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Alocasia Plants Elephant Ear Plants
-= Alocasia seed Pollination Project =- . THE LARGEST Undivided Leafed plant in the world! Alocasia Robusta (Sarawak) - Still quite Rare in American cultivation, this is the legendary GIANT of Borneo having THE largest undivided leaves in the world of any other plant. Being king of the elephant ear plants over the Alocasia macrorrhiza Borneo Giant and xanthosoma varieties. These were probably around when the dinosaurs roamed the earth as they fed on the foliage. That idea would make sense anyway due to their size. These particular elephant ear plants began being tissue cultured by two companies that I know of to bring them out the brink of extinction and now we are blessed to have them available for everyone's collection! The ones available at Central Florida Farms are still small yet, but should prove to be steady growing to their massive size when given proper attention! See the pictures below as a man in a blue striped shirt stands under its enormous leaves! The petioles look almost as large as his legs in caliper. They grow to heights of 30 feet! These are faster growing than some reports say and you will be well satisfied in watching them grow to their maximum potential in the environment you provide. There are a few reports on the web about these being difficult to grow and to an extent this is true. Once you find the regiment they desire, they will grow fast and push a new leaf about every week and half. The new ones after the size in the picture on the right are nearly doubled when unfurled. the largest we had one was about 7 feet tall. As mentioned, we have had some experience with these since a company in Malaysia offered them for the first time in 2003 and will send a care sheet with your order to help you continue its growth pattern. Reports about it being finicky are true for the younger plants, but once they reach the stage where they have grown about 7-10 leaves, they seem to be quite hardy until the weather drops below the mid 40's. These are truly tropical and do not like the cold weather. I have had many come back to life after the winter was over and the weather was stable above the mid to upper 40's. I have also had some return to the dust, never to be seen again. I do not know what makes it decide to do this. When they are growing we for you, they are generous about giving you a new leaf about once a week and each leaf gets bigger as they unfurl. I have found that they need high humidity and extra bright indirect light and even direct sun to do their best. Allow soil to dry in-between waterings. These are not recommended for the novice unless they take responsibility and take special care of this plant. They do not like the low light environment of indoors unless it is well lit. They can grow inside a controlled greenhouse environment of course and if you are blessed to have this, you should be able to grow this to the size of your greenhouse without much trouble. * See our Alocasia robusta Growing Guide on line here. See the person at base of plant? This pic taken on 8-28-04 Alocasia Macrorrhiza Borneo Giant (var) - Zone 7 - 11 - Second Largest Undivided Leafed plant in the world. These were considered the largest until the Alocasia Robusta Sarawak hit the scene a few years ago. Slightly more cold tolerant than previously thought and recorded. They have upright leaves that grow to height of 15 feet and the stem petioles can grow to 10 feet long pushing that large leaf even higher! Probably larger in warmer locations given the name it has and seeing the photo below. They are fast reproducers, creating 'pups' around the base of the mother plant once they are established but have not in my experience been invasive. When mature they have dark green blue-ish hue to the leaves give the Borneo Giant yet another wonderful attribute to your scene. Like most elephant ear plants, these love moist situations, but can grow anywhere once established and if large enough can stand short periods of drought. They prefer partial shade, but will grow strong in full sun if watered with a correct watering regiment. Fast growing and an excellent addition to your collection! Seed pollinated here at Central Florida Farms. These large elephant ear plants can be used as perennials in northern areas where they normally would be too cold outside to endure the weather. The cool thing about them is that the tuber can be dug like other Alocasia elephant ear plants and overwintered in a dry situation. Just keep checking it periodically (about every 2 weeks or so) for areas of desiccation and if found, treat with nice bath of warm water and place them back into their resting place. Most of the time there is no problem. They should come right back when weather permits. One Gallon and Larger are in limited quantities - reserve NOW to ensure your garden is full. These are excellent plants for someone that wants a hardy, low maintenance plant that grows VERY LARGE, in a short amount of time! Notice person in hat below this enormous plant! Alocasia princeps Purple Cloak - New for 2008! - Zone 9 and up - This recently introduced plant has a bat shaped, pointed end lobes showing glossy green on the upper side and a deep purple underside. They are said to get about 4 ft tall and be very showy! The petioles are a lighter violet color with the texture of sandpaper. This is a very unique plant! They are about 6 inches tall right now, but hope to provide a good photo as the grow. I would use a strict watering schedule on these until more is known about their care. They do like fertile, rich in organic matter, well drained soil mixes. I think this will be a plant that becomes a favorite among collectors. Alocasia Nishihira - New! - Introducing this new found Alocasia (from late 2006). Grows to heights of about 6+ feet. resembles the Alocasia brancifolia, but is certainly different. These plants are bushier and readily pup. The leaves are a darker more green color and the lobes are not as widely spaced. They are also much more cold tolerant and do not die down unless temperatures reach below freezing. It is safe to say going by my experience this winter that they can take mild freezes and certainly short periods of frost if protected. They can take more water to the root system and are a more hardy plant than brancifolia. The stems are mottled with extreme zebra patterns of light colored greens and creams. When these are grown as single plants and not clumped, they get much larger than shown below in girth and height. A very welcomed plant to my world and I hope it will be to yours also.
