ALOCASIA CUPREA - Plant Spotlight & Care Tips

Hi all,
In todays video I am visiting AJ (aka Growing Grounds) at her greenhouse
#alocasiacuprea #alocasia #aroids #plantspotlight #caretips
For more content follow me on:
- Instagram: / sydneyplantguy
- TikTok: / sydneyplantguy
My Fertiliser is Growth Technology Australia:
Instagram: / gt_growth_technology_au
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - Journey
08:00 What I have learned about this plant

[@Z4U3398]

The reason why Alocasia cuprea doesn't have a large root system is because, in it's native Sarawak home for example the topography is marked by karst mountain chains. Here, A. cuprea roots among the rocky forest floor, typically on slopes so it has little use for deep, penetrative roots. Relying instead on hoovering up whatever antescedent moisture which it stores by having huge, thick, leathery leaves.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Makes sense :) thanks :)

[@izabelarivera5211]

That's really cool piece of info. Thanks for sharing.

[@ellenmcintyre1247]

I love to learn history and geography of plant material!

[@Z4U3398]

@@ellenmcintyre1247 Me too! ;^)

[@DeepSeaLugia]

@@Z4U3398 does Sarawak Mike have a public page? I couldn’t find it

[@kellyduguay3368]

Love the cuprea however Brad's cardboard box was epic! Even southern hemisphere cats prefer cardboard to cushion 😸

[@sydneyplantguy]

Haha he loves that box!!!

[@margiains]

Brad in his cardboard box 😅😍

[@sydneyplantguy]

He LOVES that box

[@devenandplants7253]

I can add some useful advice into this video, as I'm a one-trick alocasia growers (mostly jewel alocasias). Root rot and pests are the two main things that you should be prepared for. + For substrate, I personally use pumice, leca and activated charcoal, they dont hold too much water. I've tried many growing media, it's really difficult. + They don't like "complete soak" method of watering. You should water them bit by bit, for me it's weekly. Just enough water to moisten the substrate. Wipe the leaves weekly or bi-weekly, it helps with the pests

[@shnuggumz]

@Deven, what else do you mix with the leca and pumice for growing substrate? Which nutrients are you using and how frequently if you don’t mind sharing? Light conditions?

[@ButterflyLoverGirl]

Wiping down the leaves weekly and checking them every few days for spider mites is a must!!! Spider mites have always been my #1 issue with Alocasia (Colocasias too) and they are a nightmare! Consistency is key to keeping them at bay.

[@Naeou]

I keep my alocasias in a glass vessels with a leca reservoir, and I mixed a bit of soil in with my aroid mix instead of coco coir for these cuz soil makes it easier to tell how moist/dry it is in there

[@devenandplants7253]

@@Naeou this is a really temporary way of growing jewel alocasias. They don't have water roots, you'll have to reposition them higher than the water reservoir again and again through the years. My advice is to just grow them in a pot with holes, no reservoir, and with pumice / leca

[@shnuggumz]

@@devenandplants7253 Have you experienced any issues with your alocasias taking up nutrients from the pumice? I read that it doesn’t have a good exchange. Maybe that is why you are mixing leca and pumice together (if I’m understanding correctly). Are you adding anything else in the substrate? I’m purchasing one of these and wish to set up the right way early for best results. Thanks!

[@belindanichols8344]

Happy boy in a cardboard box, he's so gorgeous and needs a spotlight video ❤

[@sydneyplantguy]

He’s the best 🥰🥰

[@Lizzyjo]

Yes! Spotlight video for your Felis catus!

[@firstnamelastname6193]

as stunning as your Cuprea is I am not able to take my eyes off of your cat living his best life!!!!!

[@sydneyplantguy]

He’s the cutest!!! :)

[@irairod5160]

Looking at that gorgeous Alocasia makes me happy, but I'm even MORE so watching your cat enjoy his no-frills, "this-is-what-a cat-actually-dreams-of" cardboard box.

