Alocasia ‘Bambino Arrow’ Albo-Variegata

The cultivated background of ‘Bambino Arrow’ Albo-Variegata

This albo-variegated selection comes from the cultivated Alocasia ‘Bambino Arrow’ line. This line has Alocasia longiloba in its ancestry, and its other parent is unknown. A. longiloba grows on humid Southeast Asian forest floors, in damp ravines and around rocky ground.

Care for Alocasia ‘Bambino Arrow’ Albo-Variegata

• Light: Place it in bright, filtered light and protect it from sudden intense sun.
• Watering: Check the mix regularly and water again when the upper part begins to dry, before the potting mix dries 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: Use a loose mix that holds some moisture without staying soggy.
• Temperature: Keep ‘Bambino Arrow’ Albo-Variegata above 15 °C and away from cold draughts.
• Humidity: Alocasia does best with medium to high humidity. Keep it in a bright spot away from heaters and air-conditioning. If the air is dry, place it near other houseplants that like similar conditions, leaving space between the leaves, or use a clean humidifier.

Alocasia ‘Bambino Arrow’ Albo-Variegata: what to check

• White or cream sections turn beige and papery before the greener parts of the leaf: Check for direct sun, heat from the window and the root ball drying too far between waterings. Keep the plant in bright, filtered light and avoid large swings between wet and dry. The damaged areas will stay brown, so judge the improvement from new growth.
• Growth becomes weaker after the plant produces leaves with very little green tissue: Keep every healthy green part already on the plant and give it strong filtered light. Do not remove healthy green leaves to encourage more variegation. The plant needs that green tissue to keep growing.
• The plant hangs limp even though the pot is still wet: Do not water again. Check the roots and remove only those that are clearly soft or rotten. Repot in fresh, airy mix. If very few healthy roots remain, use a smaller pot that fits them.
• Rough, irregular scars appear on new leaves: Look inside the folded growth for thrips and tiny black specks. Move the plant away from your other plants if you find them. Use a treatment labelled for thrips on indoor ornamental plants, and repeat it only as directed on the label.

Alocasia ‘Bambino Arrow’ Albo-Variegata: 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.

How ‘Bambino’ carries into Albo-Variegata

In ‘Bambino Arrow’ Albo-Variegata, bambino is the Italian word for “child” or “baby”; the added label identifies this variegated form.