--- title: "Hi plant people! Reaching out for help with the rescue Alocasia…" description: "Hi plant people! Reaching out for help with the rescue Alocasia Polly: this guy lost 4 leaves in the span of a few weeks. For some context: I'm watering him as…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/8YJLrBkOSo27kyNSisgUpA/7PWC0i8bizXR5eoQL398eZ" community: "Alocasia Aficionados" author: "🎲Sunmoth🍡" published: "2025-02-21T14:16:05.094895Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/qkbc_2gBPBHMFgU2orEkZ8giKJ0_RmpdDso50TPqY50/-XgS9lJnSwiwboR62t9pVg.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Alocasia Aficionados](https://getplanta.com/community/8YJLrBkOSo27kyNSisgUpA.md) # Hi plant people! Reaching out for help with the rescue Alocasia… _Posted by 🎲Sunmoth🍡 on 2025-02-21_ Hi plant people! Reaching out for help with the rescue Alocasia Polly: this guy lost 4 leaves in the span of a few weeks. For some context: I'm watering him as per Planta's suggestions, every 13th day, misting leaves thoroughly every second day. Fertilizer has been used twice since we bought him early last month. There was a pest problem: white spots on the plant, either thrisps or spider mites, I treated with all-purpose insecticide, hydrogen peroxide solution, rubbing alcohol, and repotted to make sure the soil is new. That's what's been going on with him in general. I'd like some insight into the dead leaves, is it from pests if they are still present, or is there some other issue that needs fixing, related to water/light? Thank you! ![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/qkbc_2gBPBHMFgU2orEkZ8giKJ0_RmpdDso50TPqY50/-XgS9lJnSwiwboR62t9pVg.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/qkbc_2gBPBHMFgU2orEkZ8giKJ0_RmpdDso50TPqY50/4ljNAWhjR_COBZBg7NmbUg.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/qkbc_2gBPBHMFgU2orEkZ8giKJ0_RmpdDso50TPqY50/7wymeoNDSxSybah2cwF74A.webp?size=large) ## 15 comments ### Jessica commented on 2025-02-21 I would avoid misting unless you have an actual humidifier. Is the soil completely dry when you water/fertilize? Also, what do you use to fertilize? It’s possible you used too high of a concentration which caused the plant to freak out. Also what is the light situation? Do you have south-facing windows or a grow light? #### 🎲Sunmoth🍡 replied on 2025-02-22 Do you think a humidity tray would be good for this plant, instead of misting? The soil is usually almost dry when I water. The fertilizer is pretty diluted, but I agree it could be too much, because I fertilized twice a month. Not a lot of light going on for him, he's in a north facing windows, but with a lamp directly over him which we turn on daily. I only have one growlight I use for the plants in my room, and as thus guy is still in quarantine, I'm hesitant to bring him in. ### Bebe🌵🤍 commented on 2025-02-21 How long did you treat for pests? #### 🎲Sunmoth🍡 replied on 2025-02-22 About a month #### Bebe🌵🤍 replied on 2025-02-22 How bad was the infestation and what did you treat them with? It’s possible it still has them. I would keep treating it, add a lot humidity, and checking for them because they’re a painnnn to get rid of ### MikeyPlants commented on 2025-02-21 I'm dealing with spider mites on mine right now and it looks exactly the same. I'd say your pest problem is still there. I just replanted mine and got rid of all the old soil, gave it a nice shower and added some swirskii mites which are predatory mites that eat spider mites. I'm hoping for the best! Good luck!! #### 🎲Sunmoth🍡 replied on 2025-02-22 Good luck to you also! Thank you, I'm considering bying diatomaceous earth to help with my pests, because I'm pretty sure they're thrisps. We'll see where we end up! Thank you:) ### Surfside Seedling commented on 2025-02-21 When misting, try not to use so much water that beads can roll off the leaves. A fine mist is good. #### 🎲Sunmoth🍡 replied on 2025-02-22 Thank you! I'll make sure to do that ### Phil commented on 2025-02-22 My Polly has a leaf looking very similar. It has lost several leaves with them all looking like this. About a month ago I discovered the soil was staying moist too long. It was a pot issue. Anyway, I think I solved that but the outcome was this. The remaining leaves are fine and new shoots are coming up. So I’m just saying it’s a possible overwatering issue. And unless you are doing half strength fertilizer, twice in a month for a new plant sounds like maybe too much. The nursery gives them enough fertilizer to last a few months. And just want to say that Planta is not always right. Rely on your observations. Planta is just a helper. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OWAkyZxcZtwxk-v_HG7sG7i-GaZeWOFpvbl_VkIbhkY/OLSn2i8gRLu69W5G8K69sw.webp?size=large) #### 🎲Sunmoth🍡 replied on 2025-02-22 It definitely could be overwatering.. After I started my plant journey with carnivores and swamp varieties that can't dry up, it's really hard to not overwater every plant I come in contact with😅 Thank you so much for your help! I'll see what I can do about humidity right now. ### Gray commented on 2025-02-22 Mine started turning like that because it was pissed off. Polly’s are a really hard alocasia type. I put mine in semi-hydro and keep the humidify HIGH (literally mine’s in a dome with 100% humidity) and she perked back up. I call her my enemy #### 🎲Sunmoth🍡 replied on 2025-02-22 Yeah.. It's also a first alocasia for me:) But, oh well, I managed to get to know \& not kill two triostars, so the hope is there! Do you think a humidity tray would be good for this guy? #### Gray replied on 2025-02-22 Could be. Anything to increase the humidity for these guys would be best. Mine is only now putting out a new leaf after being in semi-hydro since summer and being potted in dirt for months previous to that. They really hate to be cold or in low humidity #### Gray replied on 2025-02-22 If you want an easier alocasia, try a Black Velvet, Odora “Batik”, Bambino, or Frydek. They’re easy growers, especially the Batik. Feel free to stalk my profile too to see my collection, I’d say all the ones I have except for the Silver Dragon and Polly have been an easy relationship. And I just use regular potting soil and tap water lol --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_