[@torquess454]

I had never heard of the Cuprea until recently seeing (and purchasing!) one at a nursery, now all of a sudden I see them everywhere! They’re stunning!! It reminds me of the colour change paint jobs on fancy cars! Incredible nature made this!!??

[@donnaleighh]

An absolute stunner - oh and Brad in the box

[@sandragoerlich7134]

Just beautiful A cypress, thanks for sharing your care and presentation of the plant, Brad is a happy camper!!!

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@BradleysPlantCorner]

Love this Alocasia! Can't wait to add one to my collection!

[@Wendy-zl8kv]

It’s so gorgeous!! Thank for your experience and care tips

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks Wendy :)

[@kerrytraeger6769]

You really do have the most amazing plants 🪴

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@TropicalGarden]

Amazing what you have done. Mine died countless time with so many silly mistakes n finally gone dormant almost for 6 months

[@hasanova19]

Just amazing 👏

[@lorrainetroughton4778]

Thank you for sharing your journey with the cuprea……I hope to get one soon😍

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@stj88]

First of all....YOUR KITTY BEAR IS ADORABLE 😢....BEAUTIFUL COAT!! Secondly I love your accent so I had to listen...and thirdly YOUR PLANTS ARE GORG!!! I just got a red secret, black velvet, Melo and Amazonica! I'm absolutely in love with them all....thanks for sharing!!!

[@johnluigilamarca8137]

this video is so detailed sorry because I just saw your videos yesterday, so I will continue watching your videos everyday

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@SirgalDelRchannel]

WOW! I love how you showed us what it looks like per month until it got to its amazing sis now. The leaves of this alocasia is amazing! Thank you for all the care and tips of this beautiful plant.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@veronikgiroux5870]

Thanks for all the information and tips! Loved your video❤

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)!

[@JZamarron07]

Love your plants 🪴 😍

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@justinamontgomery2618]

Brad is loving his box! I love how cats love the boxes! Glad to know your name....but I do not know how to spell it?? Please tell me if you would :) What a sight to behold...love this alocasia....I pretty much collect them...I have a dragons breath ordered....from Florida...but the hurricane down there....I am guessing that is why it has not shipped :) I have one alocasia that is huge for years now all year long....it is why I love them all now....I just got a new tiny dancer.....had a smaller one before that did not make it....well after watching this we all have hope what ours could look like someday :) the Jacklynn you have is pretty pricey over here still...maybe someday I could add it if the price drops.....well another show stopper and I am so happy for you and thanks for making us happy out here us internationals! Happy days loving your channel :) My cuprea has 2 leaves and still alive after I snapped it!

[@sydneyplantguy]

We’ve been lucky and have had a lot of alocasias being tissue cultured here so nice and cheap hehe :) you spell it ‘Jan’ but pronounce it ‘Yan’ :)

[@Bojingforever1]

Hi mate, I'm from Sydney Australia too, leaving in Philippines for now.I love your videos. Everyday I'm watching you. I'm amazed on how you take care of your plants that's why I'm one of your subscribers now😁😁😁. You're doing a great job and now I'm trying to follow your footsteps 👣.... we're here in Philippines humid country all year round.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thank you & happy growing :)

[@Naeou]

Brad's side eye at 1:15 from his cardboard box 😂😂😂 Cupreas are popping up every where for me, I am so tempted to get one! At first I didn't like them because they remind me of Predator, but now I kinda enjoying being creeped out by them - maybe its the spooky season, idk!

[@sydneyplantguy]

Haha perfect halloween plant :)

[@wendyacker245]

Did I push the like button before I watched the video? Yes, yes I did. “stupid little flowers “ hahahaha!

[@sydneyplantguy]

Hehe thanks :)

[@ijahdagang6121]

Wow beautiful alocasia plants..love you video..wish you success and be healthy always

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thank you :)

[@ijahdagang6121]

@@sydneyplantguy you're welcome tv

[@sufen712]

Very motivated to buy myself one.