Alocasia hypnosa - New and Rare for 2008 Zones 8 and up - Cold Hardy! What a really interesting find here! These plants are known to grow to at least 3-4 feet tall with very scalloped leaf edges. The leaves (despite some of the photos) are very proportionate, large and slightly rounded looking overall reaching at least 2 feet in length and nearly as wide. The end lobes are widely spaced and are extra segmented like that of the Alocasia macrorrhiza Borneo Giant. The deep, dark green colored leaves shine between glossy and matte and feel fleshy soft to the touch. The bloom on the Alocasia hypnosa are one of a kind! They are very delicate in appearance with pink to purple hues finally revealing its reproductive system, but the hood doesn't open fully like most Alocasia species and I've noticed that sometimes doesn't open all the way at all. The blooms are short lived and rise up about 1.5 feet out of the base of the plant. So far, we have only witnessed one bloom per session, per plant. Time will reveal if the bloom more often or with more petioles per bloom. Very unique and very pretty! I imagine that these will sell out rapidly at this size and we only have a few available at this time. We took these photos to show all aspects of this plant. These plants available have a bulb/corm about as large a baseball. Don't miss out! These are very large plants that are available to purchase today and reserve for shipping in Mid July. Read More about this plant... Alocasia tigrina - New for 2008! VERY RARE - (Zone 9 up) Grows 5-6 ft Tall - These are not seen everywhere for the fact that mass production is not as large scale as most other plants in the Alocasia species. The upright, blue-ish, silvery hued and pointed arrow shaped leaves sit on striped and mottled dark green stems that spew color high up in the air! The leaf margins are curled downward and cupped giving the edges a rigid appearance. Another attribute of the leaves is that they are slightly undulate, adding even more eye appeal! Tropical in nature, this plant needs warmth and a strict watering regiment until it is well established and more mature. Should be brought in for winter or it will die down. I don't know if it comes back, this is my first year owning these. We'll let winter 2009 decide or if we get another freeze this year. This is a medium / large sized elephant ear plant that will do well in any southern landscape or use as an outdoor annual in colder climates. The soil mix should be course bark combined with rich organic matter to hold the moisture that drains rapidly. If you grow this one indoors, I would suggest that the leaves be misted daily and lightly to prevent the edges from browning and drying, but water very sparingly. Makes a perfect large potted specimen for ease of care and portability. Alocasia Reticulata - Mottled Stem, Mosaic Leaf, (Zone 9 up) Rare - New for 2008! Unique medium sized dark green Alocasia with deep mottled stems and arrow shaped, pointed leaves. Cold hardy to zone 9 so bring them indoors for the winter in colder areas. Easy to grow and fast growing. Resembles the Alocasia Tigrina in likeness but has more overall mottling to the plants. The upright Elephant Ear Plant - Grows to heights of 4ft. Here is a rarely offered alocasia plant with extreme stem mottling. Not very cold hardy as known yet. It arrives from a mutation or naturally occurring hybrid and was first introduced about 5 years ago, but gave the propagators a difficult time in the lab. Only a few available even now and who knows when or if they will be available again. The narrow arrow shaped leaves are pointed arrow shaped that sit on strong, deep mottled petioles. Leaves are also mottled and new leaves point towards the sky. Alocasia Black Velvet - Zones 9 and up. New to CFF for 2008! After many inquiries, we are offering this beauty. A fast growing dwarf alocasia species, but certainly not hidden. This one really stands out among the rest offering what few others do with the colors. Good things really do come in small packages. They are bold and contrasting with white veins on a rounded, closed lobe, dark green-black velvet textured leaf. The underside has a reddish glow that makes this a colorful addition. It is very easy to care for and seems to produce many babies creating the multiple effect in its container. The leaves are almost paper looking until you get up close and touch it. You know you're going to touch the leaves. Who could resist? An easy to care for medium sized plant that makes a great office, home or patio specimen or a great selection around your pond or potted plant lanai indoor houseplant or outdoors. Collectors Choice!
