Species in Collection
Rainforest Tour
Orchids
The
Exotic Rainforest
Plants in
the Exotic Rainforest Collection
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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
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!
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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