[@ButterflyLoverGirl]

By the way, I follow you on Instagram, and never realized you had a KZbin channel! Thanks for the informative video!

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@moniquepeterson9542]

I have found Cuprea to be the last alocasia to “give up the ghost”. It is vertically just as finicky but tends to hold onto life better than others… and I have run this test multiple times lol.

[@alexanderlopez-noriega3415]

Hermosa planta. SO beautiful. I hope mine develops like yours.

[@aylaloup-lestatJun]

Thank you for this vidéo 💚🇫🇷🙏

[@DavidMoralesPlants]

Great info! 🪴💚✨🤗

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@YW4701]

Sydney Plant Guy and a cat name Brad 🪴😺👋 Think I've got a young cuprea. Bought it from my local garden centre as a alocasia mix. It's in a 2" pot and growing well. I feed all my plants GT Formulex Nutrient Solution and the plants seem to love it. Also, keep it under a grow light with my other alocasia's. For plant care, I'm learning a lot from your content. Often wondered what your name is, but now I know, to me you will still be Sydney Plant Guy. Once again thank you for another informed video.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@AverageJoeLui]

NICE

[@Hannah-tz7gf]

I just ordered a large one (red secret) a few minutes ago. So, here I am lol 👋🏻

[@valiaudet3415]

I'm baaackkk after a quick trip to Bunnings. Quick, yer right 😂 . Had to look at this video for a reminder on Alocasia. I picked up a clearance, needs a lot of love, Alocasia Sinuata😂🎉❤. Fingers 🤞 🤞

[@sydneyplantguy]

Happy growing :)

[@brooklin_bernek]

Omgggg like I had no idea they even grew this dang big hahaha

[@sydneyplantguy]

I reckon they can grow even bigger !! Excited for growing season :)

[@laylauk2654]

Hi Sir, ive grown all kind of Alocasia in leca apart from the African monkey mask that did not like it, so thats back in soil. Great tips thankyou for sharing, much appreciated from England 🇬🇧

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@ekamarie6632]

Okayyy that makes more sense. My cuprea is massive and flailing all over the place. I was gonna give it a “necklace” but I was worried it wouldn’t like it. But of all my Alocasias it’s by far the easiest/most rewarding. Wayyy easier than any poly I’ve had which no one believes me but 🤷‍♀️

[@sydneyplantguy]

Same :D

[@MpMochaPeanut]

seeing this video has made me visit a nearby nursery and get a cuprea home!

[@sydneyplantguy]

Happy growing :)

[@DocJerry]

Dayum sir

[@verdjaboarak6539]

Amazing! I'm using aroid mix, humidifier and grow lights but alocasia won't just do good in my condo. Any more good tips? Thank you.

[@ButterflyLoverGirl]

I only water my Alocasias every 7 to 10 days, depending on what the soil looks and feels like. I have only been using super thrive to feed them, but would like to find something that may work a little better for them. My Cuprea seems to be putting out newer and bigger leaves every week ever since I got it. I'm going to have to put it in my Ikea greenhouse cabinet soon once it stars getting cooler out, but I'm afraid to move it.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Don’t fix what’s not broken :)

[@ellencnixon]

💜💜

[@hedgewitch59]

I bought one because yours is so beautiful but I'm not sure about the droopy leaves. As new leaves grow it seems to get stronger but its sure not my favourite.

[@hildacheung5833]

Your Cuprea is beautiful ❤ I got a sad dying one a month ago at a fair cheap price. Cut off the flower and unhealthy leaves, it s growing new roots and shoot now 😊

[@sydneyplantguy]

Happy growing :)

[@hildacheung5833]

@@sydneyplantguy hi, I have a question regarding fertilizer. I wonder if iron supplement is helpful in houseplants like calathea and alocasia. People use iron in lawns.. what do u think 🤔 ?

