Troubleshooting
Extended Alcantarea problems — and how to fix them
Extended Alcantarea (Alcantarea extensa) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Stagnant water in the cup causing rot
If the central cup is kept filled in cool, low-light conditions, bacterial or fungal rot can develop at the crown. Flush the cup with fresh water regularly and, if temperatures drop below 10°C, allow the cup to dry out between refills.
Scale insects
Armoured scale (Diaspididae) can establish on the inner leaf surface and along the flower spike. Look for flat, waxy, brown or grey discs on the foliage; scrape off manually and treat with horticultural oil or a systemic insecticide.
Prevent extended alcantarea problems before they start
Most extended alcantarea issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Extended Alcantarea problems — FAQ
Why is my extended alcantarea stagnant water in the cup causing rot?
If the central cup is kept filled in cool, low-light conditions, bacterial or fungal rot can develop at the crown. Flush the cup with fresh water regularly and, if temperatures drop below 10°C, allow the cup to dry out between refills.
Why is my extended alcantarea scale insects?
Armoured scale (Diaspididae) can establish on the inner leaf surface and along the flower spike. Look for flat, waxy, brown or grey discs on the foliage; scrape off manually and treat with horticultural oil or a systemic insecticide.