I tried out the Alocasia LECA-moss method and it's working great – lots of new roots and they already reached the bottom. I have multiple concerns now:
- There is lots of algae and if you look closely you can already see grass growing on the top. Should I remove the algae and grass? I've read that it takes away nutrients from the plant.
- The roots have reached the bottom – does that mean I have to repot and place the roots higher up, or get a bigger container? Or can I wait a couple more months?
- Long-term concerns: I've read that sphagnum moss has a low pH (around 3.5 to 5) and that after 6 months or so, the leaves can start to suffer due to salt buildup and the dropping pH and that repotting alone won't fix the problem. Is there a solution, because I really like this method – especially that I dont have to water that often and know exactly when I have to water it? My plants showed lots of root growth, new leaves, and overall look really healthy. Is there a similar setup that avoids these long-term issues? Should I switch to pure LECA, or is there something I can add to the moss to stabilize the pH? I am already using liquid fertilizer as directed on the package, and I obviously don't want to overfertilize.
Here is the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbbctL99zdU) that raised the last concern (it's in German), summarized by AI:
- pH too low: Moss sits at pH 3.5–5, but Alocasias need ~6. This blocks uptake of nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium.
- Misleading start: Plants thrive initially because the low pH unlocks previously blocked nutrients — but problems show up after ~6 months.
- Healthy roots ≠ healthy plant: Roots look great in moss (low pH prevents rot), but leaves develop deficiency spots.
- Salt buildup: Unabsorbed nutrients accumulate in the moss, causing both deficiency and overfertilization symptoms simultaneously.
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Can't fix with watering: Even high-pH water drops back down quickly in moss.
- And one last question – would you recommend this method for other plants as well like Monstera, Calathea, Philodendrons, etc.?
Von: Ghettobaum