[@eight_count]

You may have created a video for this (I haven't looked yet), but you've mentioned your Ikea cabinet in a few videos. What is its set up? You mentioned a light system and a humidity/heat system. I think I might be interested in trying doing a cabinet.

[@shnuggumz]

He did an IKEA cabinet video. Just use the search bar to locate!

[@Uathankicks]

Nice cat box

[@margarytamuskina7982]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💛

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks Rita :)

[@norab7432]

Beautiful! I have one that’s still very much a baby still. Nice to see what it will *hopefully* look like one day!

[@jyvaineorchids2255]

Everyone talking about the alocasia Me: focus on the✨ fluffy Kitty cat tail ✨

[@sydneyplantguy]

Haha he always steels the show :)

[@devenandplants7253]

I had to come back to this video for Brad 🤣🤣🤣

[@sydneyplantguy]

Haha he’s a superstar!!

[@susandsilva1437]

What is the fertiliser you use for your alocasia? I am in Mumbai and I believe we have similar weather to Sydney.

[@VirtuousWoman463]

I just got one of these and I am wondering when do I take it out of the nursery pot.

[@LeafyConversations]

That was a very good point about the lighting of the camera. Mine is “purplish/green” at all times, but I noticed one is turning more green. Do you think that is age of the leaf?

[@sydneyplantguy]

Yes :) mine does the same :)

[@michelleconrey4171]

😂😂😂 stupid little flowers! JK - Great info here as always, thanks, Jan!

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thank you :)

[@lizylize9866]

Love the info. Can you please do a video on your plants and kitty please 🙏🏽. I’m planning on getting a cat and am terrified 😮

[@sydneyplantguy]

Nothing really to say… i do nothing. Brad just isn’t interested :)

[@robertjavierable]

Is there some type of support you use for it? Those leaves look heavy.

[@JazzMeUinFLUSA]

I noticed you really have beautiful and healthy plants. What fertilizers do you use? Thanks.:)

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :) it’s in the description

[@JazzMeUinFLUSA]

@@sydneyplantguy Thank you. :)

[@sepkorn]

Is this the Giant form? Ive seen others also large but different

[@chayareimariebaldonado9159]

Thanks so much for ur advice. My silver dragon died and my dragon scale is currently recovering. I bought a cuprea bc I wanted a second chance I’m sure your advice would work bc I would most it constantly thinking it needed more humidity or even water during dormancy

[@merielangharad977]

Thanks again for such a great informative video. Excellent as always but even more so when we get lots of Brad content. Him in his box 🥰

[@sydneyplantguy]

He’s a superstar :) thanks

[@QM3980]

And then there's me, with a two year old reginula, that dropped her only one leaf and went into dormancy. Will probably wake up again next year in May, will have a leaf at a time while slowly growing her corm. I think I will end up cooking the corm!

[@berlinaroids]

I'll add me, who killed her cuprea by repotting it 2 weeks after I got her. Still have no clue what happened. Best plant moment ever 🤣

[@QM3980]

@@berlinaroids Ahahaha sorry about that! But it helps knowing we're in a club! And you have me rethinking that idea of getting an alocasia melo (stunning, I think, but expensive)

[@sydneyplantguy]

Alocasias can be tricky :) but once they are established they seems to be easier to deal with :)

[@berlinaroids]

@@sydneyplantguy absolutely. It's not my first one though, I have a few ones that are thriving, yet this one ... A real mystery to me as it was well established with plenty leafs and so. But then again there's something I must have done wrong. Yet again, I agree with what you said in another video: it's only nothing bad if u learned from it 🤣🤷

[@HugoCassimiro]

Hi Jan, I have a question haha, when you were repotting the cuprea, did you found any corms/small bulbs?

