Alocasia zebrina reticulata

From: "john s. smolowe" johnsmolowe at pacbell.net> on 2002.04.28 at 03:37:02(8660) I just bought a nice Alocasia zebrina reticulata and have some cultural questions. I have killed this species twice in the past and would like to do better this time. Same with Xanthosoma atrovirens albomarginata. I successfully grow many species of Anthurium and Philodendron in a heated greenhouse in an epiphytic mix of medium firbark, medium tree fern, medium charcoal, pumice, and long-fibered New Zealand sphagnum moss - watered 2-3 x per week. I successfully grow Colocasia esculenta outdoors (zone 8) in the ground. I successfully grow Alocasia amazonica in my dry office in the same garden-center pot and potting soil in which it came, watered only once a week. But when I try to grow Alocasia zebrina reticulata in my greenhouse - either in an epiphytic mix or in a standard garden-center potting mix, watered 2-3 x per week - it dies. Same story with Xanthosoma atrovirens albomarginata. Do these species want a well-draining mix or a moisture-retaining mix? Do they perhaps need a dry winter rest? Do they need to sit in water? Has anyone had luck with them? John Smolowe +More Menlo Park, CA

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