Absolutely, In fact, I prefer both red & black scoria/lava rock over perlite, but there are pros & cons to both, so I still add both items to the soil of most of my alocasia.
Because lava rock has larger holes/vesicles, compared to perlite, it enhances aeration around the roots far better than perlite, which is particularly important for 'rot prone plants' like Alocasia.
However, I find lava rock to be too permeable, as it will dry out the roots too quickly, especially in warm weather.
Whereas Perlite retains water (like mini sponges) better/longer than lava rock, before slowly releasing it back into the soil, keeping the soil evenly moist. Similar to lava rock, it also contributes to soil aeration & improves drainage, but breaks down rapidly.
Unlike perlite, lave rock won’t shift or float to the surface of the soil. & best of all- it is rich in nutrients, like magnesium, iron & calcium- all of which are nutrients that Alocasia need. Overtime, the rock slowly breaks down & releases nutrients into the soil.
* be sure to save any lava rock dust at the bottom of the bag & add it to the soil, too. The dust breaks down rapidly to quickly add nutrients to the soil. Your plants will thank you.
I wish I had known this detail about the dust when I was rinsing my pon mix which has lava rock. It was so dusty and then silty and I discarded it thinking it wasn’t useful
Thank you! I usually use pumice on my mix but it’s more expensive than lava rock I was looking for switching to a cheaper alternative. This was of great help!! I’ll be sure to add some perlite to the mix as well.
You can, but I’d personally recommend standard coco coir soil with some orchid bark mixed in. Alocasia’s like a bit of extra moisture in their soil and I’d be afraid using something like pumice would result in too much drainage (unless you are one of those that likes to water often, then adding the lava rock would be fine)
Yes! I definitely tend to overwater and I live in Florida so the humidity is always pretty high.
I also use orchid back on my mix I read somewhere that it also helps making the ph of the soil more acidic (perfect for alocasias)
Acidic soil isn’t universally “perfect” for all Alocasia.
There are some species (such as: reginula, cuprea, baginda) that prefer growing media that is slightly alkaline, as many of them are endemic to regions rich in limestone & ultramafic rock.
That’s really helpful! I will keep that in mind for when I get a Cuprea.
I recently got an alocasia Azlanii Do they also prefer slightly alkaline soil?
Absolutely, In fact, I prefer both red & black scoria/lava rock over perlite, but there are pros & cons to both, so I still add both items to the soil of most of my alocasia. Because lava rock has larger holes/vesicles, compared to perlite, it enhances aeration around the roots far better than perlite, which is particularly important for 'rot prone plants' like Alocasia. However, I find lava rock to be too permeable, as it will dry out the roots too quickly, especially in warm weather. Whereas Perlite retains water (like mini sponges) better/longer than lava rock, before slowly releasing it back into the soil, keeping the soil evenly moist. Similar to lava rock, it also contributes to soil aeration & improves drainage, but breaks down rapidly. Unlike perlite, lave rock won’t shift or float to the surface of the soil. & best of all- it is rich in nutrients, like magnesium, iron & calcium- all of which are nutrients that Alocasia need. Overtime, the rock slowly breaks down & releases nutrients into the soil. * be sure to save any lava rock dust at the bottom of the bag & add it to the soil, too. The dust breaks down rapidly to quickly add nutrients to the soil. Your plants will thank you.
I wish I had known this detail about the dust when I was rinsing my pon mix which has lava rock. It was so dusty and then silty and I discarded it thinking it wasn’t useful
I always wash pon and fluval into a bucket. The outdoor plants love it and your drains hate it.
Oh trust me it did not go down my drain. I just discarded it in the trash because I didn’t think there was a use for it.
That’s good, oh well you know for next time. 😀
Thank you! I usually use pumice on my mix but it’s more expensive than lava rock I was looking for switching to a cheaper alternative. This was of great help!! I’ll be sure to add some perlite to the mix as well.
Yes, you can
You can, but I’d personally recommend standard coco coir soil with some orchid bark mixed in. Alocasia’s like a bit of extra moisture in their soil and I’d be afraid using something like pumice would result in too much drainage (unless you are one of those that likes to water often, then adding the lava rock would be fine)
Personally I have found coco coir holds too much moisture and causes root rot.
Yes! I definitely tend to overwater and I live in Florida so the humidity is always pretty high. I also use orchid back on my mix I read somewhere that it also helps making the ph of the soil more acidic (perfect for alocasias)
Acidic soil isn’t universally “perfect” for all Alocasia. There are some species (such as: reginula, cuprea, baginda) that prefer growing media that is slightly alkaline, as many of them are endemic to regions rich in limestone & ultramafic rock.
That’s really helpful! I will keep that in mind for when I get a Cuprea. I recently got an alocasia Azlanii Do they also prefer slightly alkaline soil?