[@sydneyplantguy]

Just one :) j kept it on and it’s that smaller plant in there now :)

[@ellenmcintyre1247]

So Jan, what would happen if you approached GT Australia Foliage Focus liquid nutrients (the Company) and showed them how many people subscribe to your channel, that would be definitely interested in international shipping of their product? Perhaps provide a link through your channel for that shipping to begin with at least. I bet you anything that you would get a sponsor.... Perhaps to save rare plant species? Bring attention to the Sarawak rainforest being cut down (because of course it's being cut down!) Start your own brand of Alocasias and Monsteras? I don't know what kind of direction you want to take your hobby/career (at this point it's growing so fast!).... You can grow and the plant fertilizer company can grow. That's the kind of cool business venture KZbin does so well. I hope you think about it. And do provide a link to the IKEA grow box and perhaps gain them as a sponsor....or design a box specifically for Alocasias for them? All kinds of happy stuff are flowing through my brain for your plants and you! Hello to your lovely Brad cat! 💞😸 I'm going to put a reference to other KZbin channels here that will provide a model for what I'm talking about.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Hey Ellen :) sponsorships are definitely something I will explore eventually :) the fertiliser company knows how much the international crowd wants their product. It’s an import/licensing issue I believe but they are slowly expanding to different markets :)

[@majidaghanoori5654]

Regarding how we can cool the plants in the hot summer, when we are not at home and without using the air conditioner, I would appreciate it if you have any suggestions. Thanks

[@sydneyplantguy]

Unless it’s over 35 degrees inside I wouldn’t see the need to cool them down…unless you are growing cool climate plants…. Even botanic gardens have to use aircon for their cool climate greenhouses

[@majidaghanoori5654]

@@sydneyplantguy thank a lot my friernd

[@Wolfie_Rankin]

I'm in Melbourne, mine has one leaf... It always only has one leaf. But at least the plant is alive, alocasias have been really difficult for me.

[@richardaltares3668]

First

[@tarzouet3142]

I heard alocacias attract spider mites. Any problems with yours?

[@sydneyplantguy]

It’s a constant battle :)

[@lisalee6393]

@@sydneyplantguy please please what are you using to combat them?

[@maroncomia4096]

My Cuprea outgrew it’s nursery pot, repotted it to a 2 inch bigger pot and viola all leaf fell one remained, used cocopeat, rice hull, pumice, carbonized rice hull, coco chunks and worm casting. I live in the Philippines it’s former medium is the same. I don’t know what to do. I Need help 🙃

[@Annette02]

I would like to know where you got your pot ?? Thank you for your video..

[@sydneyplantguy]

Flowerpower :)

[@aspirativemusicproduction2135]

I am stressing over it. Still haven't figured out the best conditions. I have Amazonica right next to it. It looks okey so far. I don't know.

[@justinsimpson5103]

Hey Jan :) just wanted to know what soil medium you are using for your alocasias? Is it the same avoid mix that your using for your aroids? Thanks so much:)

[@sydneyplantguy]

Yes :)

[@ingredient.]

What is that mix?

[@savannamm]

@@ingredient. he had a video on it

[@ingredient.]

@@savannamm what title?

[@Naeou]

@@ingredient. you can type "sydneyplantguy soil mix" into the search bar..

[@sloansimcik]

Could you tell me why mines stems curl? None of them stand straight

[@LifeofRovers]

Finally i found this plant on amazon but the leafs are dark purple in the image shown so is that a different variety or initially the leaf is purplish and when it matures it turns greenish like your??

[@sydneyplantguy]

I think it’s the same :) color could also be impacted by light exposure

[@LifeofRovers]

@@sydneyplantguy but your leafs looks greenish in the video. Is it greenish in real also? And were they purplish initially? I am talking about the front side color.

[@JH-fc3fg]

Have you ever created any hybrids with any of your plants? If so was it hard to do?

[@sydneyplantguy]

Just anthurium hybrids :) Anthurium pollination - from inflorescence to a lush pot of seedlings kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2HNo3Zrmd19hsU

[@vickiandKi]

Brad in a box. Makes sense to bind them up, they do tend to bend down, dont' they?

