Alocasia Jacklyn: The Ultimate Guide to Growing and Caring for this Exquisite Houseplant.
Alocasia Jacklyn, aka Alocasia Tandurusa, scientifically called Alocasia Sulawesi sp. comes from the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, Asia. It thrives on the forest floors of the Sulawesi mountains in dappled sunlight and prefers warm, humid temperatures. It is valued mainly for its beautiful foliage.
This rare and unique plant is highly sought after by plant collectors and tropical plant lovers for its ornamental properties. It is evident why when you look at the leaves. They are vibrant green to dark green. The edges are fingered, resembling deer antlers or an arrowhead. The pattern on the leaf is also delightful.
The entire leaf is covered in patterned lines highlighted by darker green veins. The outline of the leaf has a line of green edging, and the veins are pronounced in blackish-green or dark purple. The leaf gives a feathery sensation to the touch. The speckled stems are equally beautiful, adding to their ethereal look. Alocasia Jacklyn is a newcomer to the houseplant arena and is considered a mutation of another Alocasia variety, Alocasia portei.
- Botanical name: Alocasia Sulawesi sp.
- Common names: Alocasia Jacklyn, Alocasia Tandurusa
- Family: Araceae
- Originates from: The mountains of Sulawesi island in Indonesia
- Mature size: 5-8 ft. in height with a spread of 4 ft.
- Plant type: perennial, tuber, bulb
- Light requirement: Indirect light, partial shade
- Soil type: Acidic, moist, and well-draining soil
- Toxicity: Toxic to both humans and animals.
All you Need to Know About How to Grow and Care for Alocasia Jacklyn Tandurusa.
This unique ornamental Alocasia is quite rare. However, if you find one and give the plant what it needs to grow, you will have a beautiful, thriving plant. While growing and proving to be one of the best plants you have had is not difficult, constant care is necessary. Keep reading for all the tips and recommendations to help you grow this striking Alocasia.
Where to place your Alocasia Jacklyn.
Any place that gets ample bright indirect sunlight is ideal. While the plants need bright light, direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. Remember that its native habitat is a tropical forest floor with dappled sunlight. Placing the house plant a few feet away from a widow with sunlight will work well.
One easy mistake many plant owners make is not giving the plant adequate sunlight, which is vital for healthy plants. The plant can be outdoors during the summer if the nights do not get cold. Sufficient sunlight will maintain the leaf color and healthy growth. You can also place the plant in areas that don’t have much sunlight if you supplement it with grow lights.
How to Water Your Alocasia Jacklyn.
Keep your Alocasia Jacklyn plant growing in constantly moist soil but not waterlogged. You should try and reproduce its natural habitat conditions to encourage proper growth. Lack of water is not tolerated well by Alocasia Jacklyn. The leaves may also turn brown and wilt away if the plant doesn’t get sufficient water.
A balanced watering schedule once or twice a week will keep the plant happy. Watering intervals can be longer during winter as the plant only needs a little water. Balancing the watering schedule will be up to you. You can test the soil for moisture levels and water the plant accordingly. Allow the top layer of soil to dry out before watering again. Minimal watering is the best way to avoid root rot.
Type of Soil that is Best for Growing Alocasia Jacklyn.
When growing Alocasia Jacklyn in a pot, you have to use soil that is a pre-made aroid blend. You can purchase an aroid blend commercially or make one to suit the plant’s requirements. The soil should drain excess water but keep it constantly moist as well. Too much dampness or being waterlogged prevents the roots from extracting oxygen. Excessive dampness starts root rot if allowed to remain for long periods.
To prepare a soil mix at home, take a regular potting mix and add equal parts of perlite and peat moss or coco coir. The soil drainage properties of the mix can be enhanced by adding horticultural charcoal, vermiculite, orchid bark, perlite, or coarse sand.
Humidity and Temperature Maintenance of Alocasia Jacklyn.
Alocasia Jacklyn loves warm temperatures like its native tropical habitat. The plant will thrive in warm environments. Warm temperatures must be combined with high humidity for the plant’s comfort zone and require at least 60% humidity. Low humidity levels can be increased using a humidifier close to the plant. A pebble tray nearby will also help the humidity levels surrounding the plant.
Alocasia Jacklyn is not a plant that will do well in cold conditions. Maintain warm temperatures of more than 15 degrees Celsius and a humid environment around the plant.
When and How to Fertilize your Alocasia Jacklyn Tandurusa.
Organic fertilizer is the best choice for Alocasia Jacklyn, as chemical fertilizers can damage the plant. Slow-release plant fertilizers are ideal for this plant as there is little chance of overdosing on nutrients. Another method uses fertilizer diluted to half strength to protect the delicate root system from damage. Fertilizing is done only in the Spring and summer, not winter.
How to Propagate Alocasia Jacklyn.
Adding to your collection of Alocasia Jacklyn is easy. The plant is a fast grower, given the right conditions. This tuberous perennial is best propagated in Spring and summer, the growing season for Alocasia Jacklyn, to ensure successful propagation.
