Alocasia robusta

[Troppoz]

OK today I received my Alocasia robusta that I won on Ebay

This plant is one Ive been searching for for all of my adult life, now Ive got one!

Its the largest undivided leaf blade of any plant in the world, up to 4 metres long on a plant 6 metres tall! Sadly however it does not perform well out of its native habitat in equatorial Borneo and has a reputation for breaking gardeners hearts being very prone to sudden death

Well I hope that my climate will be a big positive for it, being much closer to its home climate than Florida where most of the literature seems to come from. From what I can gather it likes very moist but very well drained soils and seems to require innoculation with soil micro-organisms and maybe even companion planting. LariAnn Garner who has created such gems as A. x Portadora and the new A. x Rubodora seems to be a recognised expert on this plant and Ive asked her for advice on how to grow it but as yet Ive not had a response...

Here is LariAnns webpage on robusta;

http://aroidiaresearch.org/alorobu.htm

Well Im going to pot it up into a well drained orchid mix and keep it in a shady spot and see how it progresses (regresses?). Ill keep it in a pot until it pups and then I plan to trial the pups in different spots in the garden. I am lucky enough to have parts of the garden that are very well drained and parts that can get very saturated which allows me to grow a wider range of plants so hoping I can find just the righ spot for this beauty.

Ill keep you all updated on how I go with this plant...

[Dim]

Nice One!

was reading the link about taking care of it and most of what is needed is available at hydroponic stores or on ebay

herewith links of products I would use, based on the article ... these should be easily available in Australia from hydroponic stores, if not, they are available online, or off ebay

for the the airpots : http://www.camgrow.co.uk/air-pots/
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for the potting medium:
Plagron Bat mix:
http://www.u-grow.com/acatalog/batmix.html

I'd add a bit more perlite to that
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for the Tricoderma microorganisms:
Advanced Nutrients Piranha:
http://www.advancednutrients.com/hydrop ... mation.php

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she mentions Iron and manganese:
Advanced Nutrients Sensi:
http://www.advancednutrients.com/hydrop ... mation.php
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for root development:
Advanced Nutrients Voodoo Juice (which also contains the Baccilus innoculants):
http://www.advancednutrients.com/hydrop ... mation.php
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for the spider mites:
http://growersbook.com/reviews/nutrient ... eview.html
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and as a general tonic (guano, earthworm castings, yucca, krill, alfalfa, volcanic ash etc):
Advanced Nutrients Iguana Juice:
http://www.advancednutrients.com/hydrop ... cience.php

use as a foliar spray
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all a bit overboard, and some items are pricey, but bear in mind that some of those only use 4ml per litre of water, so you get 250 litres of top quality nutrient which goes a long way

the advanced nutrients are pretty strong, so it's recomended to use a little less than what the label states

keep us updated!

[Troppoz]

Thanks Dim, Ill check it all out. With this plant its worth the extra hassle and expense to get it growing so I have no qualms about spending money on what it needs

[Rick1965]

Sean are you able to purchase the Nephrolepis ferns mentioned in the article?

[Yorkshire Kris]

Congratulations!!

You're juvenile plant looks very different from the adult form?

[Troppoz]

Rick Im not aware of that particular species of fern but we do have many Nephrolepis ferns here. Ill try experimenting with them once I get a pup or two on the go.

Chris considering the leaf on my plant is no more than 15cms as opposed to 4m Id expect it to be different. It does have the white underside which is diagnostic of robusta. One thing for sure its not any Alocasia Ive ever grown before!

[Dim]

Rick Im not aware of that particular species of fern but we do have many Nephrolepis ferns here. Ill try experimenting with them once I get a pup or two on the go.

I read an article where LariAnn said the fern is Nephrolepis biserrata (macho fern)

[Dave Brown]

Nice one Sean, hope you manage to keep it going to become giant proportions.

From what I have read it needs to be treated the way I treat most of my Alocasia.... in a tiny pot, to increase the ratio of root to compost, with a very open mix. Then constantly watered when warm, but in this one's case it doesn't do anything other than warm (hot to us in UK)

How will you treat it in your dry season? Will the humidity be high enough?

[Alexander]

I have seen Alocasia robusta ones in the wild. That was near Kutching in Khuba National Park at Gunung Serapi. It grows along the Rayu trail where you can see it.

Awesome plants.

Alexander

[Alexander]

Its Kubah N.P. by the way.

Alexander

[Alexander]

That Kubah National Park is just 1.30 degrees north of the equator. So much more tropical then that you can, t get, always hot and humid...

Alexander

[Troppoz]

Thanks Alexander, Id love to see this plant growing in the wild, heck id just love to see one growing!

I asked my step-father about it the other day. Despite me leaving him with explicit instructions on caring for it and how special it was and that even if every other plant fell by the wayside as long as this plant got individual attention I would be happy.

Anyway after taking some time for him to locate it I was told that it was thriving and sending out heaps of pups Still relatively small leaves though but the fact that its pupping means it must be satisfied with its circumstances. Hopefully now that hes been reminded of its importance he might keep a closer eye on it since it will be a year or more until I get home. Till then it just has to take its chances it seem...

[flounder]

Of course, it could be sending out pups in an attempt to keep itself alive after having the top growth damaged

[Troppoz]

Of course, it could be sending out pups in an attempt to keep itself alive after having the top growth damaged

It doesnt even bear mentioning yes but it did cross my mind...being a bit of an optimist I decided to reject that hypothesis and substitute my own