Alocasia Infernalis 'kapit' - NEW Zones 9 and up. Alocasia Infernalis is brand new (from 2006) to us collectors of plants and there is not much information on this one yet. They are slower growing than most other Alocasia species. The dark deep green leaves are glossy and almost black with hints of dark red/burgundy with an over all shiny, purplish look. The underside is colored in deep, deep burgundy. Some of the coloration can show lighter shades of reddish splotches while leaves mature. I believe the plants max out growing at around 2+ ft tall over all. Their deep dark oblong shaped leaves sit on proportionate stems but similar to the Alocasia macrorrhiza (and other Alocasia species) will grow a small trunk pushing the leaves up higher as it grows. Since the pigmentation is very dark and the plant is a smaller variety, I would guess that it makes a great indoor specimen in bright enough light. These will certainly make an excellent patio plant in any container or arrangement dish. Since it is a new introduction and it is an alocasia, its safe to bet that it can take zone 8 climates. Again since its small, it can be container grown and brought inside during rough weather or placed strategically in your garden keeping it portable in the pot. If you choose to grow it this method, you should change soil about once or twice a year or flush the soil with water very well to remove any salts that are collecting in the container. Collectors Choice!
Alocasia Sarian - Zones 8 and up, Grows to 10+? ft. This plant is a landscapers favorite in southern areas where the cold doesn't effect this awesome monster. Very highly sagittate, dark green leaves with contrasting white light veins on strong tall stems makes this plant stand out from the rest (and literally above the rest). Once it becomes established there is no stopping this giant from filling a void in any garden or lawn. the leaves are more triangular than most alocasia species and very pointed on each end. Another huge plant to have if you don't already have this feeling happy in your world. These will fit in the scene well near a Borneo Giant plant. These are small now but will grow strong and steady. 2 Plants One price! Alocasia Albo alba Macrorrhiza 'Variegata' - Zone 8b and higher. Another great Alocasia with a splash of white. One of my favorites! These beautiful plants grow to heights about 6-7 feet and leaves 3-4 feet long and 2-3 ft wide in optimal climates and conditions. They add a striking contrast to any setting. The stems (as shown below) are almost more pretty than the leaves. Some leaves unfurl as pure white, some will be all green but most will be somewhere in-between. I have noticed on several plants that a half green, half white leaf split right down the middle is more common than any other leaf that unfurls. They are as amazing to look at from a tiny pup to a huge specimen. Every leaf that unfurls will be a surprise on every plant. when grown in great growing conditions, they should produce a new leaf each week to week and a half. Simply graceful eye candy! Available again June July Alocasia macrorrhiza - Zone 7 - 11 Cold Hardy! This enormous growing plant is one of the first to hit main stream cultivation in the 70's growing in popularity for it size and easy growing attributes with the upright leaf and bold statement it makes in the landscape. They can reach heights of 10 feet with ease while growing on a trunk like tuber much like the rhizome of x. sagittifolia. The leaves are very dark green that get a quilted appearance as they mature. They kinda fluffy looking and flop in gentle breezes. The one pictured below is only about 3.5 months into the growing season of 2005, received as a pup in late 2004. Sorry that I don't have an updated photo, but plan on showing them this summer's end. They are very cold hardy and can take freezing temps with no die down unless in direct, unprotected positions. While protected, they will remain green, just stays dormant during steady weather below 40ºF to at least 28ºf before dying to the ground. I have read reports of people keeping these inside their homes with adequate light and as always with indoors plants, you must keep the humidity up either by spraying the leave or other means. These are excellent plants for someone that wants a hardy, low maintenance, High Performance and huge leafed plant that grows fast in a short amount of time! These plants available are pups from the mother plant and are faster growing and very stable already. 2 Plants One price! Alocasia Stingray - Hardy to Zone 8. This very fast growing and easy care plant is an unusual looking Alocasia was probably a mutation that stayed true (guessing). They originate from Thailand and has been preserved through tissue culture. The rounded leaves have the normal lobed rear but come to a long point and truly resemble the body of an aquatic dwelling stingray complete with tail. I have learned from growing these that they can take LOTS of water and cold to at least 32ºF before dying down for the season. This still doesn't kill them. I would treat it the same as other alocasias with morning waterings and partial sunlight and being aware of its tropical nature for temperatures. They react well to fertilizer and I've had them in about 50% shade and they're doing great. They will also do very well in full sun light. A medium fast and steady growing plant that I can reach 6+ feet. Either way, what a very cool plant to be able to watch grow and have among your collection. The Alocasia Stingray Plant is a very easy plant to grow and hardy to adapt to most living situations. Very unusual! LIMITED !
