Tissue Culture Plants

Acclimatization: from flask to soil

1. 1Deflasking

   Carefully take the plantlet out of the bag/flask without breaking the fragile roots.

2. 2Rinse off the gel

   Thoroughly rinse the nutrient gel (gellan gum) off the roots with warm RO/distilled water — residue causes mold and rot.

3. 3Sterile substrate

   Plant in a loose, airy substrate: sphagnum or perlite + bark. No nutrient-rich soil.

4. 4Mini greenhouse

   Clear box/ziplock bag, humidity 90-100%, warmth 22-26°C, diffused light. No direct sun.

5. 5Hardening off

   Over 2-4 wk, gradually open the box a little, lowering the humidity so the plant gets used to the room.

6. 6No fertilizer

   First 3-4 wk only water (RO). Then very weak — ¼ dose, canister V for variegated plants.

7. 7Moving to the mix

   After rooting and 2-3 new leaves — into a mature variegated mix (TC-3 for climbing aroids, TC-4 for Alocasia).

Transplanting & roots — practical tips

My TC plants (9)

Adult — reference

Alocasia 'Bambino' variegated (Albo)

Alocasia amazonica 'Bambino Variegata'

TC Variegated

Stage

Deflasking / acclimatization

Acquired

2026-05

Source

Etsy — Tenzin Khoo, Chiang Mai (Thailand)

Phyto certificate

TH6905014524 (11.05.2026)

Substrate

After deflasking:TC-2TC deflasking — alocasia (tuberous)

• Perlite35%
• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)35%
• Sphagnum moss20%
• Charcoal10%

Adult:TC-4Variegated alocasia — mineral (adult)

• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)40%
• Perlite25%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Pine Bark10%
• Charcoal5%

Care notes

• •TC plantlet in gel (gellan gum) — not a finished plant, needs acclimatization
• •Deflasking — carefully remove it and wash all the gel off the roots with warm RO water (leftovers = tuber rot)
• •TC alocasia is finicky: keep it warm (22-26°C) and very humid, open slowly
• •Substrate loose and airy (sphagnum/perlite), no dense soil at all
• •NO fertilizers for the first 3-4 weeks, then very weak (sensitive group)
• •Diffused light, no direct sun
• •After rooting and once a small tuber forms — move to the adult mineral mix for variegated alocasia

Risks & warnings

• White areas without chlorophyll die — variegated alocasia is especially unstable
• The tuber rots easily from overwatering and gel residue
• May go dormant (drop leaves) under stress — the tuber is alive
• TC plantlets are fragile — losses during acclimatization are normal

Alocasia 'Bambino' variegated (Aurea Gold)

Alocasia amazonica 'Bambino Variegata Aurea'

TC Variegated

Stage

Growing on after acclimatization

Acquired

2026-08

Source

Etsy (Thailand)

Substrate

After deflasking:TC-2TC deflasking — alocasia (tuberous)

• Perlite35%
• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)35%
• Sphagnum moss20%
• Charcoal10%

Adult:TC-4Variegated alocasia — mineral (adult)

• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)40%
• Perlite25%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Pine Bark10%
• Charcoal5%

Care notes

• •TC alocasia is finicky: keep it warm (22-26°C) and very humid, open slowly
• •NO fertilizers for the first 3-4 weeks, then very weak (sensitive group)
• •Diffused light, no direct sun
• •The cultivar was identified from a photo and is tentative: it will be confirmed if new leaves show yellow sectors
• •After rooting and once a small tuber forms — move to the adult mineral mix for variegated alocasia

Risks & warnings

• White areas without chlorophyll die — variegated alocasia is especially unstable
• The tuber rots easily from overwatering and gel residue
• May go dormant (drop leaves) under stress — the tuber is alive
• TC plantlets are fragile — losses during acclimatization are normal

Alocasia 'Black Velvet' variegated (Albo Pink)

Alocasia reginula 'Black Velvet Albo Pink Variegated'

TC Variegated

Stage

Growing on after acclimatization

Acquired

2026-08

Source

Etsy (Thailand)

Substrate

After deflasking:TC-2TC deflasking — alocasia (tuberous)

• Perlite35%
• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)35%
• Sphagnum moss20%
• Charcoal10%

Adult:TC-4Variegated alocasia — mineral (adult)

• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)40%
• Perlite25%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Pine Bark10%
• Charcoal5%

Option:16Aroids — mineral, airy

• Lava rock (volcanic scoria)17%
• Pine Bark17%
• Perlite17%
• Pumice17%
• Fine Coconut Coir32%

Care notes

• •TC alocasia is finicky: keep it warm (22-26°C) and very humid, open slowly
• •NO fertilizers for the first 3-4 weeks, then very weak (sensitive group)
• •Diffused light, no direct sun
• •Dense peat-based soil stunts young roots and slows leaf growth — the substrate should be chunkier and airier
• •After rooting and once a small tuber forms — move to the adult mineral mix for variegated alocasia

