Alocasia black velvet is a beautiful and unique variety of the Alocasia plant and is very common for its dark, glossy leaves and striking appearance. However, it is not very uncommon when you see the tips of your Alocasia plant turning brown. There are basically five reasons why the Black Velvet species may have this problem. They are improper watering, low light, pests, lack of humidity, and fertilizer issues.
But the good news is the problem is completely curable. In this article, I will tell you all the easy ways to fix Alocasia black velvet plant brown leaves. So why the delay?
Quick Caring Guide
Problem | Solution |
Improper Watering | Watering two or three times a week is a must. |
Sunlight issue | Bright Indirect sunlight is recommended. |
Pests | Use a good quality insecticide. |
Lack of Humidity | 60-70% of the humidity level is recommended. |
Fertilizer Issue | Use slow-release NPK and organic compost. |
Why Does My Alocasia Black Velvet Have Brown Tips?
1. Improper Watering
Dehydration is one of the main reasons for the discoloration of the tips of Alocasia black velvet plants. If your plant doesn’t get enough water regularly, it won’t be able to perform its biological functions correctly. As a result, your plant will show you various symptoms.
Basically wilting, discoloration, and stem bending are the main symptoms of black velvet plant dehydration. Also, if the soil becomes completely dehydrated, your plant may die.
Fixing Guide
The black velvet variety of Alocasia generally prefers moderate watering. That means you have to test the soil before applying water. That’s why a moisture meter can be very useful (Our Pick: SONKIR Soil pH Meter, MS02 3-in-1 Soil Moisture/Light/pH Tester). Generally, 2.5-3 inches deep watering 2-3 times a week is sufficient.
Since these species prefer moist soil, the soil should never be allowed to dry out completely. You can use a piece of thick cloth at the base of the plant. After that, put some pebbles there and apply water to them. It helps the soil to stay wet for a long time.
It is best to have a watering plan for Alocasia black velvet. Filtered water should be used to protect plants from excess chlorine in the water.
2. Sunlight Issue
You can’t imagine how much the absence of adequate sunlight can damage your black velvet plant. Since Elocasia is an indoor plant, you may not care about its need for sunlight. But your plant won’t survive too long in low light.
Whenever you put your plant in such conditions, its most important process called photosynthesis is disrupted. Which will negatively affect all biological activities of your plant.
If you pay close attention, you will see that the plant will lose some vitality first. Later growth will gradually stop, the leaves will dry up and turn yellow and brown, and if remaining dark for a long time the plant will die.
Too much sunlight is also responsible for browning the tips of your plants. If the plant is exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, it suffers from sunburn. As a result, the tips of the leaves burn and form a brown border.
Fixing Guide
Before planting everyone should know about the basic requirements. The Alocasia black velvet plant prefers bright indirect sunlight. That is, you have to choose a location where the sun does not shine directly but the sunlight and heat are fully available.
If your plant is placed in very low light or darkness and brown tips occur, move it immediately. If indoors, you can shift it to the north or east-facing window of your home. Mirrors can be used to reflect sunlight for shaded locations in the landscape.
If the plant is exposed to the excessive sun in the landscape, immediately protect it with a shade cloth. It is best to find a location that meets all the requirements before planting outdoors.
3. Pests
Pest infestation should also be kept in mind for browning the leaves of Alocasia black velvet. It’s very common for Insects like mealybugs, aphids, and scales to attack your plants at any time.
When your plant is getting water at the right time, getting the right amount of sunlight and it still has problems like the browning of the tips then you need to check the plant very closely. If any movement of small living things is confirmed, it is definitely an insect attack.
Fixing Guide
It is important to take quick action when pest infestation is confirmed. Because even though they are small in size, they cause serious damage to plants.
Pest treatment depends on the stage of infestation and the number of insects. If it is an early infestation stage and the number of insects is not very high, the entire plant should be sprayed thoroughly with potassium permanganate solution and wiped with a clean cloth.
After that wait for some time. If the infection happens again then you have to think about chemical treatment. You can use any good quality insecticides. However, you must follow the instructions on the label.
Affected leaves usually do not recover, so they should be pruned. However, care should be taken not to damage healthy leaves. Pruning tools must be thoroughly sterilized.