Grows huge to 6+ feet Tall becoming more unique the larger it grows! Alocasia Brisbanensis (Bailey, Cunjevoi) Zone 7-11 Cold Hardy - Grows to 6+ ft tall. Here is one that is not offered every day and is about as cold hardy as it gets for an alocasia species. Originating from Australia this plant is said to be poisonous although the natives eat this after being cooked properly. I would not try this and don't recommend it. The leaves are oblong in shape from end to end when younger and widen as they mature. The leaves almost double in size as they unfurl each week. The stems in this variety are light green but there is a mottled stem variety. These are very easy to grow plants like the macrorrhiza species. Australia Sting Tree Alocasia Brisbanensis Cunjevoi Baileys Elephant Ear Plants. Very Limited more Soon Alocasia Sarawakensis - USDA Zone 7a-b This plant grows to mammoth sizes like its cousin the Alocasia Borneo Giant, but lacks the powdery silver underside of the to the leaves like Alocasia Robusta and the stems have a unique mottled design. They appear to be more hardy and easier to care for as well than many other Alocasia plants. A slow grower, the stems are hued with purple and are somewhat mottled with reddish brown. A very unique plant that will make you feel tiny! Just imagine the leaf shown below at 5-6 feet and more puckered. Its origin is Borneo Malaysia and is said to be able to handle more swampy conditions than other alocasias. They are cold tolerant to zone 7a-b as are most alocasias and this one is extremely easy to grow being able to take neglect. Temporarily not available $0.00 ea Alocasia Sarawakensis starter plant approx: 6-8" tall with healthy root system. Alocasia Portei - Gigantic Elephant Ear Plant! - Zones 7 and Higher! - Very cold hardy and Easy Growing to heights of at least 10 feet in warmer climates. This is one awesome plant to have on location! I have read that this is the first alocasia that was introduced into cultivation many years ago. I am not 100% of this and if so, it has been hiding in some backyard gardens away from public view for a while as it grew out of popularity. This monster would fit in with the plants that you might see in a horror movie scene. Especially the shadows from this animated plant would look like multiple fingers ready to reach out and grab you or even worse. The dark green leaves reach about 4-5 feet on darkly mottled stems that reach about 6ft tall. The plants grow upward with extremely scalloped edges. It definitely will add some character to your extreme gardening and fill you with wonder once it matures.
Alocasia x Portidora - Thunder Waves - Previously known as Portidora, Portadora, Portore, Portora - Zones 7-10. Gigantic Elephant Ears! Another Alocasia cross by LariAnn Garner. This awesome looking specimen plant grows to about 6-7 feet tall with huge ruffled leaves. They can grow up to 15 feet tall on their huge trunk like stem. Some are calling this plant "Alocasia Storm Warning", this is the same plant. The stems area purplish color and these are fast growing producing pups. non invasive but very attractive plants! Can be container grown or placed directly in the landscape. They need regular moisture and prefer about 70% sunlight but will grow in 70-80% shade with good indirect sunlight. The ones in the photo below are grown in full sun and you can see how they are doing. A wonderful plant to add to your collection! Very Fast Growing and very easy to care for, you don't need a green thumb for this plant! Easy Award! Alocasia Inoranta - What a find here! Dark Silvery leaves! Grows Large 5-8ft! This over average sized leafed plant has a blueish-silver sheen to the tops of the leaves and are hardy as the Macrorrhiza. Easy to grow and makes a wonderful center piece or specimen plant to show off and add color to your atmosphere. Needs bright indirect light and moist well drained soil to do its best. Loves fertilizer as all the alocasia species do. This photo does not reveal its unique color but does portrait the bold shape to the leaves. Glad this one came out of hiding! Alocasia x Odora var. "azurea" - Another huge growing plant from tropical rain forests of Asia. This plant grows leaves 3-5 feet long on stems that reach 6+ ft in its natural habitat. The thick stems become a maroon-purple-blueish color. The leaves are a mid green color that become puckered with age. These plants are easy to grow being very hardy to abuse and similar to all the rest of the Alocasia family, they like well drained, well fertile soil but these Alocasias can stand more moisture than some other harder to grow alocasias. They can also take long periods of drought although it is not recommended for optimal growth. But they can take weeks. It is said to be a powerful lung cancer cure by eating the cooked stems, but I positively do not recommend this unless your doctors says to do it. I think this mammoth plant will be another wonderful addition to your garden! Alocasia Brancifolia - No 'official' Common Name given - Hardy to Zone 9. This is a very unusual looking Alocasia comes straight from the collectors chest and is now available to you! My wife calls them "The Crocodilian", I like "The Reptilian" due to the look of the mottled stem pattern and claw like leaves when younger. Resembling a philodendron in leaf structure (from a distance), this pale olive green leafed Alocasia grows to heights of at least 5-7 ft with long lobed leaflets and the leaves themselves grow to at least 3+ft long and almost as wide. The leaflets are exaggeratedly