Risks & warnings

• White areas without chlorophyll die — variegated alocasia is especially unstable
• The tuber rots easily from overwatering and gel residue
• May go dormant (drop leaves) under stress — the tuber is alive
• TC plantlets are fragile — losses during acclimatization are normal

Alocasia 'Sanderiana Bull' variegated (Pink/Albo)

Alocasia sanderiana 'Bull Variegated Pink'

TC Variegated

Stage

Growing on after acclimatization

Acquired

2026-08

Source

Etsy (Thailand)

Substrate

After deflasking:TC-2TC deflasking — alocasia (tuberous)

• Perlite35%
• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)35%
• Sphagnum moss20%
• Charcoal10%

Adult:TC-4Variegated alocasia — mineral (adult)

• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)40%
• Perlite25%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Pine Bark10%
• Charcoal5%

Option:16Aroids — mineral, airy

• Lava rock (volcanic scoria)17%
• Pine Bark17%
• Perlite17%
• Pumice17%
• Fine Coconut Coir32%

Care notes

• •TC alocasia is finicky: keep it warm (22-26°C) and very humid, open slowly
• •NO fertilizers for the first 3-4 weeks, then very weak (sensitive group)
• •Diffused light, no direct sun
• •Dense peat-based soil stunts young roots and slows leaf growth — the substrate should be chunkier and airier
• •After rooting and once a small tuber forms — move to the adult mineral mix for variegated alocasia

Risks & warnings

• White areas without chlorophyll die — variegated alocasia is especially unstable
• The tuber rots easily from overwatering and gel residue
• May go dormant (drop leaves) under stress — the tuber is alive
• TC plantlets are fragile — losses during acclimatization are normal

Adult — reference

Monstera 'Borsigiana Albo'

Monstera deliciosa 'Borsigiana Albo Variegata'

TC Variegated

Stage

Deflasking / acclimatization

Acquired

2026-05

Source

Etsy — Tenzin Khoo, Chiang Mai (Thailand)

Phyto certificate

TH6905014524 (11.05.2026)

Substrate

After deflasking:TC-1TC deflasking — climbing aroids (philodendron, monstera)

• Sphagnum moss40%
• Perlite30%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Charcoal10%

Adult:TC-3Variegated aroids — airy (adult)

• Pine Bark40%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Perlite20%
• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)10%
• Charcoal10%

Option:16Aroids — mineral, airy

• Lava rock (volcanic scoria)17%
• Pine Bark17%
• Perlite17%
• Pumice17%
• Fine Coconut Coir32%

Care notes

• •TC plantlet in gel (gellan gum) — not a finished plant, needs acclimatization
• •Borsigiana Albo — a compact/fast form of the same albo as Monstera albo variegata
• •Deflasking — carefully remove it and wash all the gel off the roots with warm RO water (leftovers = mold/rot)
• •Mini-greenhouse for 2-4 weeks with high humidity, then gradually open (harden off)
• •NO fertilizers for the first 3-4 weeks, then ¼ dose (canister V, low N)
• •Bright diffused light, no direct sun on the white areas
• •After 2-3 new leaves — move to the adult airy mix for variegated aroids

Risks & warnings

• Reversion or fully white leaves (die without chlorophyll) — keep the balance with pruning
• White sectors burn in direct sun and easily dry out/turn black
• Gel residue on the roots → mold/rot
• TC plantlets are fragile — losses during acclimatization are normal

Adult — reference

Philodendron 'Billietiae' Variegated

Philodendron billietiae 'Variegata'

TC Variegated

Stage

Deflasking / acclimatization

Acquired

2026-07

Source

Etsy (Thailand)

Substrate

After deflasking:TC-1TC deflasking — climbing aroids (philodendron, monstera)

• Sphagnum moss40%
• Perlite30%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Charcoal10%

Adult:TC-3Variegated aroids — airy (adult)

• Pine Bark40%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Perlite20%
• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)10%
• Charcoal10%

Option:16Aroids — mineral, airy

• Lava rock (volcanic scoria)17%
• Pine Bark17%
• Perlite17%
• Pumice17%
• Fine Coconut Coir32%

Care notes

• •TC plantlet in gel (gellan gum) — not a finished plant, needs acclimatization
• •Billietiae — long arrow-shaped leaves on orange petioles; a variegata with cream-yellow sectors
• •Deflasking — carefully remove it and wash all the gel off the roots with warm RO water (leftovers = mold/rot)
• •Mini-greenhouse for 2-4 weeks with high humidity, then gradually open (harden off)
• •NO fertilizers for the first 3-4 weeks, then ¼ dose (canister V, low N)
• •Bright diffused light, no direct sun — light sectors burn more easily than green ones
• •Support (moss stick) for climbing growth and large mature leaves
• •After 2-3 new leaves — move to the adult airy mix for variegated aroids

Risks & warnings

• Reversion with excess nitrogen (loss of cream-yellow sectors)
• Fully white/yellow leaves without chlorophyll die — normal for a variegata
• Gel residue on the roots → mold/rot
• TC plantlets are fragile — losses during acclimatization are normal

Philodendron 'Caramel Marble' variegated

Philodendron 'Caramel Marble' Variegata

TC Variegated

Stage

Growing on after acclimatization

Acquired

2026-08

Source

Etsy (Thailand)

Substrate

After deflasking:TC-1TC deflasking — climbing aroids (philodendron, monstera)

• Sphagnum moss40%
• Perlite30%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Charcoal10%

Adult:TC-3Variegated aroids — airy (adult)

• Pine Bark40%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Perlite20%
• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)10%
• Charcoal10%

Option:16Aroids — mineral, airy

• Lava rock (volcanic scoria)17%
• Pine Bark17%
• Perlite17%
• Pumice17%
• Fine Coconut Coir32%

Care notes

• •Mini-greenhouse for 2-4 weeks with high humidity, then gradually open (harden off)
• •NO fertilizers for the first 3-4 weeks, then ¼ dose (canister V, low N)
• •Bright diffused light, no direct sun — light sectors burn more easily than green ones
• •Support (moss stick) for climbing growth and large mature leaves
• •After 2-3 new leaves — move to the adult airy mix for variegated aroids

Risks & warnings

• Reversion with excess nitrogen (loss of cream-yellow sectors)
• Fully white/yellow leaves without chlorophyll die — normal for a variegata
• TC plantlets are fragile — losses during acclimatization are normal

Adult — reference

Philodendron 'Jose Buono'

Philodendron 'Jose Buono'

TC Variegated

Stage

Deflasking / acclimatization

Acquired

2026-05

Source

Etsy — Tenzin Khoo, Chiang Mai (Thailand)

Phyto certificate

TH6905014524 (11.05.2026)

Substrate

After deflasking:TC-1TC deflasking — climbing aroids (philodendron, monstera)

• Sphagnum moss40%
• Perlite30%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Charcoal10%

Adult:TC-3Variegated aroids — airy (adult)

• Pine Bark40%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Perlite20%
• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)10%
• Charcoal10%

Care notes

• •TC plantlet in gel (gellan gum) — not a finished plant, needs acclimatization
• •Deflasking — carefully remove it and wash all the gel off the roots with warm RO water (leftovers = mold/rot)
• •Mini-greenhouse for 2-4 weeks with high humidity, then gradually open (harden off)
• •Substrate sterile and loose (sphagnum or perlite+bark), no nutrient-rich soil
• •NO fertilizers for the first 3-4 weeks, then ¼ dose (canister V, low N)
• •Diffused light — large variegated leaves burn especially easily
• •After 2-3 new leaves — move to the adult airy mix for variegated aroids

Risks & warnings

• Jose Buono — a large-leaf variegata (cream-white sectors); white shoots without chlorophyll die
• Reversion with excess nitrogen
• Gel residue on the roots → mold/rot
• TC plantlets are fragile — losses during acclimatization are normal

Adult — reference

Philodendron 'Orange Princess'

Philodendron erubescens 'Orange Princess'

TC Variegated

Stage

Deflasking / acclimatization

Acquired

2026-05

Source

Etsy — Tenzin Khoo, Chiang Mai (Thailand)

Phyto certificate

TH6905014524 (11.05.2026)

Substrate

After deflasking:TC-1TC deflasking — climbing aroids (philodendron, monstera)

• Sphagnum moss40%
• Perlite30%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Charcoal10%

Adult:TC-3Variegated aroids — airy (adult)

• Pine Bark40%
• Coarse Coconut Coir20%
• Perlite20%
• Semi Hydro Mix (volcanic mineral substrate)10%
• Charcoal10%

Care notes

• •TC plantlet in gel (gellan gum) — not a finished plant, needs acclimatization
• •Deflasking — carefully remove it and wash all the gel off the roots with warm RO water (leftovers = mold/rot)
• •Mini-greenhouse for 2-4 weeks with high humidity, then gradually open (harden off)
• •Substrate sterile and loose (sphagnum or perlite+bark), no nutrient-rich soil
• •NO fertilizers for the first 3-4 weeks, then ¼ dose (canister V, low N)
• •Diffused light, no direct sun
• •After 2-3 new leaves — move to the adult airy mix for variegated aroids

Risks & warnings

• Variegation is unstable — reversion (greening) or fully white shoots (die without chlorophyll)
• White/orange areas burn in direct sun
• Gel residue on the roots → mold/rot
• TC plantlets are fragile — losses during acclimatization are normal