Alocasia Micholitziana “Frydek”
Alocasia Micholitziana more commonly referred to as the Alocasia Frydek has awesome emerald green colour on the upper surface of the leaf blade (adaxial) and is somewhat paler of the reverse (abaxial) surface. Given the correct conditions grow to a substantial size, I have seen a specimen with leaves that are over 35-40cm in length and I am sure they will get bigger than that in nature. My particular plant is no ware near that size but I’m hoping!
Alocasia Frydek hails from the the tropical rainforests of Asia at an altitude of 1200 – 1500m although it is now said to be almost invasive in some areas and can be found simply growing at the road side. In its natural habitat you will find this plant growing on the forest floor under the Tree canopy which will give you the first indications on how best to keep this plant happy in your home.
Alocasia Micholitziana “Frydek”
Lighting,
IN my experience getting the lighting correct has been the most challenging part. Initially I assumed that as a forest floor dweller a lower light level would be best but I have not found that to be the case at all. Several months of little or no growth in a low light environment led me make a change. To be honest it was through frustration that I decided to bung it front and centre in my South East facing window. Almost immediately I was rewarded with a new leaf and since then I have three more leaves each bigger than the last. I wonder if this plant is found more often in forest clearings as my specimen is now very happy to receive lots of bright indirect light and even a little direct sunlight in the early morning.
Watering,
Watering has also been a bit of a learning curve for me. Unlike my Colocasia Mojito it doesn’t like being constantly wet but it also does not like to be as dry as most of the other Aroids in my collection like Philodendron and Anthurium, the fast draining mix I use for these plants simply dries out to quickly. Watering once or twice a week is enough when combined with a potting substrate that is a little heavier on Coir than my usual Aroid mix. The added Coir will hold onto moisture keeping the medium moist for longer. Don’t misunderstand me, you’re plant will not thank you for being sat in soggy soil but the added moisture retention has worked well for me. Growing new leaves take allot of water and unless you are up for watering almost daily during the growing season you may want to consider this kind of medium. I use rainwater for all of my plants as my tap water is quite hard. If your tap water is soft then I think tap is fine, just make sure its not freezing cold and if you can leave it to stand for a few hours before using to allow the chlorine to dissipate.
Fertilizing,
All the time my plants is putting out new leaves I will continue to fertilize it, I have found that Alocasia and Colocasia plants are all quite hungry feeders. I use a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks at about 75% strength. I also add worm castings to my soil when potting the plants and at the start of spring if I don’t repot I will add a layer of worm castings as a top dressing to the soil. As you water the plants from the top the lovely wormy goodness will seep into the soil.
Pests,
I do tend to put this along with all my other Alocasia and Colocasia outside during the summer (I live in the South East of the UK). This gives them all the opportunity to enjoy the sun and warm conditions but it also gives pest the opportunity to feed on them! Aphids seam to be the biggest offenders in my garden and within a few day of taking my plants out they will have arrived in droves. Fortunately we have a god population of Ladybirds which help to keep them under control and when I water I will use the hose and my hands to rub as many as I can find off the plant. What I have to be careful of is making sure they are free of Aphids when I bring them in at the end of the summer. This is accomplished with a combination my general pest spray with Neem oil, SB Plant invigorator and bug killer and washing them down in the shower for a few weeks.
Re-Potting,
I don’t tend to discuss this point that often but I think in the case of this plant its worth mentioning that they do like to be quite snug in there pots. I try to resist the temptation to repot the plants any more than once every couple of years and in comparison the the size of the foliage the pot tents to be quite small. Mine is currently in a 12cm wide pot and will likely stay there until spring 2021.
Dormancy,
Don’t panic! Alocasia all tend to have a dormancy period in the winter. The plants react to the cooler temperatures and shorter daylight ours by dropping leaves or stopping growing. The first time I experienced this with an Alocasia Polly I thought it was done for and just left the “dead plant” in the pot in my green house. Low and behold in the spring when it was watered by mistake with the other plants around it up it came again. So if you not using grow lights then its likely this plants will go into a dormant phase during the winter months or at least stop growing completely. If this happens reduce watering to the bare minimum and wait for the spring.
Toxicity,
This plants along with all Alocasia and Colocasia are poisonous if consumed. The leaves contain Oxalate crystals which are insoluble. When consumed they can cause some nasty effects especially in pets and children. So place this plant with care so that it wont be chewed on by your pooch or kids!