lobed (to say the least) and will slightly hang down when mature and make anyone's collection or garden that much more appealing. The stems are vividly mottled with dark greens, light pinks to light browns when younger and turn lighter as matures (giving the slight appearance of a reptile skin if you will). They are very strong stemmed supporting their Jurassic looking leaves. When mature, these could be used in horror movies as a background plant due to their eerie appearance in dim lit areas. They like bright indirect light but can also be an excellent indoor house plant in colder areas as they tolerate shade as well! In warmer climates this would be great for the patio, shaded pool area or an attractive landscape specimen! Makes an excellent indoor potted specimen! Should be grown in bright filtered light if outdoors and bright lighted areas if grown indoors. It is not suited for direct sun exposure. These are a little more difficult to grow than some being the plant does not like wet feet. They did withstand the harsh cold winter and though they died down, they came back with vigor when spring arrived. Being that like indirect bright shade, they can be over-wintered indoors for those cold weeks in zones colder than 7a-b. If left outdoors, they will begin to go dormant and maybe die down in steady weather of 3-7 days below 45ºF degrees. What an awesome RARE Find plant! Alocasia lauterbachiana - No common name yet, but we think it should be called the Alocasia Sword so that's what we named it. WOW was what I thought when I first saw a Lauterbachiana in a photo and again when it was finally available. Talk about a unique alocasia species. These slender leafed aroids grow to heights of about 6+ ft, a thickly girthed plant base with a dark pale green upper side, raised veins and a striking dark earth toned maroon red purple leaf underside. Their undulate, knife blade-like appearance is an excellent addition to the overall look. They are easy to grow and respond well to fertilizer and any efforts put forth. They are fast growing like the Macrorrhiza and Odora. Alocasia lauterbachiana are very hardy and can take a little neglect and will keep growing. These plants certainly earn their place in the Jurassic category and will spice up your landscape with a special colorful look that can't be missed. I am not sure of the exact 'official' cold hardy status, but last winter I left a few out to endure the winter unprotected as usual and they came back just fine through 3 or 4 freezes. Safely, I would say zone 8 with protection, probably 7b. Don't miss out! These are a wonderful plant to be able to admire in your own garden! Get them while they are small, should be 12+ inches in 3-5 weeks of growing temperatures. 2 Plants One price! Alocasia Frydek - (Alocasia micholitziana) This plant is a well known alocasia introduced about 3-4 years ago and has made its way into the aroids favorites collection. I doubt that any photo will reveal just how stunning this plant really appears as in real life. Until you see it sitting there with your own eyes, its beauty can not be appreciated. The soft, velvety leaves are a very dark green with pulsating white veins and an overall sheen when the light hits them. They look like you could use them as baby wipes they look so soft. Unlike some of the other white veined alocasia species like Amazonica or purpley that have a stiff, glossy-waxy appearance, these just add a soft touch with an extremely vivid contrast to your home or garden. These plants can be enjoyed all year round as they make an excellent potted specimens and can be an indoor plant due to their low light tolerance. The Frydek is one of the easiest alocasias to grow and are rapid growing. The over all height is 2-3 ft with 8-12 long leaves x 6+ in wide. Ya really can't go wrong here. If you don't have these, then you're missing out! Alocasia micholitziana is a very easy plant to raise and just can't be strongly said enough how much of a contrast it adds to the visual aesthetics of anyone's world!
Available Again Soon! $0.00 per strong Alocasia Frydek starter plants .Alocasia macrorrhiza "New Guinea Gold" - Zones 7 and up. Alocasia macrorrhiza ‘New Guinea Gold’ is a fun, colorful, and easy to grow macrorrhiza variety that originates from Papua New Guinea. The plant's "gold dust" mottling appears erratically throughout its life and its habit for producing variegated leaves is only at certain times of the year. Usually the variegation appears in late summer through autumn, however the plant can go an entire season without producing its matte yellow variegation. Don't worry if it does this, it will surprise you with a fresh variegated season soon enough. There seems to be no scientific or habitual reason for this growing behavior. When these plants are young the leaves are normally completely green, (but not always) as the speckling gold dust begins a few months later. As the plant ages, the upright leaves grow into very thick and tall to 6 feet on strong stems, spewing a pure tropical look to any scenery. The leaves turn glossy over the green and gold speckling making this elephant ear plant very unique. It is one of the hardiest of all elephant ear plants being able to survive 0 degrees F, not a typo, but naturally does prefer warmer conditions. Just for the element of surprise and the size of this Plantae being, this makes a wonderful addition to your own eyes. You'll never know what to expect besides a giant elephant ear plant that is able to survive cold weather. Collectors Choice!