[@Epok724]

Hi what potting medium do you use for your alocasias? I can’t seem to keep them alive in potting soil 🫤

[@sydneyplantguy]

Aroid mix as per my yt tutorial :)

[@arealplantmom]

So what I've gathered is that the amount of light I'm giving mine is probably the reason it puts out small leaves

[@joycewong23]

Happy New Year all! Wonder if anyone can advise me. I’m based in Singapore (tropical and humid). Just got a pot of gorgeous Cuprea and new leaf appearing. However the leaves are all dropping downwards. Am using chunky aroid mix and watering through weekly. Places near high rise window area so yes to indirect sun. Any idea why leaves are facing downwards? Stems are firm thou

[@sydneyplantguy]

It might be too much light so the plant is protecting its leaves by pointing them down :P

[@joycewong23]

@@sydneyplantguy thanks for replying! Let me try to move it further away from the window

[@Kimber_le]

Do you use the same aroid mix like your other plants?

[@sydneyplantguy]

Yes :)

[@bildahome]

One day, you will find someone to take care of you and who you Love aswel.

[@icianthea]

I have to find clever ways to keep my plants off the floor and out of my cat's reach so he doesn't munch on them. Do you ever have that issue with your cat? If so, how do you deal with it?

[@sydneyplantguy]

I’m lucky, i don’t have that problem :)

[@norleneRF]

What kind of fertilizer u r using. Thanks n aloha

[@sydneyplantguy]

Hey, it's linked in the description :)

[@fahfon]

Hi, how did you manage to grow all your plants so BIG?🤩😅

[@sydneyplantguy]

Check out my moss pole playlist :)

[@fahfon]

Ok,thank you😊

[@pattituringan6745]

Do you grow catnip or cat grass for Brad?

[@sydneyplantguy]

I did once and Brad didn’t even care about it haha

[@fabianperson]

Hey Jan! I wonder if you have German ancestry or even are German yourself. I hope you do not think of this question to be insensitive! Greetings from Berlin! :)

[@yvonne667]

I also thought about that. He sounds a bit German (:

[@sydneyplantguy]

Yes I was born & grew up in Germany :)

[@fabianperson]

@@sydneyplantguy Oh that's so cool! Thanks for answering! Alles Gute dir und deinen Pflanzen! :))

[@JulieMShields]

Could you use aroid mix for a Xanthosoma albo marginata aka the Mickey Mouse Alocasia?

[@sydneyplantguy]

Yes :) maybe make it slightly more water retentive though :)

[@kaytaylor1855]

Cats just love boxes ....

[@kevinvo592]

Anyone know his soil mix for alocasias?

[@LeafyConversations]

LOL! “Stupid little flowers”

[@lovenature2713]

Please tell me what's your cuprea soil mixture?

[@sydneyplantguy]

It’s my aroid mix as per my tutorial :)

[@irkndy1275]

Mine is getting soft and the small leaves yellow 😢.I have tried not to give too much water but nothing has changed, don't know what else to do 😢

[@sydneyplantguy]

Definitely check on the roots. Sounds like potential root rot

[@diolinamoreiradasilva7937]

Por favor faça tradução em português

[@kai_kwentang]

My baby alocasia cuprea saplings are rotting 😢😢😢

[@markgenie1958]

What is your aeroid mix?

[@sydneyplantguy]

POTTING MIX - all you need to know to make an amazing substrate for your plants #diy kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGecmWBjq6uFgsU

[@schoolinJOO]

i gave up on mine 🙄😒

[@annafink2245]

We need a video of the plant fails.

[@mereteteichmann9448]

I'm starting to believe that my Cupria is not a Cupria, mine looks nothing like this.

[@acapetrovic2657]

Sorry, I got cat-distracted...

[@sydneyplantguy]

Haha we all did !!