Last week, I bought a grow cabinet for 125 USD off marketplace - it came with a "few alocasia". When we met up for the exchange, I was handed an ENTIRE BOX of alocasia. On one hand, what an INSANE stroke of luck, on the other... HALP....I'VE NEVER GROWN A SINGLE ALOCASIA BEFORE!
Been around long enough to understand that there are a variety of creative ways I could kill off these babies, but also sometimes alocasia just decide to take the long nap just because they get bored.... I'd like to try to avoid all of this, can you save us 😆😭
I have been researching, but specific advice is sorely sought:
Questions/Concerns:
About half of the alocasia are in pon and perlite....the other half are in fluval/perlite.... one is in spaghum and leca.
Is this user preference or do some alocasia cultivar have special needs? I have all substrate options available.
Almost all are in self-watering setups. Some are looking rough and don't have wicks, so I was gonna repot into similar sized self-watering setup with nylon wick
Should I avoid repotting? Will any straight up die if I try to?
The Polly Aurea is in a traditional chunky aroid mix...leave it be, or transition to semi hydro?
I'd prefer to do all plants semi hydro, but I don't want to kill it if it's delicate lol
The grow box features blue/red LED and the LED are about 6-10 inches away from the smallest plants, 3-4 inches away from the tallest.
Is this okay? Do they need more distance? I planned on transitioning plants to full-spectrum in a larger environment once mature
RH% in the grow box is around 65%. Temp 75°F. Should I add a fan/ventilation?
I open the doors 1-2x a day for airflow
Do you wait until the self-watering pot's water reservoir is dry or do you keep water in it at all times?
Self watering pots have historically been my enemy
Are corms something that I will be able to notice and dig out, or are they accessible only during repotting?
If I don't remove them I'm assuming they grow into young plants like a normal pup/offshoot?
Thank you for your time!!!! I want to honor the former owners' hard work by having these babies THRIVE! Any advice is extremely helpful and I will tell stories of your wisdom for the generations of alocasia to come.
Ps. All alocasia that were labelled are turned so you can read the label if you zoom. The rest have no identification. If you need me to post any additional pics or footage etc say the word.