Available Again Soon! $0.00 Alocasia New Guinea Gold starter plants 5-7" tall Alocasia Macrorrhiza Lutea - Common Name - 'Solid Gold" Zones 9 and up. Alocasia Macrorrhiza 'Lutea' is from Papua New Guinea and has leaves which are quite undulate at the margins and are deep dark green with a yellow veins and vivid yellow stems. The cultivar is distinguished by its brilliant, vivid yellow petioles. The stem colors can vary in adults from an orange to bright yellow to yellow-green. The inflorescence has a yellow peduncle and a canary-yellow spathe. This has been sold in the past under the name Alocasia 'Gold' and rightly so. Since the stems and veins are chartreuse, this is where the Latin term Lutea (yellow) comes into play here. They grow to about 5-6 feet tall (maybe larger in warm climates?) on stiff upright leaves. Being a cultivar of the Macrorrhiza family, you shouldn't expect less. The more light these receive, the brighter the stem and the darker the leaf will be. Young plants are more green until they get a few leaves. They are slower growing than the regular Macrorrhiza but when grown in well lit areas, will still grow fast enough to satisfy any collector with precious regular newly produced foliage. These are normally sell at much higher prices under the name of "Seven Colors". The seven colors is a variation of the Alocasia Lutea with plashes of green/yellow, stem striations and orange and tints of red. Get a good deal while these are young. These have been grown in 70-80% sun so there shouldn't be a problem planting them anywhere and having them do well. Plants grow to 5-6 feet! Available Again Soon! $0.00 per each Alocasia Lutea pup approx: 10-14" tall growing in one gallon containers. Alocasia x Calidora (formerly known as Persian Palm, Calodora & Caladora) - (A. Gagaena California x A. Odora) Zones 7b-10 - Definitely gets the "easy award". You really can't lose trying this plant either. It can handle extreme flooding or long periods of drought. Non Invasive. What a great plant to have and now is the perfect time to to plant! Where ever these are grown they add a tropical look to the area. These are like owning a miniature Borneo Giant! These plants grow to heights of 7-12 feet tall (maybe taller) and the somewhat serrated deep green leaves grow to 42+" long and 36+" wide! Over time if allowed, they form 'trunks' like A. Macrorrhiza and X. Sagittifolium does that pushes the leaves even higher into the air. Mature leaves are a rounded, heart shaped, dark green on the surface that are held atop by thick green stems like arms. Can be container grown or placed in the yard. To grow to its full potential, it should be planted in ground to allow roots to spread (and they will), but can be over wintered in a container in colder areas. If grown in a container, it should be a large (15 gallon or better) to allow the plant space. They will live and grow in smaller pots but may not get to full potential. They can produce babies (pups) soon after planting that can be shared with friends or replanted in another location. They will give a real full look if grouped by twos. Needs well draining soil like other alocasias and are fast growing. What a beautiful different plant to have that is very easy to grow, strong and appealing. Likes bright light but will do well in 80% shade, just wont grow as fast. If grown in full sun, will need more frequent watering. These will get LARGE! These are rapid growing and are ready to be placed in a larger container or yard. If you're looking for large Jurassic style plants to beef up your landscape, this would be a great choice! These don't need fertilizers but if you do, they will respond well. A care sheet is sent with all purchases to help you grow with better success. The bases are thickening up and they should be huge in a short time! They're such an easy plant to grow, you don't need a green thumb for them to grow nice for you! Grows to heights of at least 7-12 feet tall with mammoth leaves on top of a trunk like stem! This plant
(among others) is a result of one of the many projects produced from
extensive hybrid research by LariAnn Garner at the Aroidia Research lab back
in the 1980's. They are continuing to introduce new hybrids as their
projects continue. Since its introduction onto mainstream collectors, it has become a very popular favorite and are
now found growing all over the North and South America (probably quite a few
in Europe as well) to huge sizes. You should visit Aroidia Research site
2 Plants - One Price! Alocasia Plumbea "Nigra" - Zones 9 and up. Also called Metallica, These are very easy and fool proof to grow! This really caught my eye when looking around a collectors green house, so I had to get them to share (and of course set a few out for myself). The thick leaves will be dark green/purplish color and shiny as will the petioles as they mature. It really reached out and grabbed me in the sea of green leafed plants I was looking at. Very easy to grow and strong stemmed, this is sure to be one of your favorites as well! Growing to about 5 feet with leaves about 2+ ft long and almost as wide sitting in top of a strong deep deep purple stem. I believe in some areas this plant is also known as Alocasia Purpurea Nigrum, Indica or "Metallica". No matter what it is called it certainly is a wonderful large leafed fast growing plant to have sitting your line of vision. Being an Alocasia of this color, it will need high light; either a couple hours of direct sun or a few hours of bright indirect sun to do its best. As with all aroids, they like moist well drained soil. These would probably do best in a filtered light position unit they grow a few leaves. Makes an excellent potted specimen for your patio or pool area and should be able to be over wintered like other alocasias in colder areas. Don't leave this one out of your collection. Get a good deal while these are young. Collectors Choice! Alocasia Aurora - **NEW** - Pink Stemmed Elephant Ears! Hardy to Zone 8 - Maybe cooler zones, since this plant was officially collected in Bangkok in February, 2004 and brought to America to be tissue cultured and distributed in 2005, we all have a better idea about this plants characteristics. A VERY DIFFERENT alocasia by every sense... the stems are light pink when younger and gradually turn deeper pink/red as they mature. The leaf veins are very pronounced silver as they age but the most strange thing about them is the base where the new leaves emerge. They emerge bright lime green but the structure is unlike most alocasias and blows my mind every time I