Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’

Parentage and origin of Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’

Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’ is a hybrid of Alocasia cuprea and Alocasia sanderiana. A. cuprea grows on rocky Bornean rainforest slopes, and A. sanderiana comes from damp ravines on Mindanao. Both habitats are humid and shaded, with regular rain and quick drainage around rocks or sloping ground.

Care for Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’

Light: Give plenty of filtered light and introduce gentle direct sun gradually. Prolonged intense exposure can mark the leaves.

Temperature: Use 18–29 °C as the routine range and treat 15 °C as the lower limit for prolonged exposure.

Humidity: Aim for relative humidity around 60–80% through active growth. Keep ‘Chantrierii’ away from very dry air while new leaves are opening.

Watering: During active growth, let the upper mix begin to dry, then rewater while the deeper mix still holds some moisture. Water thoroughly and leave the pot to drain before returning it to its usual position.

Potting mix: A nutrient-rich potting mix should stay loose after watering; avoid anything that remains dense and wet.

Feeding: ‘Chantrierii’ grows quickly, so feed while it is actively growing new leaves and roots and ease off when growth slows.

Repotting: Use a slightly wider container for Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’ when roots or new shoots become crowded.

Propagation: Use a rooted offset, lifting it from the parent with its roots intact. Pot the separated offset individually and maintain warmth while it settles into the new mix.

Yellowing lower leaves, pale sun patches and marked new growth

• Lower leaves turn yellow and sag while the pot still feels heavy: Before watering again, slide the plant out and check both the roots and the pot size. If the roots form a small core inside a much larger volume of wet potting mix, choose a smaller container that fits them more closely. Preserve every firm, healthy root. If any sections are clearly rotten, trim them back to sound tissue with disinfected scissors and discard the decayed pieces.
• Flat pale or tan patches appear on the side receiving the strongest light: Move the plant away from direct sun and hot window glass. Existing scorch will remain, but the patches should stop getting larger once the light is corrected.
• Brown edges keep returning even though the root ball is not drying out: Check how much and how often you are feeding. Also look for mineral build-up in the potting mix. Flush the pot thoroughly and cut back on heavy feeding, then watch the next leaves.
• Narrow pale marks and small black dots appear on a new leaf before it fully opens: Check inside the folded leaf for thrips. Separate the plant from nearby 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 ‘Chantrierii’: 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.

Who chantrierii honours

Chantrierii commemorates Adolphe and Ernest Chantrier, who raised the hybrid at their nursery in Mortefontaine, France.