Alocasia ‘Antoro Velvet’

Where Alocasia ‘Antoro Velvet’ comes from

Alocasia ‘Antoro Velvet’ comes from Borneo. The exact natural habitat is unknown.

Care for Alocasia ‘Antoro Velvet’

• Humidity: Moderately humid air suits ‘Antoro Velvet’, especially while new leaves are unfurling; avoid very dry heated air.
• Light: Give it bright, softened daylight and keep the foliage away from prolonged harsh sun.
• Watering: Let the pot dry a little between waterings, but water again before the mix is dry all the way through. Water until excess runs from the drainage holes. Let the pot drain, then empty any water left in the saucer or cover pot.
• Potting mix: Choose a nutrient-rich mix that stays loose and drains easily.
• Temperature: Keep it around 20–28 °C and away from cold windows or draughts. Move it away from cooler spots before temperatures fall below 16 °C.

Alocasia ‘Antoro Velvet’: common problems

• Several leaves turn yellow and lose firmness while the pot still feels heavy: Stop watering and check the roots and base. Soft, brown or bad-smelling tissue is a sign of rot. Remove only the clearly rotten parts, then repot in fresh, airy potting mix using a pot that fits the remaining roots. If you are unsure whether tissue is rotten, leave anything firm in place rather than cutting it.
• Fine pale pinpricks spread across the leaves: Check the undersides and along the veins for spider mites. Moving specks or fine webbing are clear signs. Keep the plant away from your other plants. If mites are present, use a treatment labelled for spider mites on indoor ornamental plants, and repeat it only as directed on the label.
• A new leaf opens scratched, pale or twisted: Check the new growth before it opens fully, then look where the leaf stalks meet the plant for thrips and tiny black specks. Isolate the plant if you find them. Use a treatment labelled for thrips on indoor ornamental plants, and repeat it only as directed on the label.
• A dry tan patch appears on the side facing the window: Check for direct sun or heat from the glass. Move the plant back into bright, filtered light. The damaged patch will remain, but new damage should stop once the light is corrected.

Alocasia ‘Antoro Velvet’: toxic if chewed

• Pets: This Alocasia is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep the plant and any cut pieces where pets cannot chew them.
• Children and handling: Keep it out of reach of children. Sap from damaged tissue can irritate skin and eyes, so wash your hands after pruning and avoid touching your face.
• Why it irritates: Alocasia tissue contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing or contact with sensitive tissue can cause immediate local irritation.
• Possible symptoms: Mouth exposure can cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, nausea or vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
• After exposure: For a pet, contact a veterinarian. For a person, remove any plant material from the mouth and rinse with water; seek medical or poison-control advice if symptoms are significant. Breathing difficulty or rapidly increasing swelling needs urgent medical attention.

The meaning of Antoro Velvet

Antoro honours Sahmantoro of Antoro Flora, the Indonesian grower who found the plant in rainforest. Velvet describes the soft-looking surface of its leaves.