see a new leaf emerge. When asked the opinion of a world renown aroid expert (and the man responsible for introducing the Alocasia Robusta for mainstream production and protection from extinction) for information, he had never seen one prior and thinks that it may be a hybrid of A. Longiloba x A. Ornata, but was not sure and was only making an educated guess. No one is 100% sure how large it will grow or how cold hardy it is, so it's a safe bet to say Zone 8. They are a clumping plant and do not need to worry about being invasive. I do know for a fact that it is a rapid growing plant even in 80% shade. Time will reveal all the details but in the meantime... Look at the picture of this beauty, it says it all! They are bright, strong pastel pink color stems with the shiny lime green color leaves. The rounded end lobes on the leaves close far away from the petiole when young and grow longer and more pointed as they grow older. The plants are known to grow to at least 3-4 feet in height with nicely proportioned leaves but may grow larger, no one knows yet. Who ever has them will see in a little while. Still, what a magnificent plant that will add that much more color to your garden. These should be grown in filtered light or indoors, well lighted area. Don't pass this up, who knows when or if these will be available again. If they are, they are sure to be a most wanted plant! I will add pics as they grow but there are no larger images available at this time from here but may be from other sources in the coming months. Makes an excellent indoor plant due to its low light/shade tolerance. Collectors Choice! Excellent Indoor / Patio potted House Plant! 2 Plants One price! Alocasia Cuprea - Zone 8b - 11 - New for 2008! Perfect House Plant! This one is new to me so I will go by the zone 9 cold hardiness. What a strange and unique looking plant! The newer leaves until mature look like polished copper metal giving even the rainbow of colored shines in different light positions. The leaves are not as stiff as they appear with the indented veins pushing out the flesh of the leaf and the under curl of the outside edge, it really is a special plant! This medium-small aroid is well known for some time and the leaves eventually turn to a deep green shade as the plant matures. The midribs and veins are indented giving a very unique showing. Likes bright filtered light and is easy to grow. No garden is complete without this colorful leafed plant. Like most elephant ears, these love moist situations, but can grow anywhere once established. They like partial shade, but will grow strong in full sun if watered well. Fast growing and an excellent addition to your collection! These are excellent plants for someone that wants a hardy, low maintenance plant that grows fast, in a short amount of time!
2 Plants One price! Alocasia Advincula - Common Name Batwing or Batman - Zones 9 - 11. Not for the beginner! Not difficult, but does need a strict watering schedule to successfully grow and multiply. Simply, keep the soil on the dry side and the plant away from the cold. The alocasia Batwing is a new species found in 2004 and is now ready to be in your possession and added to your collection. They are like no other alocasia having a more sleek, arrow head shaped leaf with thick dark olive green skin that points upwards. The lobes are sharply pointed on both ends and the leaves become deeply undulate as seen in the photo below. The stems are mottled with deep forest greens over a lighter green background and they grow to heights of about 3-4 ft tall. Being tolerant of low light areas, this strange and different elephant ear plant is perfect for indoor growing or that area of shade in your garden where its hard to find plants that will thrive. A perfect understory specimen! In colder areas, this should make a wonderful indoor plant that is sure be a conversation ice breaker. Be the only kid on the block to have one of these! Like most alocasias it likes shade, warmth and moist but not saturated soil and should be allowed to dry in-between waterings. the plant is a little finicky to constant humid and hot conditions so if your climate is experiencing a long period of rainy hot days, simply keep these plants as dry as possible and only water when the soil is dry. Thank you for looking. Collectors Choice! Advincula Advincula Advincula Advincula Makes an excellent Indoor potted specimen! Temporarily Out of Stock Alocasia Odora - Zones 7b-10 Cold Hardy - What a great plant to have! Sometimes called the Night Lily, these are more cold hardy than most elephant ears, and are used frequently in landscapes. their clumping feature makes these a stunning appearance wherever they are planted. They grow to heights of 6 feet and the rounded upright sagittate leaves grow to approx 36" long and 24" wide! leaf color is a beautiful bright to dark green that sits a-top their stiff green stems. Likes bright light but will do well in shade as well. Can be container grown or placed in the yard and look great around ponds. Needs well draining soil like other alocasias and are fast growing. They grow pups and the rhizomes can be divided once older for more plants. What a beautiful different, dark green, large leafed plant to have. Likes bright light but will do well in0 shade and as a houseplant. Plants grow to 6-8+ feet! Alocasia California Gagaena - Zones 7b-10 Cold Hardy - These are similar to the Odora but there are subtle differences such as more leaf segments, frillier edges and leaves don't get as large but do get to a nice full size if allowed. The end lobes have a 'shelf' that remains even in adult sized leaves whereas the Odora leaves lose the "shelf" after a few leaves grow into maturity. These are one of the most cold tolerant Alocasias known and should be used in landscapes more often. Their clumping feature give these an unmatched appearance. They grow to heights of 6+ feet and the rounded upright sagittate leaves grow to approx 24" long and almost wide! The leaf color is a beautiful bright to dark green that sits on top of their stiff green stems. Likes bright light but will do well in shade but will take longer to get to their optimum size. Full sun is recommended with plenty of water. Can be container grown or placed in the yard and look great around ponds. Needs well draining soil like other alocasias and are fast growing. They grow pups and the rhizomes can be divided once older for more plants. What a beautiful different plant to have. Likes bright light but will do well in shade and as a houseplant. Plants grow to at least 5-6 feet!
