How to Propagate Alocasia Silver Dragon; Easy Care Guide!

This post’s topic is how to propagate and care for an Alocasia Silver Dragon. If you’re attempting to figure out which plants would do well in your home or apartment, this piece is for you. The Alocasia Silver Dragon is a popular ornamental plant native to South Asia. It is also sometimes called “Dragon’s Tail” in English. Renowned for its unique silver sheen and lovely leaf design.

The Alocasia silver dragon, also known as Alocasia baginda, is known by various other names, including “Jewel Alocasias” or “Elephant Ear Silver Dragon.” It’s part of the small group of non-native plant species known as the Araceae family. The Alocasia silver dragon plant leaves grow in a tight rosette along upright, pink stalks that originate at the rhizome. The maximum size of the velvety leaves is 6 inches in length and 3 to 4 inches in width. The leaves seem like a stretched-out heart shape.

The piston-shaped bloom of a fully developed silver dragon plant is encased in white or pale green bracts. The opposite is true, however: blossoming is extremely rare in houseplants.

Like all other members of the Araceae family of plants, the Alocasia silver dragon is extremely poisonous. The potentially poisonous chemical calcium oxalate could be present in any plant tissue. It can cause skin irritation and stomach problems, including vomiting and diarrhoea in humans and animals.

However, the plant is an efficient purifier, so the adage “all good things come at a price” is applicable in this case.

How to Care for Alocasia Silver Dragon

Taking care of a special or fascinating plant requires attention to many details. There are several factors to consider to maintain their health and vitality, such as lighting, watering, temperature, etc.

Alocasia Silver Dragon is not a good plant for amateur gardeners. To ensure the plant’s survival in its first few days, you must take special care to follow the recommended care routine. Only people with considerable gardening knowledge should attempt to grow the Alocasia Silver Dragon.

Light

A Silver Alocasia thrives in bright light but should not be placed where it will be subjected to direct sunlight. Alocasia Silver’s leaves are direct to UV light. Therefore, keeping them in a brightly lit area away from windows is best. This will encourage the most blooming and growth.

Move them out of the direct shade of the sun’s rays or cover them with an opaque covering like a window blind to protect them from the sun’s rays. Try to keep at least two feet of the window between them and any northeast-facing windows. In the wintertime, you’ll need to position it closer to the window to maximize the amount of lighting coming in.

If you want all Silver Alocasia’s leaves to get the same amount of light, give it a regular rotation. Turn the container clockwise by 90 degrees before watering the plant. It’s a simple strategy for restoring order.

If you have taken your Silver Alocasia pot outside, it will do best in a cool, shaded, and out-of-the-way spot. Protects the plant from direct light. Artificial lighting can be highly enticing when inside.

How frequently should I water my Alocasia Silver Dragon?

Watering the Alocasia Silver Dragon plants on a strict schedule is crucial to their healthy growth. Neither an abundance nor a scarcity of water is sustainable for them, and both conditions result in death. In extreme soil dryness cases, the leaves tips may darken and curl. If the plant is showing these symptoms, it may need water.

If you want your Dragon Alocasia plant to grow, you must know the difference between damp soil. The appropriate moisture level is reached when the substrate’s base is wet. The conditions must be just right, neither too wet nor too dry. They can’t both be right. The precision of watering schedules depends on many factors at the scale of the entire discourse. Some examples of such factors include temperature conditions, the season, the amount of accessible sunlight, and the type of soil.

The Alocasia Silver Dragon plant slows its growth or becomes dormant when the temperature drops drastically, and there is less constant light during the winter. The water cycle must adapt accordingly if the ambient temperature rises or falls. Until spring, the plant will not put forth any new leaves while it stores nutrients for the growing season. Therefore, the Gardener should only water the plant once a week or according to a predetermined timetable.

This plant goes through a challenging developmental period from spring until right before winter. In light of this, the Alocasia Silver Dragon plant should be sprayed with water at least twice per week, preferably three times. Plants need extra water because these environmental changes cause the soil to dry out at around one to two inches.

Soil

Several criteria must be met for the silver dragon alocasia to flourish in their new soil. These requirements include a pH response of 5.0–7.5, which is slightly acidic to neutral, sufficient permeability, the presence of nutrients, and a relatively airy environment. The soil must have good water for water to move quickly through the soil and not pool around the roots. The rhizome root, a bloated mass of flesh, is highly susceptible to rotting if placed in soil that is too wet.

However, the soil shouldn’t be overly wet, and it should be able to retain just the right amount of moisture without causing the plant any harm. For this reason, it is acceptable to incorporate into your growing media a combination of standard potting soil, peat moss, perlite, and coarser sand in proportions of 1:1:1. One scoop of compost that can be found nearby can increase the mixture’s nutrient content. Peat moss and compost and has a mildly acidic reaction and are considered factors in maintaining a healthy pH level.

