Alocasia balgooyi A.Hay

• Genus: Alocasia
• Botanical Background: Described by botanist Alistair Hay in 1998, A. balgooyi was named to honor Dr. Rudi Balgooy for his contributions to Southeast Asian botany.

• Geographical Range: Restricted to lowland limestone karst forests near the Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Borneo.
• Environment: Grows in shaded crevices with high humidity, well‑drained calcareous soil, and stable tropical temperatures.

Leaves

• Ovate to sagittate with pronounced bullate (puckered) texture
• Up to 40 cm long by 30 cm wide
• Dark green blades with lighter green to whitish areoles

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

• Pale green to ivory, tubular at base
• Creamy white, bearing unisexual flowers
• Specific pollinators not documented but likely small flies

Growth Habit

• Terrestrial, forming an underground rhizome with short stolons; no climbing habit

Light Requirements

• Bright, indirect light
• Avoid direct sun to prevent scorching

Watering & Humidity

• Keep substrate evenly moist but not waterlogged
• Maintain humidity above 60 %

Soil & Potting Mix

• Use a mix rich in leaf mold or peat, with added perlite and crushed limestone chips for drainage and pH buffering

Temperature & Fertilizer

• Ideal range: 20–30 °C
• Feed lightly with balanced liquid fertilizer every 4–6 weeks during active growth

Division and Cuttings

• Dividing the rhizome into sections, each bearing at least one growing point

Seeds

• Production in cultivation is rare; germination protocols not well established

Typical Issues

• Spider mites and mealybugs
• Root rot can occur in poorly drained media

Treatment Recommendations

• Neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays for pests
• Repot in fresh, well‑draining mix to combat rot

• Leaf bullation may help channel water and deter herbivores
• Named after a renowned Indonesian botanist

• Valued by collectors for its textured leaves and rarity in trade

Wild Population Status

• Habitat specialist on limestone; potential risk from quarrying and deforestation

Market Availability

• Occasionally offered by specialist nurseries in Asia and Europe; plants often command high prices