Cyrtosperma Johnstonii - Zone 9 Collectors Choice! This truly tropical aroid is not very well known but a few in the plant's genus have been used as a food source in warm countries such as Malesia and other parts of Asia. This beautiful plant will be the talk of your collection and those who look upon it will most certainly want one as well. The succulent stems are deeply mottled in a dark green color over a lighter translucent background with curved thorns growing up and down from the leaf to the roots, this is very unusual for a succulent aroid stem. These grow to heights of at least 4-5 feet and probably taller with leaves 2-3 feet in length and almost as wide. The shape of the leaf is almost a perfect triangle with sharply pointed tips when mature and very pronounced red veins over deeper greens. See the photos below of a mid size adult plant. The hooded inflorescence is black on the outside with a cream colored interior adding even more contrast. The flowers are fully bi-sexual. This is not an Alocasia but I am placing on all pages so everyone will have a chance to own this awesome newly introduced plant! It needs moist and warm conditions to thrive (being found in swampy conditions) and should be kept in partial shade. Bright indirect light will be excellent to grow this magnificent plant. The underground creeping rhizome will allow this plant to produce pups if taken care of properly but is not invasive. This plant should be brought indoors and protected from temperatures below 45 degrees. Besides that it is one of the most interesting plants I've come across in a while it is A Very fast & EASY to grow plant!
The leaves remain this color throughout their lives but become wider, more triangular shaped and darker green with pronounced red veins. Available Again Soon! Cyrtosperma johnstonii plants Amorphophallus titanum (Titan Arum, Bunga Bangkai or "Corpse flower") - Tropical Climates for outdoors - Can be over wintered indoors by keeping the tuber warm and on the dry side. No matter what you decide to call it (some even name theirs), there will be no mistake on what it is or ever detract attention from all who look upon its magnificent appearance. Best kept in a greenhouse environment unless you live in a tropical zone 10 conditions, these unrealistic plants just ooze oddity displaying the largest true flower in the world. While not in bloom and this will for a good length of time), you can enjoy its dark green unusual lobed leaf that should grow to several feet tall on a massive stem. As a member of the aroid family, its not a difficult plant to grow and anyone with a slightly green thumb should be able to enjoy this and anticipate its bloom. When you do get yours to bloom, you should alert the media as it could attract world wide attention (not to mention the neighbors as it emits its odorous perfume). That is an understatement of course as this flower's odor is described as a repulsive, "rotting-fish with-burnt-sugar" scent to attract the plant's pollinators. Willing to put up with this, a few diligent folks have had to cover their noses. You should have excellent results nurturing this giant aroid by growing it in bright indirect light with moist, rich in compost, well draining soil, high humidity and a balanced supply of fertilizer. These plants have not went dormant for the 2007-2008 season and may or may not. There seems to be no pattern to follow of when they will or will not go through a dormant period. They are growing with a green leaf as of now. Mandela's Gold Bird of paradise - Strelitzia reginae Gold Variety - Zones 8b-11 - Cold Hardy and Easy to Care for! New for 2008! We have been nurturing these plants that were grown from seed from late 2006. They are the coveted Mandelas Golden bird of paradise. The leaves are deep green and the plants tend to clump and then form their beautiful golden, red, pink hued and blue blooms! It's like yellow crested birds poking their necks out of the bushes. The Plants grow to about 5 feet tall and just as wide and are surprisingly faster growing than I originally thought. Definitely makes for a beautiful flower and could be placed at either side of your entrance way or lanai. They are perfect as a potted plant or outside just under the window sill as a mid foreground plant. Flowers are said to be long lasting making an excellent cut flower inventory plant. Anywhere you place these, they will show off a bright yellow crown with deep blue hues in the 'head' of the birds. These are not very common yet so here's your chance to obtain an awesome variety of Strelitzia reginae family plant. Like all of these plants in this family, they like a moist well drained soil and bright light to do their best. Once established they will be able to stand more drought if needed. They do seem to be neglect proof as we try to find out with at least one |
