Last spring 'Big Al' was growing leaves that broke against the conservatory roof, so I knew it's days were numbered. It has grown away quite happily in the summer mainly producing flowers, rather than leaves Nevertheless Big Al was too tall to come back into the conservatory so drastic action was required.
Life history in pics HERE
Yesterday, with the prospect of colder nights this week, Big Al had to face the axe, or the saw to be more precise.
First the leaves were removed
Then the top of the rhizome sawn off
Rhizome tidied up and drying off before being dry stored over winter.
The base and pups were then put in the conservatory and the rhizome will be started off in spring 'Big Al' Alocasia x calidora, hacked down in it's prime :-o
- Dave Brown
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'Big Al' Alocasia x calidora, hacked down in it's prime :-o
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: 'Big Al' Alocasia x calidora, hacked down in it's prime
Nooooooooo How could you Dave!!
I suppose at least this way you get to keep it and of couse plenty more pups to enjoy
H
I suppose at least this way you get to keep it and of couse plenty more pups to enjoy
H
Re: 'Big Al' Alocasia x calidora, hacked down in it's prime
Glad you didn't video it, Dave. I'm squeamish
My Ali mac looks a lot like yours before it was beheaded (Yours, that is). Not as brave as you are, Dave, but then I don't have an overhead problem with this. It will shortly be heading for the local school gymnasium and the roof and skylights there are more than twenty feet high.
As for my little Al cal, its way too young to have nightmares about having its head chopped off
My Ali mac looks a lot like yours before it was beheaded (Yours, that is). Not as brave as you are, Dave, but then I don't have an overhead problem with this. It will shortly be heading for the local school gymnasium and the roof and skylights there are more than twenty feet high.
As for my little Al cal, its way too young to have nightmares about having its head chopped off
- Yorkshire Kris
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Re: 'Big Al' Alocasia x calidora, hacked down in it's prime
Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. I'm sure both plants will be fine over winter.
- The Codfather
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Re: 'Big Al' Alocasia x calidora, hacked down in it's prime
Would I be right is saying Al stays in a pot all year and just blended in the border ?
AKA - Martin
Wish list - Big Palms or Dicksonia antarctica's but open to anything really.....Cash Waiting !
Wish list - Big Palms or Dicksonia antarctica's but open to anything really.....Cash Waiting !
- Dave Brown
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19742
- Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Chalk, (Thames Estuary) Kent, England 51.5N 0.3E
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Re: 'Big Al' Alocasia x calidora, hacked down in it's prime
It has been planted out in the past, but where I put it the last 2 years is sheltered but can't be dug so is placed behind other plants to hide the pot. Alocasia don't mind being in small pots provided they get enough water when warmThe Codfather wrote:Would I be right is saying Al stays in a pot all year and just blended in the border ?
Most of the plants in this pic are in pots.
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk