Somewhere down south at a gas station I saw this amazing looking plant.It was placed well out of reach from curious fingers. The attendant said it was an African Mask and knew nothing else.
Anyone here have experience with this plant?
Thanks, Shirley
African Mask Plant
Hi Shirley, I think it is a taro, not sure..
I found a article that says it is like taro but smaller.
I would just like some info,I think I would like to get some bulbs if they are not too difficult ,my houseplants are all 'survivors' LOL....>^,,^< SB
Alocasia amazonica, African Mask. Likes shade(low light) and likes to stay warm. Water regularly but don't keep soggy. Likes to be really dry in the winter when it rests.
They are pretty, I had one last year and let it die....I was not a happy camper.
I just got one from Badseed,LOve it!!!
HEY ROOTY,(SB puts thumbs in her ears and waves fingers at root while stickin'out her tongue). Pffft! ;-) SB
Never let it go completely dormant(dies to the ground) it can take a year to break that heavy dormancy.Warm soil always.
Kyle, is that why mine was sooooooo slow to get going this year? I let it go completely dormant last winter and it's just got two leaves on it right now. I thought I'd killed it.
Hmm, that must be what happened to mine.
I would suggest growing it as a houseplant or at least in a shady location with indirect light. I had them outside last year and the went belly up with the first bit of cool weather.
I HAVE HAD MINE FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS. IT'S HUGE AND ALL I DO IS WATER IT. IT GET'S A LILY LIKE FLOWER EVERY NOW AND THEN AND THEY ARE WHITE. MINE SEEMS TO LIKE A WARM AND SEMI HUMID CLIMATE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE I COULD PROBABLY TAKE A CUTTING AND SEND TO YOU
TSJan, Thank You,I would love a cutting ,I was just taken with the beauty of this plant.....>^,,^< You have mail. SB
susi...they absolutely detest total dormancy..we have had some that took 2 years to re-leaf out after dying clear down.they grow wild in high humidity jungles in SE asia..if too cool they will die to the ground.The more heat and humidity the better they look.
TY Eclipse,This is good info for me to know. >^,,^< SB
Yeah, I was growing mine in the bathroom window right above the heat vent until the whole window sill was full! LOL Now with the a/c on, I have moved them to the front porch, but out of the sun.
Badseed ,
How would I know if the plant is not getting enough light? I remember thick waxy-like leaves on the one I spotted that started my quest. Will the plant react to low light like most others?...TY >^,,^< SB
Any position out of direct light would be great. I kept mine outside at the rear of the house last year, and this year in the bathroom again at the rear of the house. The sun comes up on one side of the house and goes down on the other so mine always got light but very filtered. If it gets too much light you will know because it loses it's coloring and looks more green. It will also get brittle around the edges. As for not enough light, hmmmmm. I would think it would stop producing leaves or maybe they would be limp?? As it likes low light, I think any amount of light should keep it happy. You may want someone else's opinion. :)
Debating on bringing mine in now or waiting a bit. The eve temps are dropping into the 50s. What temps will put it to sleep?
I would bring the Amazonica in now, just to be safe. It has to remain warm all winter. Last year I left the Illustris out until almost frost and it was fine. I don't know about the others, but if they go dormant and can take up to two years for some to come out of dormancy, I'd rather take them in now and be safe. I'll probably start digging mine in a week or so too.
Thanks Brugie. I have taro and ears all over out back. Some in water, some in pots, some in the ground! I know the tuber type can get a light frost, be cut back and stored. What do I do with the running type?
I'm new with most ears this year, so I'm waiting for someone to tell me what to do. I had the ones I mentioned in pots already last year, but this year I have a lot in the ground. I need information too.
If we are talking about this one,I may put mine in a pot next week.I am going to treat my Polly from you seed,just as I would African mask.
It's true if you put African Masks in direct sun they'll loose their color. Also, If you put it in strong sun it'll look like a nucular accident in an hour, then die, then only grow green leaves---untill you give it lowlight. After several months it'll sprout nice dark purple-backed buds again. They do their thing without the sun.
This message was edited Nov 20, 2003 3:04 AM
Hi Podperson....Welcome to DG.....
Heheheh....Didja ever see the movie "Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers"................I hope you have or this is not making any sense at all
;~P
shirley
§
I bought mine at the grocery store. Immediately doubled my plants by splitting the rhizomes in half. I keep seeing it written that these are rare....but I bought mine in the grocery store. hahaha
Molly
Oh No........now I know whats wrong. I hope it's not to late to bring mine in.....I was wondering why they seemed to be dyeing back........I'm gonna go out and get it right now......temps are only in the low 70's upper 60's but they are struggling........thanks for the advice.......
Dee
Shirley, you'll know it's not getting enough light when the thing takes 4ever to make one leaf. Then you sneak it into a medium light deal---or high light---until it starts up again--in Wisconsin you might be able to get away with a few hours of direct sunlight, especialy if there's some cloud cover.
Up to 3 months ago our lived in a corner...low light, not much water and it barely hung on...with one, very sad leaf. DH moved it to a pot , much higher light...just shaded by some young palms, and lots of water...WHOA....it has 4 new leaves and actually looks happy.
Wish this thread had started last year!
Mine is now 4 years old and has been divided twice. It is a very happy camper here in the kitchen window. Here is a pic of my AM. I keep appologising for my camera but at least you can get the general idea.
Mine dies down to the ground, but comes back each year. However, it is slow to come back. Here it is July and it only has a couple of leaves. I think this year, I will pot it up and take it inside for the winter.
I wish I lived in niceville. I would put mine outside. I'm afriad that the heat might do it in here. I'm running out of room in my house with all my house plants. Between my succulents and tropicals you would think we are living in a jungle. My DH keeps saying he's going to have to get a machete just to get to the bathroom. I guess I better concentrate on my outdoor plants. LOL
Mine is labeled as Polly,I would like to make a trade for the Mask,they do seem to be different ones.
Root ,
Polly is the 'little sister' . Polly's leaves are like 1/2 the size of the Mask's.
I almost lost both of them by jumping the gun and putting them out too early. Too chilly ..drooped and dropped their leaves BUT ....ta-dah !
.................. Both have grown new leaves =)
Whew !
Root, Here's a snap I took this morning of Mask and Polly.
Mask was dormant when I got it last year and up until now only had one mediocre leaf. The large leaf just unfurled a few days ago and it's still growing at 19 inches . Polly has 3 new leaves and more sprouting.
This message was edited Jul 9, 2004 10:41 PM
I love the difference in color,I thought they were closer in color,I like it!
Scooterbug,
Is this the one I sent you so long ago? Just curious?
Hey Jan, Yup , same one .... she's finally waking up .
I had to pot-up because the tuber is so long and sticks out above the soil . Any ideas ? I really don't like the way it looks ?
I'm thinking maybe this fall when it slows down for the winter , could the tuber be cut ?? I just don't know but it is growing almost out of this pot .
Seems she has been putting all her energy into growing the tuber. I can't bury it deeper in this pot as it is already resting on the bottom.
While I'm so happy it's growing , ..the problem is that a larger pot will not fit on the shelf where they winter. Then they will be at the mercy of my "Tornado Tail" German Shepherds , which clearly is not going to happen =)
Not sure what to tell you regarding the tuber sticking up as I had to go look at mine to see if it was like that. Yes it is sorta. I will try to get a picture if I can. Mine is in a very large pot. Probably a five gallon terra cotta pot. We may have to seek some expert advice on that question. I'm glad it's going for you though. Mine is in it's sunny corner in my house all year long.
I have a tornado tail Lab. There tails can play havoc on everyting. Not so much anymore as everytime she walks by the table I say watch your tail and she holds it dead still. I guess after 14 years they do learn some neat tricks. But don't cha just love em any how, any way.
This message was edited Jul 10, 2004 8:42 AM
OK , I'll think about potting-up to one of my heavy pots , only if I can think of a place for it that meets the plants requirements ...... *sigh*
p.s.
I like your pot =)