Maharani Alocasia is an exotic plant that is very rare to find, but when you see one, you will get captivated by its unique features. This plant, which is also known as Alocasia “Grey Dragon” or “Elephant ear” is a unique houseplant like no other that should be on a plant collector’s list.
Its foliage is bold and compact, which makes it ideal for the home. The office space is not left out too. It’s that perfect million-dollar buck’s office décor addition to the collection on your desk.
Caring for this Alocasia variety is much easier than the other Alocasia. Watering this plant when the soil dries out is important. And when this plant has started growing, fertilizer can be applied occasionally while enough indirect light should be made available.
When repotting the Alocasia Maharani, make sure the soil you use is a well-draining soil. This article will be narrating how to care for your exotic Alocasia variety.
About Alocasia Maharani
This particular variety of Alocasia is a hybrid plant whose leaves are plastic stiff. The origination of this plant is from Asia in the Southeast. It usually grows up to a foot in size only. The leaves usually grow up to 15cm in length.
You can keep this plant in a greenhouse, vivarium, or terrarium. It can be grown both indoors and outdoors in containers. This makes it possible to enjoy the view of this plant in whichever way you want.
The ideal temperatures to grow your Maharani in are between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The soil mix must be the type that drains well. You should only water the plant whenever the top 2 inches of the soil have dried out.
Apply fertilizer once every month during spring and summer only. As time goes on, the leaves begin to look dark green and have a thick texture with a bright green and reddish underside and have thin stems.
All these features make this plant look like an artificial plant. The texture of the leaves is rough and they are usually veiny.
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Maharani Alocasia Care Guide
When it comes to caring for and propagating Maharani, the system is the same as the other plants in the same family Maharani belongs to. This Alocasia variety is unlike no other with its leaves that are thick and leathery in texture.
The type of flowers this monocot plant produces is called a spadix. These flowers are produced on a stem. This plant is mostly grown for its unique foliage while the one that produces flowers, which are white in color, does so in early spring. However, the flowering type can’t be relied on.
Let’s take a look at a few tips on how to take care of your Maharani.
1. Watering Requirement – Maharani Alocasia
The soil of your plant must not be dry or soggy but moist. This will help the Elephant ear grow well and be healthy. Too much dryness in the soil can lead to root rot. Well, the best solution when it comes to watering this houseplant is to water it often. Don’t water at once; let it be little by little.
2. Ideal Potting Mix
During the growing season, the Elephant ear should be given enough attention from time to time as it’s a heavy feeder. This is why the need for a well-draining soil can’t be overemphasized.
The soil must be porous and as well as contain some soil, perlite/coarse, peat, and sand. Hence, endeavor you make sure the soil mix drains well till moist and also aerated.
3. Temperature And Humidity – Maharani Alocasia
The best temperature for the grey dragon is between 54 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. And when the temperature outside drops below this, then it’s better you bring your plant in.
Humidity is also not an exception. Humidity should be around 80 degrees. The best location, in the house, is to keep your plant in the kitchen or where there’s so much steam in the bathroom.
Your Elephant ear can get infected with fungal diseases if moisture is left remaining in crevices or on the leaves. So it’s advisable to keep close attention to your plant.
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4. Ideal Light Requirement
In order for your Elephant ear to survive, the same type of the plant’s habitat in the rainforest must be created. A brightly-lit window, but not direct sunlight, is perfect to place your plant in.
So it is best you keep your plant in a spot that has soft lighting, just like a terrarium for the best result.
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5. Fertilizer Application – Maharani Alocasia
Due to the fact that the grey dragon is a heavy feeder, it must be fertilized consistently during its growing period. You can make available all the plant’s needed nutrients together with a general house feed.
This helps to keep your plants healthy all the time and by keeping the soil nourished.
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Propagation Of Maharani Alocasia
The propagation of the grey dragon can be carried out from the pups or flower seed of the Alocasia Maharani once it stops being dormant. The best time for propagation is at the beginning of spring or midsummer.
Use healthy plants alone when repotting if you’re using the division or pup method. You can remove the soil at the top if you’re removing only the pups. This will help you get a firm hold on them. When separating them from the main plant, the size and overall health of each pup will vary.
However, it’s possible for you to still get 5 pups from the mother plant. Endeavor that the potting soil you will be placing each of the roots in is moist. If you’ve chosen the propagation method from seed, the plant must have produced flowers which means it will take a long time.
The pod needs to be mature enough and then let become dry. This way, the seeds in the pod can be removed easily. Once you’ve got the seeds, soak them in water for a while. Then proceed to plant them in your growing medium and not forget to get the soil covering moist. Seedlings sprout usually take time to appear, say up to three months.
Conclusion On Maharani Alocasia
Maharani Alocasia being a bold and compact plant makes them great for a houseplant. Propagating and caring for this plant is pretty similar to other plants that are underMaharani family.
FAQ’s
Is Alocasia Maharani rare?
Alocasia Maharani is a type of rare tropical houseplant and this bold and compact plant is a good choice to add to your collection of plants.
How big can Alocasia Maharani get?
The plant of Alocasia Maharani can grow up to 14 inches high but they don’t grow so big. But their round leaves can be around 5 to 8 inches in size.
Are Alocasia Maharani and Melo the same?
Alocasia Maharani technically looks similar to Melo because of their dark grey hue and deep ridging. However, these two plants differ because and Melo plant looks different because of the light venation inherited from the Black velvet.
Do Alocasia Maharani like to be root bound?
Indeed, the plant of Alocasia Maharani prefers to be a bit root bound so it does not require repotting every year because yearly.
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.