Very good questions. I happen to have dabbled in semi-hydro but most notably am an alocasia addict. I can’t tell you eeeeverything about semi-hydro but I do use pon and leca and can definitely hold your hand through the alocasia gauntlet.

At this very moment, it will already be experiencing a new setup in that it’s moving to your house so I’d strongly advise you to let it chill until it acclimates. I’d wait a few weeks to a month before doing anything and only if, at that point, you see new growth. Alocasias are very sensitive to changes in environment as well as fussy over its roots being jostled and are known to crash out over too much change at once, or sometimes just big changes at all. Fortunately, silver dragon’s are pretty cool customers in my experience as far as the overall persnickety genus goes so I’ve got faith you two will be alright. This one is super pretty, by the way, congrats!

I digress. The grow light is a great idea, I’ve found them to be something I’d never skip with my alocasias and this is one of mine that’s a fan particularly. I leave mine on. 12hr light schedule minimum to prevent pseudo-dormancy and they grow year round. They’re also heavy feeders but I’d start light with the fertilizer and work up. They’re gluttons for cal/mag and not all fertilizers have enough for their preference so that’s worth noting and checking to see what yours provides but too little for a few waterings shouldn’t cause a big issue.

When you do get to repotting it in a larger vessel, I would try your best to keep that root ball as intact as you can. I realize that may be a challenge considering that little mesh thing at the bottom of the pon seems to be tangled pretty well in the roots. Honestly, I’d personally sacrifice those bottom roots for the sake of the upper root ball rather than disrupt the upper portion trying to pry it apart. Alocasias get pissy when jostling causes damage to the tiny root hairs (happens very easily with pon since it loves to move around on us). Some people swear they can empty out all the medium and fondle the roots all they want and their alocasias don’t get mad. I’ve never had that experience so I keep the fondling to a respectful minimum like a lady. Maybe I’m just not that close with my plants, idk. 🤷‍♀️

Best of luck! Hope I didn’t scare you too badly, let me know if it turns into an angry gremlin and I’ll be happy to help.

2 points ManikPixieDreamGhoul

Very good questions. I happen to have dabbled in semi-hydro but most notably am an alocasia addict. I can’t tell you eeeeverything about semi-hydro but I do use pon and leca and can definitely hold your hand through the alocasia gauntlet.

At this very moment, it will already be experiencing a new setup in that it’s moving to your house so I’d strongly advise you to let it chill until it acclimates. I’d wait a few weeks to a month before doing anything and only if, at that point, you see new growth. Alocasias are very sensitive to changes in environment as well as fussy over its roots being jostled and are known to crash out over too much change at once, or sometimes just big changes at all. Fortunately, silver dragon’s are pretty cool customers in my experience as far as the overall persnickety genus goes so I’ve got faith you two will be alright. This one is super pretty, by the way, congrats!

I digress. The grow light is a great idea, I’ve found them to be something I’d never skip with my alocasias and this is one of mine that’s a fan particularly. I leave mine on. 12hr light schedule minimum to prevent pseudo-dormancy and they grow year round. They’re also heavy feeders but I’d start light with the fertilizer and work up. They’re gluttons for cal/mag and not all fertilizers have enough for their preference so that’s worth noting and checking to see what yours provides but too little for a few waterings shouldn’t cause a big issue.

When you do get to repotting it in a larger vessel, I would try your best to keep that root ball as intact as you can. I realize that may be a challenge considering that little mesh thing at the bottom of the pon seems to be tangled pretty well in the roots. Honestly, I’d personally sacrifice those bottom roots for the sake of the upper root ball rather than disrupt the upper portion trying to pry it apart. Alocasias get pissy when jostling causes damage to the tiny root hairs (happens very easily with pon since it loves to move around on us). Some people swear they can empty out all the medium and fondle the roots all they want and their alocasias don’t get mad. I’ve never had that experience so I keep the fondling to a respectful minimum like a lady. Maybe I’m just not that close with my plants, idk. 🤷‍♀️

Best of luck! Hope I didn’t scare you too badly, let me know if it turns into an angry gremlin and I’ll be happy to help.