Popular plant enthusiasts love their Alocasia Zebrina due to its prominent zebra-like striped stems and large, shiny leaves. But, as with most tropical plants, it has a rest cycle where growth decreases or pauses for a period of time. Caring for your Alocasia Zebrina during dormancy is a key aspect of maintaining its overall health and ability to thrive in the long run. To many chefs out there, dormancy is confusing or even alarming, but plant cycles include dormancy as a natural and eventual stage. You can find everything about Alocasia Zebrina dormancy in this article and how to cope with your plant during the dormancy time. You will learn how to recognize dormancy, make sure your plant survives this stage and for the best possible rejuvenation.
What Is Dormancy in Alocasia Zebrina?
Plant dormancy is basically just a time in which the plant rests, or growth has slowed down significantly if not stopped completely. Are you aware that Alocasia Zebrina is a mood plant — well … at least like all other tropical plants, it goes dormant because of the drop in temperature, dropping of day length or change in environmental conditions. Alocasia Zebrina can lose some of its leaves during dormancy and you may find that, as with other plants, it will slow down or stop growing altogether. Keep in mind that lying low is not a signal of sickness but an act of conservation. Dormancy allows the plant to preserve energy when environmental factors are not ideal, such as winter in its more natural habitat.
Why your Alocasia Zebrina goes Dormant?
There are a few factors which can cause the Alocasia Zebrina to go dormant. The primary reasons include:
Heat Variations: Being a tropical plant, Alocasia Zebrina grows best at warm temperatures. With the temperature dropping, the plant may go dormant so that it can endure tougher circumstances.
This will include: Reduction of light Alocasia are long-day plants and in their habitat they receive a lot of hours on sun. When the days get shorter, the plant might go dormant.
Water: When grown in the wild, Alocasia Zebrina has wet and dry seasons, and so is adapted to a lack of water for periods of time during which they conserve resources!
Knowing what triggers dormancy can help you predict when this state is likely to happen in your plants, allowing for adjustments to their care.
Alocasia Zebrina Going To Dormancy Signs
The first part of good care for an Alocasia Zebrina will be to notice the signs associated with dormancy. Here are some common signs:
Changing Color: The plant will begin to save fuel, and older leaves may turn yellow and drop off.
Lesser growth: The new leaves of your Alocasia Zebrina might not be sprouting at the same rate as before.
The case of leaves: A few leave will wick out totally when resting, presenting a somewhat less than pleasant display.
Wilting is not always a sure-fire sign of dormancy, but it may be an early warning that your plant is making the move to this stage.
Roots changes: The plant may go dormant through root changes, and its roots might look less active.
When you see any of those, please do not worry, dormancy is probably coming along.
Dormant Watering Changes
Make adjustments in watering during the period of dormancy. The requirement for water during this time is considerably reduced when your Alocasia Zebrina is dormant. The frequency of watering should be lowered during this stage otherwise water may disturb the roots at later stages and cause rot in them. Here’s how to adjust:
Rule out moisture in the soilOne to two inches of soil should dry before watering again (but most plants prefer longer periods between each drink).
Watering: Reduce the watering frequency to once every 2-3 weeks, depending on how warm your indoors are.
Do not overwater: Never let the plant sit in water. Ensure the pot is well drained.
Avoiding root diseases and allowing your plant to save energy by properly keeping the soil dry.
A Dormant Alocasia Zebrina Needs Different Temperature and Humidity
Alocasia Zebrina is tropical and loves warmth. It is important not to overwater or provide too much humidity, so be sure to check your soil moisture content and keep high humidity only when required:
Temperature: No temperature drops, keep this plant in warm temps between 60°F and 70°F 15°C – 21°C. Do not put it in drafts or places with big temperature changes.
Humidity: The Alocasia Zebrina loves humidity. While the plant is dormant, do still maintain humidity at a minimum of 50% — ideally somewhere near to 60%. Use a humidifier or put it on a humidity tray.
Keep these with adequate temperature, humidity goes a long way to preventing stress and allows your plant to rest.
Do you fertilize alocasia zebrina during dormancy?
The plant slows down its metabolism when it is dormant, meaning that the organism needs only minimal nutrition. Fertilizers applied now might just sit in the soil, creating a harmful concentration around tender roots. Here’s what to do:
No Fertilizer: Do not fertilize any additional Alocasia Zebrina during the time of dormancy
Resume Fertilizing After Dormancy: As soon as the plant starts showing new growth (like new leaves) resume fertilizing with a balanced water soluble fertilizer.
When the plant is dormant, reducing fertilizer allows it to rest and reserve energy rather than process nutrients.
Dormancy Light Conditions
While Alocasia Zebrina loves lots of bright, indirect light, they don’t need it nearly as much in dormancy. So, how do you increase or decrease light exposure?
Give Low to Medium Light During Dormancyjust yet, once you know how but address them at the end ofBecome Planets with light, they have a big job onEarth. A dormant plant will still not be able to handle intense direct sunlight and can sunburn.
Maintain Stability: That said, the plant probably won’t require as much light so it can stay in a stable environment (though you don’t want to be doing this ↔️ to its level of light exposure every day).
Appropriately rate of light will conserve energy during this dormant time on your Alocasia Zebrina.
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Dormancy usually influences Alocasia Zebrina flowering. Should your plant send up flowers, the bloom cycle may be interrupted with dormancy. Here’s what to know:
Less Flowers: Expect less or in most cases, no blooming during dormancy. If your plant fails to bloom at this stage, do not panic.
After Dormancy Blooms: When your Alocasia Zebrina comes back from dormancy and begins its active growth period, your plant may begin to flower again.
Having this knowledge helps lower expectations and disappointment when nothing happens in dormancy, as blooms are to be expected gradually.
Bringing Your Alocasia Zebrina Back To Life After Dormancy
With the Alocasia Zebrina coming out of dormancy, it is time to get ready for the growing season.
Follow these steps:
Water More As Soon as Plant Shows New Growth
Resume Fertilizing Resume fertilization to help with the new growth.
More Light: Move the plant somewhere brighter to support growth.
Then with this gentle acclimatization, you will make sure that the plant will recover seamlessly.
Conclusion
Alocasia Zebrina care in dormancy needs patience and detailed attention. You can put your plant into a nice comfy hibernation by decreasing how much you water, bringing the light levels down and not fertilizingԅ. How to identify dormancy and how to care the plant during this period is crucial for proper growth after it restarts its behaviour. With proper care, these tips will keep your Alocasia Zebrina looking beautiful in your indoor gardening space for many growing seasons.
