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[INDOOR-GARDENING:391] Re: Hello/Alocasia




>Hello list,

>For the first time ever, I have bought an Alocasia. Before I kill it, I
>thought I would ask if anyone has had experience with this plant. Are there
>any secrets to care, etc.? It looks like a relative to Nephthytis/Syngonium
>and I always manage to kill those.
>
>Any help would be appreciated.
>
>Nancy
>
Hi Nancy:

I bought an Alocasia Mexicana several years ago. This is not the silver leaf
one but velvety green leaves with white veins.

It was heavily infested with spider mites and I'm still fighting them.
Whether for that reason or my culture I've never been able to keep more than
about four leaves on it. I suspect it needs higher humidity than I can
provide which may be a factor, too.

I removed an offset last year and this spring it sent up a funy tuft of
leaves out of the centre and low and behold a blossom, very insignificant
but appears to be forming a seed pod. However the only leaf has died
comnpletely, no stub, and no new ones are appearing so perhaps that will be
it when the seed pod ripens.

All the leaves on the old plant died also this winter but now it's sending
out new leaves from the stubs so apparently is fairly tough,.  I have them
planted in a soilless mix of half peat with perlite, vermiculute. They are
in the sunporch against the back wall so are in good light but no direct
sun. They get whatever fertilizer the other plants get, mostly a high
phosphate. Of course, as a green plant it would do better with a higher
nitrogen type but doesn't seem to mind.  I water it when the surface of the
soil is dry. The old plant is in a seven inch pot and needs watering almost
every day. It has two large stems and a couple of offsets just starting.

Hope this helps.

Ruth  Z
email: rzavitz@execulink.com
Freelance writer and gardening consultant zone 5/6 southern Ontario
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