Looking for a spectacular houseplant that really catches the eye? It’s hard to go wrong with the genus Alocasia, especially a relatively recent cultivar known as Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’. All of the flair of its parent plant, Alocasia amazonica, but in a more compact package perfect for smaller spaces!
Keep reading for everything you need to know about Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ plant care, with extensive growing tips for helping this aroid thrive indoors.
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As a proud owner of an Amazon elephants ear plant, I know just how frustrating it can be when those tiny little nematodes start attacking the roots After all, we put so much love and care into raising our beautiful plants – it’s only natural to feel upset when pests threaten their health!
But don’t worry, I’ve been battling nematodes for years and I’m here to share all my tried and tested tips to get rid of them for good. With a few simple techniques, we can stop nematodes from damaging our precious elephant ear plants and restore them to their former glory.
Identifying When Nematodes are Present
The first step is learning how to spot the signs of a nematode infestation. These little pests are microscopic roundworms that live in the soil, and they feed on plant roots. They can cause major damage, but the good news is nematodes often show some telltale signs of their presence
- Stunted or slow growth
- Wilting, yellowing, or drooping leaves
- Small knots or galls on the roots
- Overall lack of vigor
If you notice any of these on your Amazon elephant ear it’s time to take action. The sooner you deal with nematodes the less harm they can cause.
Natural and Organic Ways to Tackle Nematodes
Modern pesticides might seem like the easiest nematode fix, but I always prefer to start with natural options first. Chemicals often cause more harm than good by killing beneficial insects or damaging the soil ecosystem. Here are some organic methods I’ve used with great success:
Apply Neem Oil
Extracted from the neem tree, this natural oil disrupts the nematode lifecycle when applied to soil. It’s safe for people and plants when used as directed. I like to dilute neem oil and gently water it around the base of my elephant ear about once a month in summer.
Introduce Marigolds
The roots of marigold plants release compounds that naturally deter nematodes. Planting marigolds around your elephant ear creates a “protective barrier” against the pests. I like to use marigolds as edging plants for my elephant ears. Their bright orange flowers look beautiful too!
Improve Soil Health
Adding organic compost or manure enriches the soil with beneficial microbes that help suppress nematode populations. I amend my elephant ear pots with compost twice a year to support healthy soil.
Solarize the Soil
This technique uses the sun’s heat to kill nematodes and other pests. Simply lay plastic sheeting over infested soil for 4-6 weeks during hot weather. The heat penetrates and destroys the pests. I solarize problem spots before planting each spring.
When to Use Chemical Treatments
If you’ve tried the organic methods without success, chemical control might be needed. But use pesticides judiciously – they can harm beneficial insects, earthworms and microbes that keep your soil healthy. Here are two options:
Apply Nematicide
These pesticides are formulated to specifically target and eliminate nematodes. Always carefully follow label directions – incorrect use can damage your plant’s roots. I use nematicides as a last resort for serious infestations.
Fumigate the Soil
This involves releasing nematicide gases into the soil to kill pests. It’s effective but has safety concerns, so should be done by professionals. I’ve had to fumigate only once when nematodes heavily damaged my garden.
Prevent Nematodes from Returning
Getting rid of your current nematode problem is only half the battle – you need to prevent future infestations too. Here are my top tips:
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Rotate plantings – avoid planting elephant ear in the same spot each year
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Remove and destroy severely infested plants
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Check soil health regularly and amend as needed
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Consider nematode-resistant elephant ear varieties
Caring for Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’
When considering care factors like light and temperature for your Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’, keep in mind its grandparents’ tropical rainforest habitat. Species in the undergrowth don’t receive direct sun—taller trees block out the strongest rays—but they aren’t in the dark either. In the home, your plant will appreciate a windowsill spot with plenty of light, but not too much harsh sun.
Because the areas Alocasias naturally inhabit never experience much of a chill, they haven’t evolved to withstand the cold. You’ll have to keep yours warm in the home. Room temperature is ideal, although warmer won’t be an issue either. Just try to keep the temperature above 65°F to prevent your Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ from thinking it’s time to go into hibernation.
Tropical rainforests are pretty humid places and that’s exactly what Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ will need in the home as well. Keep your plant’s soil lightly moist at all times, especially during the warm summer months. You can let it dry a little further during winter, but never completely.
When it comes to humidity, it can be helpful to use a hygrometer (humidity meter) to figure out whether you’re good or need to take action. It should read 50 percent or higher for a happy Alocasia. (This is the hygrometer I use indoors.)
