Alocasia 'Sarian'

The leaves are amazing.
I guess the spider mites also thought so :o)

Yes, the spider mites love most of my houseplants.

last summer I almost bought an alocasia for my pond...but it was expensive and I didn't have time to read up and do it right so I passed on it...I wish now that I had taken the chance...It would have had to winter indoors like my pond plants..."Sarian" is beautifully marked...can you recommend any varieties that might take kindly to the indoor culture over winters? I would love to add an alocasia and a strelitzia to my summer (tropical) garden.

Lori:

Many of the Alocasia species are very tropical...most will go dormant in Winter in temperate climates - not unless you have a heated greenhouse.
As houseplants they tend to get a lot of spider mites.

I was thinking about making a "plant shower stall" in the basement. so that I could put my plants under a shower( like in nature) at least every couple of weeks...do you think that might help with the mites?

Lori:

Yes, that should - spider mites like a dry environment. If you spray the leaves with water that usually keeps the bugs and mites to a minimum.

I notice the tiny offsets at the base of the main shoot...can you separate them while they are very small like that, or do you have to wait until they are larger before removing them from the parent plant? How often do they produce the offsets...is it ongoing or only in spring?

Lori:

Most species of Alocasia species are very easy to divide at any size.
Some species of Alocasia produce many off-shoots. The tubers can be even divided before the tops start growing.

I've decided that this year I will have some alocasias...thanks Delonix1.

Lori:

You're welcome!

Alocasia plants are an interesting tropical addition to any garden. The tubers can be stored over winter if they die back and will regrow in Spring.

Well that won't be any problem at all as I have expanded my collection of Canna indica... have three var. now...and overwinter the roots by digging and storing.. Tried something different this winter, I potted up one of the slower ones (it was just starting to bloom as we were expecting our first frost) I put it down in my family room under some very weak plant lights (unfortunately) it finished blooming and I let it die back and stopped watering...now i've resumed watering and put them in the light...I hope they've survived...(I'm determined to have a jungle one way or another!) I will have to make a storage facility as well as a plant shower in the basement,

Lori:

It sounds like you have a good plan. Canna are similar to Alocasia and can be cultivated the same way.

I have a very large-leafed canna and some other dwarf ones that grow throughout the year...however, I cut the large ones back to the ground except for the newer stems because they get ratty looking from the wind.

Will have to look for the giants this year!

Lori:

This large species I have can grow to 15 feet tall and has small scarlet flowers. It is originally from Thailand. I'm not sure of the species name.

wow! be sure to post pics of Sarian as the summer progresses, please?

Lori:

The Alocasia 'Sarian' is doing very well. I will take a photo of this plant soon.
It has many little plants that I need to separate. I need to put it in the ground where the sow bugs won't eat the tubers.
I have lost some Alocasias and Papayas trees from the sow bugs in the past.

And I thought sow bugs were pretty harmless! live and learn...I have tons of them in my compost area...I thought they just munched the compost and went their merry way...haven't seen any in the beds where I've put the compost...hmmmm...a puzzlement. my curse is the earwigs...they seem susceptible to a lure... they will eat other insects and only seem to bother the plants if it is very dry...

Lori:

Yes, they eat decomposing matter most of the time. However, the tubers of Alocasia, Colocasia and my Papaya tree trunks are a delicacy to sow bugs. These are herbaceous and the sow bugs love them. Earwigs are another huge problem...they are so active all year just like sow bugs. Earwigs eat almost everything! However, they don't eat the plants in the Araceae (Arum) family nor my papayas.

ah!!! is that why they don't bother the calla lilies I have? LOL...growing papayas...(in my dreams!) lol....I suppose they grow quite huge too? saw some pics recently of the huge cockroaches in Hawaii... Yikes!

Lori:

I am originally from Honolulu, Hawaii ...and roaches do grow huge there...however, they grow just as large here and fly also.. YUCK!!! LOL! I absolutely hate roaches!

I posted some comments on GoY member Milky's Compost photo recently...and how, I can't compost because of the thousands of roaches they attact and other critters.

Oh dear me!...I'm a compost fanatic...how would my stuff grow if I couldn't give them the nice rich compost every spring? I do sympathize ...so along with all the wonderful vegetation that grows huge and lush you also have the other facets of nature, just as large...lol. The good with the not so good! Ever tried making manure tea? a bit smelly but it is organic and works wonders in the garden.

One day, I'll have to get a closed compost container. They work really well and are closed up enough so the other critter don't get into it.

I've never tried making manure tea...however, I use a lot of manure since it's only 88 cents a bag at Home Depot. I use it on almost every plant.

I'm posting another photo of my Alocasia 'Sarian' today.

Fantastic plant - I have one of these myself, not that big yet, but it's nice and healthy nonetheless

I've brought my colocasias inside. Hope I can move them successfully as we move the last week of December! Lots of room for a greenhouse!

Alocoloman:

Thanks! This plant doesn't look as good anymore. It's planted in my front yard and need to be moved to a sunnier spot.

Lori:

The Colocasia should do well, as long as it doesn't freeze.

Good luck with your move! I hate moving myself...however, I do know one day I will move again...hopefully, to a bigger house with a lot more land. (I can wish) LOL :>)

We've just bought almost eight acres. I hope your wish comes true!

Lori:

Thanks! :>)

WOW! That's great! You can make a huge conservatory on that much land...and also a large botanical garden.

All I need now is the fountain of youth! botanical garden? hmmmm.... I've been giving thought to trying an oriental theme...lots of time to mull things over.

Lori:

I know what you mean. LOL! :>)

If I had that kind of acreage, I would have to hire a crew of gardeners.

Would it be lovely? I'd have to win the lottery before I could afford to hire a crew! That's why I have to find the fountain of youth...I'll be doing most of the work myself!

Lori:

Wouldn't it be terrific to win the lottery? I would have a huge garden...with that crew of gardeners. lol! I can wish, can't I? :>)

Well of course...
"Fairy tales can come true...
It can happen to you..
If you're young at heart!
For it's hard, you will find
To be narrow of mind..
If you're young at heart!"
And if you should survive
To a hundred and five
Think of all you'll derive
Ourt of being alive...
And here's the best part..
You have a headstart
If you are among the very young at heart!"

I'm feeling lyrical today...but I've always thought that money was money...but happiness was better to find.
And some people say that peace of mind is being happy with what we have. I'm thrilled about the 8 acres and Ilook at the garden I'm leaving with a good feeling in my heart... but the daydreams I'm having about the new garden... Fantastic. I wish some of that same joy for all of us GoY members!