4. Lack of Humidity
Dry air is harmful to any species of Alocasia plant. If your plant is in a location where humidity levels are low and the amount of moisture in the air is also low, your plant will easily become dehydrated.
As a result, the plant is unable to execute its normal functions properly and will show symptoms such as wilting, browning, and drooping of leaves.
Fixing Guide
High humidity is essential for the frequent growth of red velvet plants. So you must maintain a 60-70% humidity level. The best way is to use a humidifier.
You can shift it to your kitchen or washroom for a few days to ensure a high-humidity environment immediately. Never keep the plant in an AC room.
If your plant is in the landscape, you will need to do freshwater misting regularly. In this case, it is better to use rainwater. Besides, many plants cannot be planted together in the same place.
5. Fertilizer Issue
Both over-fertilizing and lack of nutrients are responsible for black velvet plant leave turning brown. If you don’t feed the plant enough fertilizer during the growing season, it will be deficient in several nutrients.
Especially nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. As a result, the leaves of the plant may turn yellow and later turn brown due to a lack of nitrogen. Besides, iron deficiency causes chlorosis in the leaves. As a result, the tips may turn brown.
If you over-fertilize your plants, excess salinity will cause fertilizer burn, the leaves will burn and the tips will turn brown.
Fixing Guide
First of all, it should be ascertained whether the problem is due to excess fertilizer or lack of fertilizer. If you see extra fertilizer powder unabsorbed at the base of your plant then it is fertilizer burn.
In that case, you quickly need to remove the excess salt from the base of the plant. Apply plenty of water to the plant. If that doesn’t work, the soil should be changed as soon as possible.
If the leaf color becomes yellow and later converted to brown, then the problem is nitrogen or iron deficiency. In this case, the application of slow-release NPK (20-20-20) is effective. I usually spray liquid iron on the leaves of my alocasia to compensate for iron deficiency. You can also use chelated iron powder.
By selecting good quality soil before planting, you can protect your plant from such problems. Always choose loose and well-drained soil. A few rounds of organic compost application after planting is also very effective.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Q: How should I water my Alocasia Black Velvet to prevent brown tips?
Ans: Alocasia Black Velvet prefers slightly moist soil. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, allowing excess water to drain out. Ensure that the plant is not sitting in waterlogged conditions, as this can lead to root rot and brown tips.
Q: Can I trim the brown tips off my Alocasia Black Velvet leaves?
Ans: Yes, you can trim the brown tips using clean and sharp scissors or pruning shears. Trim just above the healthy, green portion of the leaf. Regularly removing brown tips can improve the overall appearance of the plant.
Q: Does Alocasia Black Velvet Like Acidic Soil?
Ans: Alocasia black velvet plant prefers slightly acidic soil. Soil pH should be 5.5-6.5. Besides, the soil should have an adequate water drainage system. And plenty of organic matter should be added to the soil before planting.
Q: Which Fertilizer Is Best For Alocasia?
Ans: Every 2-3 weeks during the growing season, give your alocasia black velvet plant a half-strength fertilizer for consistent growth. A suitable option is a water-soluble 20-20-20 NPK fertilizer mixture.
Q: Is Alocasia Black Velvet Hard To Grow?
Ans: When it comes to the level of maintenance, Alocasia Black Velvet is regarded as being fairly simple. They can withstand moderately lower light levels. It only needs to be watered frequently and doesn’t need much maintenance. Regularly keeping the area around the plant clean will protect it from insects and diseases.
Q: What humidity levels does the Alocasia Black Velvet require?
Ans: Alocasia Black Velvet thrives in high-humidity environments. To increase humidity, you can use a humidifier, place the plant on a pebble tray with water, or group it with other plants to create a microclimate. Misting the leaves can also help, but be cautious not to mist excessively.
Conclusion
Generally, Alocasia black velvet is a low-maintenance, quick-growing plant. It is possible to maintain these plants’ health and growth for many years by providing them with the right care and attention.
However, if you suspect any problems with your Alocasia Black Velvet plant, such as improper watering, excessive sun exposure, pests, fertilizer, etc. may be the reason for the brown tips, follow all of my guidelines and observe whether the plant’s health improves. Hopefully, by following these you will be able to fix your plant very easily.
Happy Gardening.
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