If it’s significantly lower, your plant can suffer, so consider one or more of the following options:
- Placing your Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ in a more humid area in the home. The kitchen or bathroom can be more humid and work well if they offer sufficient light.
- Grouping plants together so they can take advantage of the moisture each one expels.
- Running a humidifier near your plant.
- Using a greenhouse cabinet, terrarium, or humidity box lined with sphagnum peat moss.
The genus Alocasia forms part of the family Araceae, the aroids (a group that includes popular houseplants like Syngonium podophyllum, Monstera deliciosa, and Rhaphidophora tetrasperma). The majority of these plant prefer a loose, well-draining soil type. Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ is no exception.
It really doesn’t appreciate compact mixes, which prevent air from getting to the roots and might not drain quickly enough. Sure, this cultivar likes its soil lightly moist, but that’s not the same as soaking wet: the medium should let excess water drain quickly to prevent the corm from rotting.
Most houseplant enthusiasts report their Alocasias thriving best in special aroid soil, which may or may not contain potting soil.
Although you can buy aroid soil from specialty plant shops, it’s also pretty easy to make yourself with the right ingredients. All you need is something to retain a bit of moisture (like sphagnum moss, potting soil, or coco coir) paired with elements that promote drainage (like orchid bark, perlite, pumice charcoal, etc.).
An example of an easy mix could be potting soil, bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss in equal quantities.
As for the perfect planter, you’re good as long as it has a drainage hole. This species isn’t too fussy about pot size, although you should repot to a larger container if the soil starts drying out too quickly or the roots stick out of the drainage hole.
Recommended products for Alocasia plant care:
Alocasias like this one aren’t heavy feeders, but they still appreciate a boost from time to time during the spring and summer growing months. You can use a diluted regular houseplant fertilizer once a month during watering.
Stop fertilizing during the winter months, if your Alocasia isn’t growing well or if it shows signs of going dormant (see more on that below). It won’t be able to take up the extra nutrients.
Recommended fertilizers for Alocasia:
Your Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ generally won’t need any pruning, except maybe to remove the occasional tattered or dried-up leaf. If your plant has grown too large for your taste, you’re better off having a look at the section on propagation below!
As mentioned earlier, you probably won’t have to repot your Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ too frequently, at least not to a larger planter. The plant likes to be slightly rootbound, so it only needs to be repotted once every few years, if needed. Still, it does appreciate some fresh soil from time to time. Repotting is best done during the spring and summer growing months.
During repotting, you can usually choose to also divide an Alocasia. What looks like one plant above the soil can actually consist of multiple corms and clumps, each with their own root systems. These can be potted up separately if you prefer multiple smaller plants over a single large one.
How do you bring a dormant Alocasia back?
Alocasias, including Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly,’ can go dormant. This is a protective reaction that happens if they’re kept too cold or dark. It can happen in winter if your windowsills tend to get chilly!
A dormant Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ will stop growing and most likely shed its foliage. It can end up reduced to nothing but a corm in the soil, but that doesn’t mean it’s dead. Once things warm up in springtime, you can try to wake it up. If the corm is still firm, it’ll likely come back fine.
Here’s how you do it:
- Provide warmth: Place the planter on a heat mat or inside a clear plastic bag to keep the heat in.
- Provide light: Find a spot near a window or consider supplementing with artificial light.
- Provide water: Preferably lukewarm. Think jungle rainstorm.
Keep this up, without soaking the soil too much, and you should see the first signs of life within a few weeks.
How To Get Rid Of Nematodes | Eliminate Bad Nematodes and Grubs Organically!
How do you care for elephant ear plants?
To care for elephant ears, grow the plants in moist, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. Elephant ear plants require plenty of humidity and need regular watering to grow fast. Apply a high nitrogen fertilizer regularly to encourage growth. Growing indoors, put the elephant ear plant in indirect sunlight.
How do I get rid of elephant ear?
Elephant ear’s large foliage also shades out and kills native vegetation. Getting rid of elephant ears is no simple task. It requires persistence. Removing unwanted elephant ear plants involves using herbicides as well as actually digging up the aggressive tubers.
How do insects kill elephant ear plants?
These work through several mechanisms, although commonly by penetrating the insect’s cuticles, drying them out, and leading to dehydration and death. Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, can help manage pest infestations on elephant ear plants.
How do you care for Alocasia elephant ear?
The best way to care for the Alocasia elephant ear plant is to avoid temperature extremes. In summer, keep the Alocasia pot out of cold airflow from AC units or drafts from doors or windows. In winter, avoid placing the plant pot near hot air vents or radiators. Alocasia Amazonica needs at least 50 percent humidity to grow well indoors.