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Humidity and Temperature

The Silver dragon prefers warm and humid conditions. They require a temperature range of about 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so that’s where you should keep them. The plant can tolerate temperatures as high as 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but it needs constant watering and should be kept out of the sun.

For the spring and summer, you can safely leave the plant outside, but as autumn sets in and temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need to bring the plant inside. Indoor cultivation requires a constant temperature of at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because metabolic rates slow down at lower temperatures, resulting in slower development.

Since they came from the temperatures, keeping the temperature warm and the humidity at 60–80% is important. Routine spraying or misting, using a humidifier, or putting stones in a tray are all good ways to maintain a healthy amount of humidity in the air. Although alocasia does well in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4–11 when grown indoors, it needs a hardiness zone of 9–11 when planted in the ground.

Fertilizer

The Alocasia Silver Dragon requires a specific type and amount of balanced fertilizer. It should be part of the diet every six weeks, especially while the plants are actively growing. Overfertilization, rather than under-fertilization, is more likely to occur with this plant due to its low nutrient needs.

Over time, excess fertilizer in the soil could result from overfertilization. This imbalance is harmful to the plant and must be corrected. As a result of the damage, the leaves and twig ends start to brown.

You should flush the soil if there is a buildup of fertilizer and minerals in the plant soil. The soil will be cleansed during the flush of contaminants and excess fertilizer. Please follow the procedures below to cleanse the soil appropriately.

After two or three minutes, place the pot in a moving stream of water to completely submerge. Open the drain at the bottom of the pot so that all of the water may run out. Let the next water cycle begin after repositioning the pot, then water as usual until the soil is damp.

Pruning

There are many parts of the Alocasia Silver Dragon plant that need care. The most common occurrences of these factors are cleaning and pruning. Alocasia Silver Dragons don’t require intensive early pruning because they form a rosette.

Damaged, diseased, or wilted leaves should be removed to promote healthier growth and a better appearance. The pruning was a success since it increased ventilation. By allowing air to flow around the plant, you reduce the risk of disease-causing organisms like bacteria and fungi taking hold. Additionally, this Alocasia Silver Dragon is a small plant. Therefore, you need to make an effort to clean the foliage regularly. Use a soft, wet towel to wipe the leaves clean. You can wipe away the dust with this wet towel, and the moisture will help the leaves to straighten up.

Repotting 

Repotting a plant marks a significant transition in the plant’s development. While repotting, the Alocasia Silver Dragon goes into a latent state and drops all of its leaves. Never do it unless you have to. Repotting your Alocasia Silver Dragon should be done in the spring for the greatest results. The roots can continue to expand, and the plant’s health can be restored by starting over in new soil, which is why repotting is so important.

When the plant outgrows its container, which usually happens between one and two years after you initially put it there, you should replant it in a new, transparent pot. However, the new pot can be no more than two or three inches longer and wider than the one used today and only one size larger than the current pot. Overwatering is a problem that must be avoided at all costs, so make sure to select a pot that is just the right size.

To ensure good drainage after repotting, select a soil mixture that is both loose and porous. If you want to make a size to the pot, get one about two inches wider than the one you’re using now. We recommend using a clear plastic container to observe the growing roots. The plant’s expansion and success are due in part to the staff’s skillful management of the facility’s size.

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How to Propagate Alocasia Silver Dragon

When the Alocasia Silver Dragon is actively growing, either in the middle of spring or during the summer season is the best time to propagate a new plant from a cutting. The division and clump methods are the two most common approaches to the propagation of this plant.

How to Use Bulbils to propagate an Alocasia Silver Dragon?

The Alocasia Silver Dragon plant produces bulbils on stolons that grow beneath the earth and frequently above the potting soil.

• First, you must wait until the bulbils have grown more until they are approximately 0.4 inches broad, like a shallot.
• When you have the desired size, use a knife that has been sterilized to cut the bulbils off of the stolon at the base.
• After that, you should immediately plant it in a starting potting soil mix that is kept at a consistent moisture level. The peat moss and perlite proportion in the soil mixture must be equal to one another. Another excellent option is sphagnum moss which has been moistened uniformly throughout.
• Keep the potting soil mix moist by regularly adding lukewarm water to it, and position the plant in a bright area.
• For the bulbils to develop into a new plant, no more than a few weeks should pass.

How to Divide Root Clump to Propagate Alocasia Silver Dragon?

• To begin, gather the necessary components and combine them into a potting soil mix before giving it a little coating of water.
• The next step is to remove the Alocasia Silver Dragon mother plant from its container and use a hose to remove any substrate still attached to the plant’s roots.
• You should be able to identify some roots clustered together in many clumps. To separate them, use a knife that has been sterilized or your fingers to separate the clumps that contain the roots carefully.
• Now, put each clump in its separate pot and give it some water.
• The end, as they say. Simply treat the newly planted seedlings in the same manner that you do the established plants. It shouldn’t take more than a few weeks for the clumps’ roots to develop.

