Alocasia hints and tips?

[DarrenH]

I have bought a few Alocasia and Colocasia species in the Amulree sale:
A Calidora
A Macrorrhizos
A Mayan Mask
A Yucatan Princess
C Dark Stem Hybrid
C Fontanescii
C Black Beauty

Just a few questions so I can give them a good start! Will the Alocasia species be happy if bedded out in the ground, or should they be left in pots? Either way what soil mix should I give them (I was planning to add plenty of grit to the bed to improve drainage around the roots)? What low temps should I be looking out for before bringing in for winter? I'm planning to keep them ticking over indoors over winter but I understand Red Spider Mite can be an issue - any ways of avoiding this?
Any other hints or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks, Darren.

[Mr List]

a.mac is a total pain, leave it in a pot.

[Arlon Tishmarsh]

a.mac is a total pain, leave it in a pot.

I'm finding that. I planted one out months ago and its put out just one small leaf (small plant anyway). Repotted it a couple of days ago and now back in the g/h hoping the extra heat will bring it on.

Its probably my inexperience tho i would suspect

[The Codfather]

and here..... I thought it as just me.

[pdid]

Mine 3, after suffering a Red Spider Mite attack earleir in the spring, it has pushed out a measly 2 (small) leaves. This despite being in a conservatory between 30 and 35c most days and sat on a heat mat and watered with warm water

[pdid]

I think the general rule of thumb is keep dryish below 15c, and moist above 15c.

[Mr List]

a.mac is a total pain, leave it in a pot.

I'm finding that. I planted one out months ago and its put out just one small leaf (small plant anyway). Repotted it a couple of days ago and now back in the g/h hoping the extra heat will bring it on.

Its probably my inexperience tho i would suspect

it needs to be really hot all the time.

i think it needs bringing in on a night all year round tbh.

[DarrenH]

Looks like I'll be leaving A Mac in a pot then, thanks for the advice.
I knew they'd have to come inside in winter, but every night!!? Maybe not such a good buy (but I still love the look of them!), just going to have try and give them the best conditions I can and keep my fingers crossed!
Any other ideas?
Many thanks...

[Mr List]

if we had a proper summer they should be ok against a south facing wall all summer

[Arlon Tishmarsh]

it needs to be really hot all the time.

i think it needs bringing in on a night all year round tbh.

Mr L

Good job i repotted and brought it back in the greenhouse. Its 35.9 deg ( 97 f) in there at the moment ( 1.30 pm) and not the hottest part of the day yet. Outside is 26.5 deg ( 80 f), enough to make a difference i'd say.

[Dave Brown]

Alocasia Mac is great in the states and can reach huge proportions in their 35 to 40C summer, but even there they say plant on an east facing sunny site so that the early morning sun can heat it up and get it motorin' for more of the day. Mac is not really good here unless in the best microclimate (baked).

Much better are Alocasia odora and hybrids as that can grow in much cooler conditions. Being cool tolerant, will mean it does grow in cooler conditions, but will grow faster, the warmer you can keep it

A Calidora (Hybrid A gaganea x A odora - cool tolerant) LariAnn Garner
A Macrorrhiza (species)
A Mayan Mask ( Hybrid A machot........ unpronouncable name, so I can't spell it x A odora - cool tolerant) Brian Williams
A Yucatan Princess (sport of A. macrhorriza)
C Dark Stem Hybrid (relatively cool tolerant)
C Fontanesii (one of the more cool tolerant)
C Black Beauty (reasonable cool tolerance, but slow to start without some warmth)

For compost see HERE

[The Codfather]

I need a Alocasia odora or hybrid then

[Mr List]

i have given up on alocasia and i am going with colocasia goali and formosana all the way now.

[Dave Brown]

i have given up on alocasia and i am going with colocasia goali and formosana all the way now.

I dunno , just can't get the dedication these days

[Arlon Tishmarsh]

i have given up on alocasia and i am going with colocasia goali and formosana all the way now.

Nah, don't give it up if you still have it.

Half the fun is the challenge