Alocasia Regal Shield

Instructions

Soil Preference:

1. This plant requires a rich well draining soil mix. Elephant ears LOVE and require lots of water. BUT they cannot have constant wet roots. That encourages root rot in containers.
2. A mix of potting soil, succulent soil mix and orchid soil mix (look for one with a lot of peat and finer bark mix) will keep the roots happiest.
3. Two parts potting soil to two parts succulent mix to two parts orchid bark.
4. A heavy soil potting mix is not recommended for this plant.

Pot Size and Type:

1. Alocasia regal shield needs containers that fit the root size.
2. Any NON porous well drained pot can be used. It MUST have a drainage hole. Terra cotta wicks away water so keep an eye on watering if you use these pots.
3. Repot every second year or when roots come out the drainage holes on the pot bottom.
4. Repot to only the next size pot. DONT put the corm into a large pot. The extra soil will retain too much water for the roots and rot them.

Lighting:

1. Regal Shiled requires bright indirect light
2. Shield this plant from strong direct light in summer south and west sunny windows. The leaves will burn.
3. Tip: Window sheers or blinds can offset some brief periods of high direct light.

Watering:

1. Try a watering schedule of every week. Water thoroughly until the water runs out of the pot.
2. Allow the regal shield to dry almost completely bewtween waterings depending on soil conditions. Well draining soil will allow you to water more often but this plant will get Root Rot is allowed too much moisture around it's corms.
3. Watering is best done on a regular schedule so the plant is not over or under watered. Both can cause stress on the plant.
4. Never let this plant get wet feet.. If the soil is compacted the bottom of the soil can remain wet which encourages root rot and fungus gnats.

Humidity:

1. Regal shields need humidity. Set the container on a pebble tray with water under the pot or provide a humidifier to this tropical plant for best growth and happiness.
2. Do NOT mist the leaves of this plant. It will encourage leaf diseases.
3. Make sure you are not keeping your Regal Shield next to a heat or air vent. This will dramatically lower the humidity level and they will suffer.

How to Fertilize:

1. Regal Shields require regular fertilizing.
2. Apply a good quality fertilizer (linked in materials) monthly through Spring and summer.
3. Alternately you can use a slow release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.
4. Decrease feedings by late Fall and allow the elephant ear to rest through the winter months.

Temperature:

1. Keep this plant at a low of 60 Degrees F. to upward of 85 Degrees F. It enjoys warmth and humidity.

Pests:

1. Alocasia regal shield can be attacked by pests
2. Stress by longterm overwatering, poor light, extreme temperatures and soil conditions are contributors to plant stress.
3. Spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, thrips and whitefly are the most common houseplant pests you will see.
4. Read our post on How to get rid of aphids and other pests with our homemade pesticide soap recipe or neems oil.
5. To minimize the possibility of pests be sure to check all nursery plants before bringing them home.
6. Quarantine all new plants until you are sure no pests live in them.

How to Propagate:

1. This plant is easily propagated through bulb division.
2. When you repot the elephant ear look at the bulb (corm). If you see it has grown a new corm off to the side gently pull the corms apart.
3. Replant each corm into new soil and a separate pot.

Toxicity:

1. Toxin- insoluble calcium oxalates. Keep this plant away from dogs, cats and horses. It is also toxic to humans.
2. While not usually fatal, eating the raw leaves, stem and corm causes oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), and difficulty swallowing.