I bought an Alocasia Macrorrhiza bulb beginning of March as well as an EE esculenta. The esculenta is up and has several sprouts. This morning I dug into the pot for the Alocasia Macrorrhiza bulb to see why it wasn't doing anything. The bottom is total mush!!!. How are you supposed to plant them? I planted the bulb below the surface and covered with about an inch of soil, watered in well, put it on a heat mat, with saran wrap to keep the moisture in. Did this to both bulbs, but am wondering why one bulb flourished and the AM (which was very expensive) did not. This was my first Alocasia Macrorrhiza and there wasn't any instructions.
Alocasia Macrorrhiza Bulb - Planting Help
If you have enough of the bulb to salvage, you may just want to cut off the mushy part, let it dry a few days and replant. If you have something to treat it for fungus or mold, it wouldn't hurt. I generally plant them the same way, just barely covering the top.
most alocasia you put the bulb ontop of the ground and not in the ground colocasias and xants you plant in the ground....If that is the only alocasia you have. you want be able to see the little bulbs/cromes that pop up out of the soil. which is not true in alocasia hilo beauty but more common in fredrick.. but after it pops out of the ground they grow to plants..... Mix 1/3 perlite 1/3 bark to 1/3 soil. I can't think of a alocasia that likes damp soil. I would just put 1/2 of it in the soil or buy another bulb. I have not paid that much attention to where my bulb is on the AM..... another thing is it is to cold even in doors it takes 30 days of 70-85 deg weather to germ. since you were using a heat mat and the moisture was staying in that wasn't good for the AM but great for the CE. where did you get the water to water it with? most alocasia don't like water out of your sink. you could ask rootdoctor. I believe what his name is he gave great referance on how to split one up. he might be able to tell you why it turned to mush. I cheated and bought a plant.
colocasia esculenta is a bog/swamp/that can live in damp conditions. good reading material is at agristarts.com click alocasia, then M. it will tell you the light and I think water..
p.s. you can get AM on ebay for 1.95+shipping at times.....
I hope this helps...
ely
When starting AM,I always try to have some of the bulb above soil,I think this allows the sun to warm the bulb,you may want to slice of the mush,repot it,so a little is above ground.
I would run it on the dry side for a little while also,if you see any nubs,that look like where the side shoots will come from,be sure to have them pointing up.
This one has 3 babies.it is a slice I took off the bottom of a larger bulb
Thanks to all of you for the help. I bought a new AM bulb, and I will try this method. I've never grown EEs before.
I rotted nearly all the ones I dug up last year.
Roz, do you need more elephant ears-if so which ones? Will gladly share and start some for you.
I planted mine a couple weeks ago,when temps were in the 60's then they jumped up into the 70's,and she thru a flower spike out,then the cold weather hit for about 5 days,nite temps were at freezing or a little below,now were back up into the 80's,she still has not open,not sure if she will or not,but she doesn't look damaged at all,so hopefully in a few days she open for me,the last one had a nice fruity fragrance,between a pineapple and a papaya.
Well I thought I'd run out a take a pic for you,and surprise surprise,she opened tonite,and here she is!
Another shot.
I kept mine in pots over the winter and they are about 4-5 ft. tall. I'd be afraid to let them go dormant. My green thumb turns brown in the winter.
Brugie,I paint my thumbs green!!!!
Works for me!LOL
I might have to try that. I lost quite a few things this winter. Maybe I baby them too much.
Tman,if you collect the pollen off it and put it on the next bloom,you may get some seeds,it worked for me last year.
Hey Barb! I found one peeping up, just a tiny piece, and I dug up the others, and they are not all dead, just slow to come back, but I may take you up on the offer in a few weeks if nothing happens. Thanks!
Hey root,can you just keep the pollen on a small paint brush for storing or must it be placed in a baggy?
Tman,I just held an envelope under it and tapped it in,then kept in in the fridge.
Well I'll try to remember next time,storms last nite washed it all away!
Thanks
I have found that most of my Casia,s will stand drout and heat better than cold--esp. cool and damp--will rot them
Well thats just what were having in Kansas cool wet rain for 2 days now,and more tomorrow!
Seems like the weather never does anything in Moderation,it goes from one extreme to another!
LOL! Tman,that is what makes us the best testing Zone!
Root,I agree with you there,were about as close to the middle of the country as you can be,we get all the weather conditions there can be.
And when it ain't dry as a popcorn f**t,it is raining with possible twisters,I am looking forward to coming down with Jeff late summer!
Root.
Well lets hope this rain stops and the sun shines again!!!!
N/C Florida has been real dry--the outside garden stuff has had to be watered to keep it alive--but the Casias and Caladium are ok just a little wilted---