Reading the blurb from Malaesiana where the Robusta grows naturally,their recommendation is for very high humidity and high temperatures,not below 75.Having just received info from a grower in Carolina ,their recommendation is that the plant can take down to 45 degrees when it goes dormant and their minimum temperature is 55 degrees with constant airflow and no humidity.They give the impression that humidity is the thing to avoid.Which of these is right?They also say that 75% shade is used yet they also recommend very bright light.I am really confused.
Confusion,Alocasia need high humidity,yet growers say no?
True Robusta grows in Malaysia but is only found huge in a few small areas.
I don't believe light level is extremely important with them. I have seen photos of them in fairly dense shade as well as in wide open areas. Air flow is important with most all plants it helps prevent fungus attacks and bugs from attacking. Robusta usually is a in a area were no strong wind or strong breezes would be if so their leaves would get damaged.
I have heard of them also growing in very wet bog like soil or in well drained soil. Personally I have not been able to grow many alocasias in wet areas they just seem to rot to fast. Manly because of temps. They do like it hot very hot and humid sticky humid. Most these plants grow in areas were most people would sweat constantly. So if you have a hot wet humid slightly breeze area you should be fine.
Another thing I have been hearing is special micro organisms may help these plants from rotting in the wild and growing healthier. The problem is all the plants are usually tissue cultured and no micro organisms are introduced to the soil.
Many of my tropicals would grow in the wild in hot & humid or hot & wet environments, but I've found that if I only occasionally let them get a little cooler rot can set in fast if its still moist. Seems to me like the growers that can keep them hot & wet get the fastest growth, but I just can't guarantee the heat 100% of the time, so I have to really make sure there is air to the roots and they don't stay wet.
So Kev I think those 2 different recomendations make sense if you add an "if": Wet is good if it stays hot (never gets cool). Drier is good if it gets cool sometimes.