Is the Alocasia Silver Dragon toxic?

Please take precautions to prevent children and pets from coming into contact with the Alocasia Silver Dragon since this plant contains toxins that can be toxic to them. Unfortunately for your digestive system, Silver Dragon Alocasia is lined with an indigestible layer of calcium oxalate.

There is substantial evidence that it can trigger dermatitis. This eventually hampers the normal functioning of the stomach and digestive system.

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Common Problems

Even if you provide the ideal conditions for its growth, Alocasia Silver Dragon can still experience issues.

Pests

The outdoor Alocasia Dragon is most vulnerable since it spends most time exposed to the pest. The most common pest pests attracted to toxic Dragon Alocasia include coarse bugs, scales, aphids, and other bug parasites.

It is extremely challenging to eliminate bug parasites after they have already established a foothold in the target. Spraying the plant frequently with disinfected warm water can help keep pests at bay. Preventative measures are the only thing that can stop a pest release.

Soap and water invasion, like the one employed to ward off the invasive Alocasia Dragon, is an effective deterrent. Further, there are a variety of insecticides and insecticidal cleansers to choose from. Apply the cleansers and solutions throughout the facility to kill the bugs as rapidly as feasible. Consistency in the technique is essential to achieve the best results. Numerous new diseases could appear if the pest invasion keeps growing. There’s a chance that these could be harmful to people.

Wilting or Drooping of Leaves

Most plant drooping or wilting cases are brought on by root rot, typically brought on by waterlogging. You can tell for sure by looking at your plant’s roots. White roots indicate optimal health.

Plants with brown, mushy roots likely have root rot. If this is the case, your plant is probably doomed at this time. It’s easy to propagate more of a certain plant by searching for miniature plantlets that you may transplant into fresh soil.

Your plant may drop leaves because it is too close to a drafty area, such as a doorway, where cold air can easily enter. If the Alocasia Silver Dragon is put through such testing, this may be the result. Sometimes, pests are responsible for plants dropping leaves.

Yellowing Alocasia Silver Dragon Leaves

It’s possible that the problem will show up first on the lowest leaves of your plant before spreading upwards.

One of the main contributors to this issue is the buildup of salt caused by the overuse of fertilizer. To solve this problem, water the plant three or four times, ensuring that all of the water drains away before watering again. Remove the saucer from the pot. The salts accumulated on your plant leaves can be rinsed away with a good soaking.

Be sure to water your plant with rainwater, as this is the ideal medium for growth. For this reason, it is prudent to keep a large container outside to collect rainwater whenever it does rain. This is an important practice that should be followed whenever possible. But if it doesn’t rain regularly, you could always just fill up your water from the tap. Just leave it alone all night to let the chlorine evaporate. High concentrations of chlorine can be harmful to Alocasia Silver Dragon plants.

Brown tips or edges of leaves

When the tips or edges of leaves turn, brown, dry air is usually to blame. It also happens when the leaves start drying out because of low humidity in the soil. As indicated above, this beautiful plant requires high humidity to thrive and call your home it’s permanent dwelling.

Brown spots on the leaves

A bacterial infection manifests as brown spots on the leaves. Unfortunately, they can be found in large numbers on plants that thrive in damp conditions. Moisture and heat combined with either stagnant air or a rosette of foliage that is too dense to allow for adequate air circulation can lead to the onset of these diseases. When you notice any infected leaves, cut them off the plant and treat them with a fungicide. You need to monitor the air levels to prevent the soil from returning.

FAQS

Alocasia Silver Dragon Can I Grow It In Water?

Alocasia Silver Dragon can be grown well in water, yes. However, you should take precautions to ensure that the plant is not subjected to strong, direct sunlight since this can encourage the formation of algae. Be sure to give your plant freshwater consistently and give it a light dusting of fertilizer about once every two weeks.

Does adding lime to the soil help Alocasia Silver Dragon grow?

Alocasia Silver Dragon requires high calcium levels in the soil to grow properly. Adding hydrated lime to the soil is often suggested to make it suitable for these plants. Lime, however, is an exceedingly caustic material; if applied incorrectly to a plant, it could be fatal. In my opinion, lime should not be utilized in backyard gardening. A much more efficient approach to boosting soil calcium levels is to utilize a tomato fertilizer.

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Is alocasia silver dragon rare?

The alocasia silver dragon is rare despite its fame. Some specialty nurseries or online providers sell the plant. However, there are waiting lists and high prices due to their rarity and rising demand.

How do the alocasia silver dragon and alocasia dragon scale differ?

The alocasia silver dragon and alocasia dragon scale would be mistaken for one another. Their care requirements are similar for members of the same genus, Alocasia baginda. When compared to the dark green of the dragon scale, the silvery shine of the silver dragon’s leaves stands out.