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The Exotic Rainforest
Plants in the Exotic Rainforest Collection
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Alocasia Amazonica a hybrid

 
Alocasia Amazonica
A hybrid of

Alocasia watsoniana x Alocasia sanderiana
Some sources indicate the parentage to be

Alocasia watsoniana
x Alocasia nobilis
A. watsoniana
is now also correctly Alocasia longiloba
 
often confused with
Alocasia micholitziana Sander
Sometimes known as the African Mask or Green Velvet
Known commercially as Alocasia 'Frydek' and sometimes as Alocasia 'Maxkowskii'
 
 
The specimen in the photo is a hybrid known as Alocasia Amazonica.  Depending on the source, the hybrid was created by crossing Alocasia watsoniana x Alocasia sanderiana.  Another source indicates the parentage to be Alocasia watsoniana x Alocasia nobilis.  And to make this even more confusing, Alocasia watsoniana is now correctly considered to be Alocasia longiloba as a result of information published by botanist Alistair Hay.  This specimen is not a true species, but rather, a hybrid.
 
Alocasia Amazonica is often confused with Alocasia micholitziana (mik-oh-lit-zee-AY-nuh) which is often sold commercially with the trade name Alocasia 'Frydek'.    The correct botanical name of that Alocasia sp. is Alocasia micholitziana but some call it A. micholitziana "Frydek" while yet others simply call it Alocasia "Frydek".  "Frydek" appears to be a name given to the plant by a plant tissue culture company who wanted a unique trade name since the plant is commonly cloned and sold in numerous nurseries and discount stores.  Tissue culture is simply cloning. As a result, this is a very confusing group of both species and hybrid plants.  I even found the specimen being sold as Alocasia 'Maxkowskii'.  I have no idea where that name originated but it is likely the invention of another tissue culture company who felt they had to have some name they could claim for promotional purposes.   Besides, it sounds like a botanical name, even though it is not.
 
Even though some websites claim Alocasia Amazonica is difficult to grow, in fact it is quite easy.  The trick is you must provide the plant the conditions it requires.  This plant specimen will not do well as a "house plant" on the interior of the home unless it is receiving at least moderately bright light.  You also cannot forget to water the plant on a regular basis.  This is a hybrid of rain forest specimens and requires damp (not muddy) conditions to prosper.  However, like many Alocasia sp., if planted out doors Alocasia Amazonica will often go dormant when the temperatures drop much below 12.75C (55 degrees F) and you may not see it for some months until spring and warmer weather returns.  In most cases the specimen will grow again once the temperatures rise and stabilize again.  But this specimen will not tolerate a freeze!
 
Recent reports from knowledgeable growers indicates the true parent species are often found growing in very bright light, almost direct sunlight.  If grown in too low light the Alocasia often looses much of its green color on the upper surface of the leaf and becomes almost black.  In low room light, especially without water, the specimen is likely to simply droop, loose the color, and die a slow death.  However, it will grow well in medium filtered light.  As a house plant, keep it near a bright window.  If you wish to grow Alocasia Amazonica in direct, or near direct sunlight, this plant can require a great deal of water.  However full sun may not be advisable in some areas where the summer sun is extremely hot and brilliant.  The specimen can stand as tall as 4 feet but typically is only 2 to 3 feet in height and the leaves can be impressive.  Native growers indicate it will reach a more impressive height in brighter light.
 
The natural growing media for this plant is a well aerated soil.  You can duplicate this mix with a soil mix growers often call a "jungle mix" as indicated by LariAnn.  You can easily make it yourself with a good "moisture control" potting soil mixed with bark, such as orchid potting media containing charcoal, coarse Perlite and peat moss.  Keep the soil evenly damp. A mixture of approximately 40%, 20%, 20% and 20% of these components works well.
 
Expert aroid hybridizer and grower LariAnn Garner offered these observations, "In my experience, this plant can suddenly rot away to nothing if kept too moist for too long.  Some of the healthiest specimens I've seen are allowed to dry out almost to the point where you'd be alarmed.  I believe this is important to prevent the buildup of pathogenic microbes; the periodic drying apparently keeps them at bay.  The "jungle mix" is a great idea; I would use even less of the moisture control potting mix, especially if you are going to use peat moss in the mix, and I'd up the bark, coarse Perlite and charcoal.  I find this to be true with all the other longiloba types as well.  I suspect it is because in their native habitat, the roots grow in the loose upper layer of the forest floor, consisting of leaf litter, small twigs and other very open debris.  Most of our soil less media mixes stay too wet to simulate this kind of environment."
 
My thanks to Mic Paschall, Bill Rotolante and LariAnn Garner for their input into the information on this page.
 
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