This beautiful plant can be grown in water or soil. Things to get ready before the process starts are:
- Small pots or containers
- Sharp sterilized knife or shears
- Water that has been left to sit for a day or two so that the chlorine can settle at the bottom
- Plastic wrap or cling wrap
- Aroid potting mix
- Sphagnum moss or coconut coir
1. Take the mature Alocasia Jacklyn plant and slowly ease it out of the pot. Carefully remove excess soil around the rhizomes or tubers to reveal possible divisions. The tubers will be in clusters which can be divided into new plant starter divisions by cutting each piece with some roots and stems.
2. Now, the divided plant sections of the rhizome can be inserted into pots filled with a suitable aroid potting mix combined with sphagnum moss or coconut coir to increase drainage properties while keeping the soil moist.
3. If you are propagating in water, place the plant sections in the containers with water and cover them with a clear plastic bag or use cling wrap.
4. In a few weeks, you will see roots starting to grow. At this stage, you can transfer the plants into bigger pots with the appropriate soil mix and place them in medium to bright indirect sunlight where they can easily thrive.
How to Overcome Plant Diseases, Common Pests, and Other Common Problems
Common pests
Usually, houseplant pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and scale can also attack your Alocasia Jacklyn plants. Regular checking of the leaves and petioles will show bug infestations. You can remove these bugs and minimize the damage they cause by wiping down the leaves and petioles with rubbing alcohol. You can also use an insecticidal soap. Neem oil is another remedy to keep the bugs away.
Plant diseases
This plant is not prone to problems as long as you provide the right conditions and will grow quite well. However, there can be some problems that are easy to detect and remedy.
The following tips will help you do just that:
· Leaves become brown and brittle – brown leaves indicate two things. First, your plant may not have sufficient water. Secondly, your Alocasia Jacklyn may not have enough light. Thirdly, if brown spots appear on the leaves, the leaves are getting too much light. Move away from direct sunlight or remove any grow lights nearby.
· Yellowing of leaves – Leaves of the Alocasia Jacklyn plant turn yellow when there is a problem with watering. It can be due to overwatering or underwatering. When you see leaves turning yellow, adjust the watering schedule to bring them back to the usual vibrant color. When the roots are allowed to stand in water, it can lead to root rot. Immediately rectify this problem by draining the soil or adding fresh potting mix.
· Drooping leaves – Many factors can cause your Alocasia Jacklyn plant leaves to droop. Insufficient nutrients, unsuitable temperature, or insufficient light lead to drooping leaves. Other causes that make the leaves droop can be overwatering and underwatering. In some instances, this is caused by transplanting shock and will correct itself in a week or two provided the other conditions for growth are met.
Do Alocasia Jacklyn’s Plants Need to be Pruned?
Alocasia Jacklyn is not a plant that requires pruning. Clean the plant by removing dead and dying leaves to encourage new growth. It will keep the plant healthy and allow robust growth. The leaves should be removed by cutting off at the base of the petiole.
When to Repot Alocasia Jacklyn plants.
Alocasia Jacklyn can grow in the same pot for two or three years. You can even think of repotting the plant before this time if it looks cramped and slows down growth. Repotting in a larger pot or container is recommended at this time. You must add fresh well-draining potting mix to accommodate the larger pot. The plant will require watering after replanting.
The growing season of Spring and summer times are the best for repotting. It will be easier for the plant to overcome the strain of repotting.
Best Uses for Alocasia Jacklyn or Alocasia Tandurusa.
Many plant enthusiasts fall in love with the striking appearance of Alocasia Jacklyn plants. Its patterned leaves look almost as if embroidered, and its stems, which are also patterned, are beautiful. The large green leaves add serenity to its environment.
Another unseen benefit of this indoor plant is that it helps to purify the air by getting rid of toxins such as xylene, formaldehyde, and benzene. Also, this plant lets you keep track of the humidity levels in your home and garden, keeping dryness out.
Another advantage of growing this plant is that it is easy to maintain and propagate once established.
Toxicity of Alocasia Jacklyn
All parts of this plant are toxic and should not be ingested. The plant is toxic to both humans and pets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
How big is a mature Alocasia Jacklyn plant?
In the wild, in its tropical mountain home, it can grow to be as tall as 12 feet. When you grow it indoors as a houseplant, it will reach around 3-5 feet. Outdoors in the garden, it will reach heights of 5-6 feet. The spread of the plant can be around 3-6 feet.
Is direct Sunlight good for Alocasia Jacklyn?
Alocasia Jacklyn does not do well in direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves. Indirect bright sunlight and partial shade work best for this plant. Leaf burn cannot be reversed in Alocasia plants.
Will Alocasia Jacklyn survive cold weather?
No, Alocasia Jacklyn is a native of the tropical climate of Sulawesi Island in Indonesia. This tropical plant will not tolerate cold environments but will thrive indoors during cold weather. Keep away from cold drafts.
How big are mature Alocasia Jacklyn leaves?
They can grow up to 18 inches in length. This excellent houseplant becomes more visually appealing as the plant matures. It will liven up any space it is in, indoors or outdoors.