in the summer. During the colder months, it is not necessary to feed the plant. Fertilizing it now could induce an accumulation of salt, which would seriously damage, possibly even burning the leaf tips.

READ How to Grow and Care Alocasia Cuprea ‘Red Secret’?

Pruning

Pruning an alocasia is only done to get rid of dead or damaged leaves, not to trim the plant like a topiary. If you trim the leaves off a growing Alocasia wentii, don’t worry; the plant will swiftly produce new ones to replace the ones you removed.

Remove the older leaves from the stem’s base, being cautious not to harm the younger, emerging leaves. Do not cut off both the old & new leaves at once; instead, leave a little stump that keeps the growing leaf. This is because each Alocasia leaf is in charge of creating the next one. Use only clean, disinfected blades when pruning to prevent the spread of illness.

Potting & Repotting

Although Alocasia wentii may tolerate some squishing in its pot, Repotting New Guinea Shield should only happen once per 2 years. When roots emerge through the drainage holes or tiny plants begin to grow along the plant’s edges, it is time to repot the Alocasia wentii.

You shouldn’t uproot the Alocasia wentii into a much bigger pot; instead, boost the diameter of the current pot by no more than 2 inches. If the pot is too big, the plant will experience stress. Make that there are sufficient holes for drainage to exit. Any offspring should be dug out and replanted in a separate container. Always start with fresh potting soil and water it thoroughly before letting any excess water drain away.

Alocasia Wentii Propagation

When repotting an Alocasia wentii, you should quickly divide it to increase its population. Cuttings easily propagate the Alocasia Wentii. However, shoots that sprout close to the parent plant will mature into fully fledged specimens much more quickly. A cutting from the stem needs to grow a new set of roots to continue to develop.

You can remove the root ball from the pot so that I can see where the new, smaller plants have sprouted. Carefully separate them and replant each piece in its pot. Use a clean knife to separate the lumps if you need to.

Blooms

There is little chance of seeing blooms on an Alocasia wentii. But its large, attractive green and purple leaves are a beautiful foil for other species’ bright and brilliant blooms. The leaves of the Wentii plant are used in practically all cases.

Size and Growth

Depending on the plant’s age and the conditions in which it was grown, the Alocasia wentii could be a different size. Alocasia wentii has a slow pace of development. When grown in a pot indoors, it can take as long as five to ten years to attain its full three- to five-foot height and size. If it is not cut to make it wider, its width will not vary significantly.

In ideal conditions, an Alocasia wentii grown in the ground outside can reach a height of nearly 10 feet (zones 8a and higher). Evergreen tropical plants like Alocasia wentii lose their leaves as the plant ages, but the surviving foliage is always beautiful.

Toxicity

Alocasias are toxic to most animals, including people, cats, dogs, and even horses. The plant’s oxalic acid content contributes to the production of potentially irritating calcium oxalate crystals. A burning sensation in the mouth is the first symptom and may be followed by nausea, drooling, and trouble swallowing. Death is possible, albeit quite uncommon, if the swelling tissue completely blocks the airways. Wearing gloves and other toxic equipment is highly recommended when interacting with the Alocasia wentii plant.

READ Alocasia Hilo Beauty Care Guide! Caladium Praetermissum

Common Problems

Growing problems with Alocasia wentii are most common when people attempt to cultivate this rainforest, which is native to tropical rainforests, without providing it with the conditions most suited to its robust and robust growth. If you have a sick plant, you should first examine how its surroundings might be improved.

Pests and Diseases

Mealybugs and spider mites are some of the most prevalent pests that attack Alocasia plants. Insecticidal detergents or sprays should be applied to the Wentii plant’s leaves once every few weeks to combat mealybug and spider mite mites on Alocasia mealybugs. This will also help maintain a dust-free environment within the plant. You might also try using neem oil or an ultra-fine insecticide to eliminate the mealybugs. In addition to helping you get rid of their eggs, this strategy will also help you.

What’s Causing the Leaves on My Alocasia Wentii to Turn Yellow?

An overabundance of moisture in the soil is the most common reason for leaf yellowing. The most damaging result of overwatering is the appearance of yellow leaves, a sign of root rot. By inspecting the underside of the root, you can determine if rot has set in. Roots that are strong and healthy are pale in color, firm to the touch, and smell like soil. If you discover root rot, you’ll need to act quickly and, if necessary, take drastic measures to save the plant.

If wet soil is not the issue, you should look into the other common causes of yellow leaves, such as underwatering, high heat, and overly intense light. Plants can turn yellow for several reasons, including but not limited to low humidity, pests, disease, nutrient shortages, and the repotting blues. As a defense mechanism, this may occur.

Alocasia Wentii Root-Rot

In addition, root rot is a common problem for Alocasia wentii plants. The symptoms of this water appear when the plant has been watered too much. Water the plant when only the top few inches of soil are dry to the touch. The likelihood of root rot forming in the plant is diminished. Your fingers are all you need to determine how wet the soil is. You don’t need to water the plant if the soil already feels damp. If the soil seems too dry, it’s time to water it more. Watch the roots of the Wentii plant to see how frequently it needs to be watered.

The drooping of the Leaves

The leaves of Alocasia plants may turn yellow or droop for no apparent reason. Several pests, such as lack of watering, low nutrition, inappropriate watering, improper insect management, and so forth, could be to blame.

The root of the problem may be found by analyzing your recent medical care. Make sure your plant feeding and watering routine is working properly. If not, adjust it. A site for the plant should receive at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. In addition, check to determine if there is enough amount of space between the roots or if there is too much. You will probably find the cause of the problem if you go through all of these. Suitably resolve the matter.

READ How to Care for Moonlight Philodendron: The Shining Lime Green

How often should I give my Alocasia wentii water?

You should spritz the area around your Alocasia wentii periodically and water it once weekly. Make sure the plant’s top 2-3 inches of soil have a chance to dry out before you water it.

How can I encourage faster growth in Alocasia wentii?

If you want your Alocasia wentii to develop as quickly as possible, give it the humidity and temperature range ideal for it, and fertilize it once every few weeks during the spring and summer months.

Can Alocasia wentii survive in low light conditions?

The Alocasia wentii is a plant that is extremely sensitive to light. As a result, please position it so that it receives indirect yet bright sunlight so it can grow healthily. If you don’t do that, it could potentially hinder your growth.

READ How to Care for Philodendron Hastatum ‘Silver Sword’

Conclusion

Unique and eye-catching, the Alocasia wentii plant has green and metallic purple-bronze-colored foliage. Its adaptability means it can serve as the centerpiece of your garden or other outdoor areas. It’s a low alternative for a houseplant because it needs little care. On the contrary, it is made up of oxalate crystals, poisonous to humans and pets. In light of this, the plant should be enjoyed from a safe distance, ideally away from any curious youngsters or pets.