They have always been bad about ID's. They have Philodendron squamiferums in all the grocery stores and box stores here at the moment with no ID. If you know what it is, you know what it is. And its actually a good deal.....a 2 gal I think (not a 3, somewhere around a 1.5 or a 2) with 4-5 stems, mature leaf form for $49. But they haven;t been selling well so some have been on sale for $34.99 lately. Since I have had one for like 10 years I have no need of another. But its a good deal for folks who don;t have one.
This has always been one of my most favorite Alocasias. A. cuprea. Very thick coriaceous leaves, very shiny. The color can change according to the light. Some people believe there are 2 forms, there is one marketed separately as 'Red Secret'. But its not really any different....just grown in different light. This one was grown in a terrarium for a while until it got too big and I had to take it out...not its just in ordinary greenhouse light


This is when it was growing in the terrarium in very bright very close full spectrum light. Much different coloration...like a lot of plants, light stress will bring out the Anthocyanins

Wow Gina ... those colors in the bottom pic .... gorgeous!

I think this is a highly underrated Alocasia. Aussie Gold. It has a very unusual variegation pattern. My specimen is only 2 seasons old. But it's a firecracker to be certain

And this is one of my absolute faves. I planted one of these out like 10 years ago and it did not survive the winter here. So I keep it containerized now and just run it in and out of the greenhouse. Alocasia plumbea nigra "Metallica''.

Ohooooo, I like that one.

It really does shine like metal...especially after a rain

I enjoyed this thread on alocasias, I've grown them for decades. Here is an old pic of A. plumbea, a lighter form than Nigra which Gina posted. I call it 'Light Form', a collector says also called 'White Form', maybe Gina or someone else can help with the name. For me they both get about the same size, 4 to 5 feet tall. This has petioles with light brown flecks and spots on light green background, Nigra has a reddish or dark purple petiole. Very prolific with offsets.
Russ
Sanford/Lake Mary area, Fla

Another very old photo of A. Borneo Giant, this is a baby as they get gigantic. That's my comb on it for some reference as to size. I still have it but haven't grown it as large in recent years, mostly because they're very rootbound and are needing repotting. Attention has been more on my aglaonema collection and other aroids, too many plants to take care of these recent years.
Russ
Sanford/Lake Mary area, Fla

I forget the name of this Caladium species, a favorite. Sorry for elbowing it in on this Alocasia thread.

What's Lime Zinger called these days, I have it as Alocasia but have seen it as Xanthosoma.

I'm not sure this is very common, I have it as A. triangularis.

Anyone know the name of this one? Leaves always uplooking.

Hope I haven't violated any rules by posting so many all at once.

Russ
Sanford/Lake Mary area, Fla

I will have to get a picture or two of mine tomorrow morning. I don't have anything unique, but they are sure looking great!

You have a great collection Russ and they all look very healthy and well cared for. Far as I know, Caladiums are in the same Araceae family.

I bought one of those yellow/green Alocasias last year from a now out of business nursery in Hawaii and they told me although it is known by different names stateside it is called Golden Alocasia over there.

OMG Russ Hammer I am so happy to see you back here! Lime Zinger is a Xanthosoma but its one of my absolute favorites. I had wanted to ask you a question, but lost touch with you privately. May I send you a tree mail?

@Bluesea heck who cares its off topic but I'll ask you here. I know you were the person who 'discovered' Philodendron King of Spades in the 1970's. You never really registered that name did you? I think now that the same plant is being sold as Philodendron Dark Lord. Is this correct?

Boy, getting all caught up.
Russ great collection. You live pretty close to me, so helps to know what I can grow here.

Gina, so many Alocasia plants, and great tidbits on growing them. Maybe you can help me ID this one, it is a no tag plant I bought from a local nursery, the stems are a pretty pink color, the leaves and veins are green on the underside.





My Philodendron squamiferum was tagged incorrectly and went on clearance at one of the box stores, I knew what it was, so grabbed it. I have quite a few mom and pop nurseries that never have tags on the plants, if it strikes my fancy and price is good, I grab it, Walmart is famous for this.

This was a no ID at a mom and pop nursery, I bought it a couple years ago because I liked it. I believe it is Tiny Dancer, it did not go dormant this past winter, so it will be going into the ground soon.

I just have the plain old Alo plants. These beasts are in pots. When I take them in for the winter I cut them down. No leaves.

These are planted in the ground. I don't have a name for the dark one. I think the tag got lost. It's like digging Graves to plant in the spring and exhume in the fall.

sunkissed said: Boy, getting all caught up.
Russ great collection. You live pretty close to me, so helps to know what I can grow here.

Gina, so many Alocasia plants, and great tidbits on growing them. Maybe you can help me ID this one, it is a no tag plant I bought from a local nursery, the stems are a pretty pink color, the leaves and veins are green on the underside.





My Philodendron squamiferum was tagged incorrectly and went on clearance at one of the box stores, I knew what it was, so grabbed it. I have quite a few mom and pop nurseries that never have tags on the plants, if it strikes my fancy and price is good, I grab it, Walmart is famous for this.

This was a no ID at a mom and pop nursery, I bought it a couple years ago because I liked it. I believe it is Tiny Dancer, it did not go dormant this past winter, so it will be going into the ground soon.

The pink stemmed one is Ivory Coast

Bluesea said:
Anyone know the name of this one? Leaves always uplooking.

Hope I haven't violated any rules by posting so many all at once.

Russ
Sanford/Lake Mary area, Fla

This looks like Calidora

Bluesea said:
I forget the name of this Caladium species, a favorite. Sorry for elbowing it in on this Alocasia thread.

What's Lime Zinger called these days, I have it as Alocasia but have seen it as Xanthosoma.

I'm not sure this is very common, I have it as A. triangularis.

I have Triangularis but it never seems to put on a whole lot of size and it goes dormant EVERY winter