I have a thing for Alocasias. Okay, maybe an obsession, but I really love them. I killed my first one, Alocasia frydek, harvested the corms that were in the soil, and bought more. I thought I'd post some pics I took tonight. I have more outside and will snap some pics of those tomorrow evening.
Easiest one has been Alocasia reginula 'Black Velvet' and most difficult was Alocasia sanderiana ' Nobilis'.
Here's my 'Black Velvet'
Alocasia clypeolata "Green Shield". Like most of my other Alocasias, this one sits just off a south-facing window. I have found this one also likes to be kept on the dry side.
I think Alocasia clypeolata "Green Shield" is happy. Look who's popping up!
Alocasia 'Hilo Beauty'. This one has had a hard time with spider mites but still has some nice, long-stemmed leaves on it.
Okay, this is not an Alocasia, but I had to include this beauty, Aphelandra squarrosa 'Zebra Plant'. This plant is at least 5 yrs old and is 36" tall. I put a "Hilo Beauty" corm in the front of the container and it seems to be quite happy!
This message was edited Aug 17, 2005 12:37 AM
Alocasia cuprea. I've heard this one can be a challenge to grow so we'll see.
Alocasia xAmazonica. I bought this one last July and overwatered it, didn't give it enough sun so it went dormant by the time I figured out how to care for it properly. I thought it was dead so I took it out of its container, harvested the extra corms, and noticed that the roots were still alive. So I let it be and 4 months later, I started to see new growth. A month later, just one leaf, but see more growth on the way. This type seems to be a slow grower.
I am ashamed to show my Black Magic. It is teeeeeeeny tiiiiiiiiiiiny. I've had it a long time but I keep trying to kill it and the poor thing keeps coming back!
This one is only about 3 weeks old for me, I have it by a window and its doing okay.
Judging by the number of stems, must have a ton of leaves. I hope yours stays beautiful. Did you notice the bloom in there?
