Hi, I am

Winston

WHO'S

THIS

Guy?

Hi! Winston is the name.

I am also called the Alocasia Wentii or Elephant's Ear. I get this nickname because of the shape of my leaves. Just like elephant ears, right? I am an impressive figure, with my large, dark leaves. Unique in my species, I certainly am!

Originally I come from very far away, that is, the rain forests in the warm, southern parts of Asia. Here I grow nicely and can grow several meters tall! Also, here my leaves are used as an umbrella during rainstorms. Thus I am not only beautiful, but also very useful!

Quick guide

meetlint
Height: 65 CM
plantenpot
Diameter: 19 CM
zon
Placement: semi-sun, no direct sunlight
water
Water: frequent, lukewarm water
air cleaning
Air purifying
do not eat
Toxic, not for consumption
schaar
Cut away old leaves
voeding
fertilize twice a month, not during winter
Monstera blad

MORE INFO

  • Where should you place me?
  • A place with lots of light, I do well there! But don't put me in a place with full sun, I can't stand that very well. For example, put me in front of a window facing west or east, or two meters from a window facing south. If I don't get enough light, my stems will become very long and eventually droop because of the heavy leaves. Also turn me a little from time to time so that I get enough light from all sides, since I am growing toward the light. Put me somewhere where I am not in a draft and move me as little as possible.

  • How much water do I drink?
  • I like a slightly moist soil and prefer not to dry out, as this causes my leaves to droop. Never give me too much water, as this causes root rot. Regular sips of lukewarm water are enough for me. This does vary per season: in winter I drink less than in summer, because it is warmer and lighter in summer. In addition, the brighter my location, the more I drink. Water me from below, it's better for my roots and this also reduces the chance of bugs. It also allows me to absorb the amount of water I need. You can give the rest of the water to another plant after I have drunk for 15 minutes. In between waterings, you can feel with your finger how wet the soil is. Does soil stick to your finger after you put it in the potting soil? Then it still has enough water. Is your finger dry and clean? Then give me something to drink. Also, feel free to lift me up. Am I heavy like a tree? Then I have enough to drink. Am I light as a leaf? Then I like a sip. Cheers!

  • How much fertilizer do I need?
  • Fertilizer? Gladly! But only during the growing season please. This runs from March to September. Make sure you stick to the recommended amount on the package to prevent root rot. Outside the growing season I don't need any fertilizer, my reserves are sufficient.

  • When do I need to be repotted?
  • If you have just bought me, you don’t need to repot me for the first few months. I need all the energy I have to adjust to my new environment. You can, of course, put me in a decorative pot. After the first repotting session, I’d like a new pot every two years that is 20% bigger than my previous pot. Please repot me in Spring, this is when I’m at my strongest. I also like fresh potting soil, because this is filled with nutrients that I need to grow. Sometimes, it happens that I go through a major growth spurt and need a new pot sooner. You can check if I need a new pot by checking my roots. Do they grow out of the bottom of the pot? Then you can repot me sooner.

    It is very important to plant me in an inner pot first before putting me in a decorative pot. Thus, you can check if you’ve overwatered me by checking if there is water on the bottom of the decorative pot. You can also easily water me from the bottom.

  • When do I need to be pruned?
  • You don't have to prune me! Still think I'm getting too big, or are my lower leaves turning yellow with age? Then cut them down to 2 inches above the stem with clean, sharp scissors. Do this in the spring, since that is when I am strongest.

  • What is my superpower?
  • I am a real air purifier! Thus, I make sure that the room I am standing in is provided with clean air. I do this by converting the CO2 in the air into oxygen. This gives you a boost of energy, focus and creativity.

  • Did you know that...
  • It may be that I do lose some drops of water via my leaves. This often happens when I have had too much water. This is called guttation, and is also known as 'sweating'.  

  • Am I edible?
  • No, I am not edible.

A place with lots of light, I do well there! But don't put me in a place with full sun, I can't stand that very well. For example, put me in front of a window facing west or east, or two meters from a window facing south. If I don't get enough light, my stems will become very long and eventually droop because of the heavy leaves. Also turn me a little from time to time so that I get enough light from all sides, since I am growing toward the light. Put me somewhere where I am not in a draft and move me as little as possible.

I like a slightly moist soil and prefer not to dry out, as this causes my leaves to droop. Never give me too much water, as this causes root rot. Regular sips of lukewarm water are enough for me. This does vary per season: in winter I drink less than in summer, because it is warmer and lighter in summer. In addition, the brighter my location, the more I drink. Water me from below, it's better for my roots and this also reduces the chance of bugs. It also allows me to absorb the amount of water I need. You can give the rest of the water to another plant after I have drunk for 15 minutes. In between waterings, you can feel with your finger how wet the soil is. Does soil stick to your finger after you put it in the potting soil? Then it still has enough water. Is your finger dry and clean? Then give me something to drink. Also, feel free to lift me up. Am I heavy like a tree? Then I have enough to drink. Am I light as a leaf? Then I like a sip. Cheers!

Fertilizer? Gladly! But only during the growing season please. This runs from March to September. Make sure you stick to the recommended amount on the package to prevent root rot. Outside the growing season I don't need any fertilizer, my reserves are sufficient.

If you have just bought me, you don’t need to repot me for the first few months. I need all the energy I have to adjust to my new environment. You can, of course, put me in a decorative pot. After the first repotting session, I’d like a new pot every two years that is 20% bigger than my previous pot. Please repot me in Spring, this is when I’m at my strongest. I also like fresh potting soil, because this is filled with nutrients that I need to grow. Sometimes, it happens that I go through a major growth spurt and need a new pot sooner. You can check if I need a new pot by checking my roots. Do they grow out of the bottom of the pot? Then you can repot me sooner.

It is very important to plant me in an inner pot first before putting me in a decorative pot. Thus, you can check if you’ve overwatered me by checking if there is water on the bottom of the decorative pot. You can also easily water me from the bottom.

You don't have to prune me! Still think I'm getting too big, or are my lower leaves turning yellow with age? Then cut them down to 2 inches above the stem with clean, sharp scissors. Do this in the spring, since that is when I am strongest.

I am a real air purifier! Thus, I make sure that the room I am standing in is provided with clean air. I do this by converting the CO2 in the air into oxygen. This gives you a boost of energy, focus and creativity.

It may be that I do lose some drops of water via my leaves. This often happens when I have had too much water. This is called guttation, and is also known as 'sweating'.  

No, I am not edible.

Fave spot

Where should you place me?

If you put me in a bright place, I am very happy! Just don't put me in a place with direct sunlight, I don't like this very much.

Plant care

Medic heart

What do I like?

Just give me some lukewarm water regularly, I really like that. Also, you may give me some fertilizer twice a month during the growing season.

Adopt Rainforest

Plantanious works together with the Work with Nature foundation. Our tropical rainforests are disappearing at a rapid pace and an enormous biodiversity is being lost along with the trees. If it were up to us, the jaguar would soon walk around again in the rainforest in Costa Rica protected by 'Adopt Rainforest'! The place where many of our special plants originate. In order to make an important contribution to the goal of the foundation - to protect 2,000 hectares of rainforest in the next ten years - we donate part of our turnover to protect part of the tropical rainforest. To achieve their goal, the foundation puts money into protection, conservation, reforestation, education and research.