Alocasia calidora

[Kim]

Impulse purchase on the way home today. It's in a one-gallon pot, just a little pup right now, but I'm looking forward to the huge upright leaves.

Anyone growing this? Is it best to keep it in a pot, or can it go directly in the ground? I don't know much about it, just really like the leaves. Would love to hear any tips for success. Thanks!

[ariscott]

I am not good with names.... as Scott (my other half) is the aroids nut in the family. But as far as I know.... most alocasia don't like being in pots for too long. I lost a lot of them that way.... while we were in transit, waiting for our house getting built. If you have somewhere to plant it, I would.

Regards, Ari

[BigFrond]

Mine is pretty big and it has around 5 pups. These guys like fast draining water soil like that for palms. You should amend your soil with potting mix and mulch to get these guys to fatten up. Plant it away from wind to prevent leaf damage.

[tropicalb]

All the alocasias are awesome plants kim....and they will get big FAST! Give them plenty of room to grow. I have had no problem growing them in pots. The great thing about them is they produce blooms in no time, and also produce a lot of pups that you can easily transplant.

Alocasia "Portadora Shield" is another good one.

[metalfan]

If memory serves Calidora is a cross between californicum and odora?

Should be a fairly large grower.

I have Portea and Portodora which are both big plants that are trunk forming and get huge.

I'd say in So Cal, plant it out. Its no less than root hardy for sure.

[kahili]

A. x calidoras are great aroids! They are even hardy (roots) here in Raleigh, NC. Its a cross between A.odora and A. gageana (common name is California). The gageana stays small, about 3', but pups like crazy and the odora is where the size comes in. If you want it big, put it in the ground in well draining soil and feed it lots, and make sure it doesn't dry out in the summer when its actively growing. You can keep it in a pot-same rules about the food and water, and the bigger the pot, the bigger it will grow.

[Kim]

Okay, it sounds like this is going to be fun to grow! As in BIG. Yay!

Uh, is the odora a good odora or a bad odora?

Thanks for all the input, much appreciated!

[Matt in SD]

Hi Kim,

I have these (and have some for sale too!). Alocasias and colocasias don't grow well for me in the ground. I have no idea why, but they tend to rot, and usually when I check there are some small creatures eating them. My calidora did pretty well for a while, but then started trunking and the leaves are much smaller then before it had trunk. I can't really complain though because a lot of stuff grows very well in my garden...but it is weird.

The smell from the flower is good. Mine actually never pupped, or the pups all died. But it set seed several times and we grew lots of plants from seed.

Matt

[ariscott]

It is weird, Matt. I found that in pots, they tend to rot. Maybe because it is cold where you are???

Regards, Ari

[LJG]

One thing I noticed about these is if they were pot grown too long and have started trunking, then the leaf size is what you see. They do not get bigger once they trunk. So if it is a thin trunk, expect smaller leaves. If grown in lose, rich soil they can get huge!

[Eric in Orlando]

Alocasia 'Calidora' is a strong grower, it has hybrid vigor. This one will grow an above ground stem. Some of ours have 5-6ft trunks.

Alocasia 'Portora' ia another vigorous hybrid to get. It is a cross of A. portei and A. odora, it has more pointed leaves with scalloped edges

[Phil]

Kim,

We've been growing them for about 5 years and have tried about 10 species. Some Alocasia are better for us than others. Your's should do fine in Point Loma. I think they are a bit prettier if in partial sun; less yellow and bigger leaves. Be aware that strong winds can tear the leaves. Good drainage is important. Also consider the shorter Esculente Black Magic or Midnight. They are quite attractive and you should be able to grow them easily.

Phil