Those are corms, and your only way to duplicate your Alocasia. There can be many ways you’d want to create a new alocasia plant.
For me, Alocasias haven’t been the easiest houseplant to care for. They’re pretty picky and need environments to be almost exactly what they want, or else. It’s easy to send your Alocasia into dormancy when conditions aren’t ideal for the plant.
I like to think of taking cuttings, or in this case – a corm to be a way to create more of your favorite plant, or to have a backup in case things go south. I’ll go over step-by-step instructions on how you can successfully grow Alocasias just from a bulb/corm.
Alocasias can’t be propagated as easily as a houseplant like a Pothos. Alocasias don’t have nodes to plop into water. So, you may be wondering
Alocasias can only be propagated by division. This basically means that in order to create another copy of that plant you’ll need to grow a completely new one first. These new Alocasia plants only come from one place – a corm. You can either wait for a new sprout to emerge from the soil, or you could wait until your Alocasia needs to be repotted and harvest those little bulbs.
Corms will only develop roots and new growth in super high humidity, so placing the corms into a terrarium or a jar (big enough for it to grow a bit) will set you up for a successful propagation.
Essentially a corm is seed like, in the way a new plant will sprout from the bulb. They are small and round with points on each end. They are also covered in a brown shell resembling the inner shell of a peanut, it can be super thick or thin.
The points on each end are either the point where the bulb was attached to the mother plant and where a new leaf will emerge.
The bulb/corm might still be attached to the mother plant under the soil, which is sending nutrients to the bulb to grow. But corms don’t need this to grow into new plants. You can simply detach it from the mother plant or even in some cases its already detached and place it in a propagate substrate – like sphagnum moss.
Once your Alocasia is carefully removed from the pot, locate the corms. They will be nested in the root ball. You can also find some in the soil if they have become attached.
Remove the outer shells. Some shells can come off easily and some may need to soak. If you have a stubborn corm shell soak it in room temp water overnight. This should soften up the shell.
Once all the brown outer shell is removed, clean off the corms to reveal a creamy white bulb.
Take your pre-moistened moss and place in the propagation vessel. Make a little indentation in the moss with your finger where the corm will go
Place the corm/bulb with the growth point facing up. Make sure the part that was detached from the mother plant is down into the moss.
Gently push the moss on the sides of the corms to make sure they don’t roll around or fall over on the side.
Put a small amount of moss on top of the corms to keep the entire vessel moist. This will also help maintain that high humidity these little bulbs need.
Place your vessel in a closed container, like a propagation box or a terrarium. When you find a new home for these bulbs to grow, make sure they are also in a bright area with no direct sun rays.
Over the next few weeks, you’ll start to notice roots growing, and over time a new leaf will sprout. Once the roots have developed and leaves are growing you can now replant your Alocasia in your growing medium and enjoy your new plant!
When you grow Alocasias from a bulb/corm, I would suggest using sphagnum moss placed in a terrarium or a propagation box.
Biggest advice I can give with this process is – be patient. This will be a slow experiment, but well worth it in the end.
Alocasias for me have been a hit or miss, so I make sure I snag that insurance policy in the form of a corm/bulb to make sure I can have a clone of that plant if we decide to part ways.
Collecting and harvesting corms/bulbs is honestly – pretty fun. Especially watching them grow. To grow Alocasias from a bulb/corm can be tricky and trying at times. But after you get the hang of it, you’ll be propagating corms like crazy.
Just be careful – you might find yourself with a house full of Alocasias before you know it.
The African mask plant, also known as Alocasia, is an exotic and striking houseplant. With its large, vibrant leaves, it can add a touch of the tropics to any indoor space. If you already have one of these beautiful plants, you may be interested in propagating it to create more African mask plants. Propagating your own plants can allow you to expand your collection or share these amazing plants with others. Luckily, propagating African mask plants is a relatively straightforward process.
Why Propagate African Mask Plants?
There are several great reasons to propagate your African mask plant:
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Multiply your plants. By propagating, you can turn one plant into two, three, or more without having to buy new plants. This allows you to expand your indoor jungle.
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Share with friends. Propagated plants make wonderful gifts for other plant lovers. Sharing cuttings is an easy way to spread the love.
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Refresh overgrown plants. Sometimes these plants can become overgrown or leggy. Taking cuttings helps refresh the plant’s look.
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Save a dying plant. If your plant is partly dying, you can propagate the healthy parts and discard the dead.
How to Propagate African Mask Plants
Propagating African mask plants is done through dividing the rhizomes Follow these simple steps
Step 1: Remove Plant from Pot
Carefully remove your African mask plant from its pot Gently loosen the soil and roots with your hands to make division easier,
Step 2: Divide the Rhizomes
Look for natural divisions or offshoots at the base of the plant. Use clean, sharp shears or a knife to divide the rhizomes into separate sections.
Step 3: Prepare New Pots
Fill small pots with a well-draining potting mix. Create a hole in each pot for the divided rhizomes.
Step 4. Plant Divided Rhizomes
Place each divided rhizome section in a prepared pot. Firm the soil gently around the roots and rhizome.
Step 5. Water and Position
Water thoroughly after planting. Place in a warm spot with indirect sunlight.
Caring for New Plants
With proper care, your propagated plants will flourish:
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Keep soil moist but not soaked. Let the top inch dry between waterings.
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Give medium to bright indirect light. Avoid direct hot sun which can scorch leaves.
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Maintain warm temperatures around 70-80°F.
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After a few months, repot into larger containers. Discard smaller starter leaves.
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Fertilize every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Tips for Successful Propagation
Follow these tips to ensure your new plants thrive:
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Divide in spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing for the best results.
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Select a mature, healthy parent plant with well-established stems and rhizomes.
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Use clean, sharp tools to minimize damage to the plant. Wipe tools with alcohol between cuts.
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Keep humidity high by misting often or using a pebble tray.
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Avoid direct sun which can damage tender new growth.
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Pot firmly to anchor the division in place but avoid compacting too tightly.
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Wait to fertilize until new growth is established, about 4-6 weeks after potting.
Troubleshooting Propagation Issues
If your propagated plants struggle, check for these common issues:
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Slow growth – Low temperatures or insufficient light may be slowing growth. Move to a warmer spot or use a grow light.
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Leaves drooping – Plants may be getting too much or too little water. Check soil moisture and adjust watering frequency.
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Few roots – High temperatures can inhibit root development. Move plant to a shadier, cooler location.
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Leaf yellowing – Overwatering can cause root rot and yellow leaves. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Leggy growth – Insufficient light leads to weak, leggy growth. Provide brighter filtered light.
Key Takeaways on African Mask Plant Propagation
Propagating African mask plants through division is an easy, rewarding way to expand your plant collection. Follow these key tips:
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Divide rhizomes in spring or summer using clean, sharp tools.
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Plant divided sections in small pots filled with well-draining soil.
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Provide warm temperatures, indirect light, and frequent misting.
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Hold off on fertilizer for 4-6 weeks until new growth is established.
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Troubleshoot issues like slow growth by adjusting light, temperature, or watering.
With the right care, your propagated African mask plants will flourish, allowing you to enjoy more of these exotic beauties in your home. Dividing these amazing plants is a great way for both novice and expert gardeners to expand their plant collections.
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Step-By-Step BEST Way to Propagate Alocasia from Corms | Propagating Alocasia Bulbs (Corms)
FAQ
How to propagate an African mask plant?
How to propagate Alocasia from cuttings?
Do African mask plants like to be root bound?
How do you propagate African mask plants?
The best way to propagate your African mask plant is by division. They do not produce viable seeds, and cannot be multiplied by the leaves alone. In the spring or summer, gently remove the plant from its pot and tease apart the roots. If necessary you can use a sharp, sterile knife to separate the rhizomes.
How do you care for an African mask plant?
The watering requirements for the African Mask plant vary depending on the season. The plant needs to be watered frequently in the summer, but much less so in winter. Keep the soil moist but not wet. These plants are also prone to root rot. This plant requires a warm climate to thrive.
Do African mask plants need a lot of sunlight?
African Mask Plants struggle in low light and bright, indirect sunlight. The ideal place for your plant is a spot with nice natural bright but indirect light. If your plant receives too much intense direct sunlight during summer, it can dry out, scorch and burn the leaves.
How tall do African mask plants grow?
The round stems grow from tuberous rhizomes, and can reach heights of around 2-4’ tall, depending on the type. The most common variety of an African mask plant is Alocasia amazonica. But there are two other cultivars, the ’Bambino’ and ‘Polly’, that are also popular.