Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’

Where the hybrid comes from

Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’ was bred by LariAnn Garner from Alocasia odora and a pink-petioled form of Alocasia macrorrhizos. The result is a distinct cultivated hybrid.

This nursery hybrid combines Alocasia odora, spread across humid tropical and subtropical parts of eastern and Southeast Asia, with Alocasia macrorrhizos, a plant of the tropical islands from Borneo and the Philippines to New Guinea, Queensland and the Solomons. Its background spans warm, rain-rich regions, and the hybrid has no wild range of its own.

Growing corm-forming aroids indoors

• Light: Give Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’ bright indirect light, with gentle morning or evening sun after acclimation. Avoid hot midday sun.
• Watering: Water when the upper layer begins to dry, checking deeper in a large pot than a small one. Large leaves use water quickly, but corms need full drainage.
• Humidity and airflow: Moderate to high humidity is usually enough. Keep air moving around the crown, especially where large leaves overlap, and avoid cold draughts.
• Temperature: Keep in steady indoor warmth, with roots kept away from chilling temperatures. Avoid sudden chills and cold, wet substrate. Keep the corm and roots steadily warm; cold, wet substrate is especially risky.
• Feeding: Use a complete fertiliser at a low dose sparingly while growth is strong. Feed less often when growth or available light decreases.
• Leaf care: Clean one leaf at a time with a soft damp cloth, supporting it from below. Check undersides and petiole joints for pests.

Troubleshooting Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’: large leaves, firm petioles and a substantial root ball

Several leaves yellow or the crown droops

One older leaf can yellow normally. Compare pot weight with root firmness when several leaves change. Water a dry firm root ball, but inspect soft roots in damp mix before adding water. The drooping guide adds the pot-weight, root-firmness and moisture checks that distinguish thirst from root damage. The root-rot guide

A fixed patch appears on the exposed side

Use the mark's position, boundary and texture to separate exposure damage from progressive tissue failure. Use position and texture to separate exposure damage: dry tan tissue on the lit face supports scorch, while dark translucence at cold glass supports chilling. Remove the relevant light or cold exposure, mark the damaged edge and monitor it; established firm tissue will not regain its colour.

Fine pale speckling or webbing

Spider mites gather beneath the leaves and along the main veins. Isolate, inspect every underside, rinse with lukewarm water and dry away from sun. Reach the lower blade, petiole junction and emerging fold with the labelled mite treatment, following its stated interval.

Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’ is toxic to pets

• Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’ is toxic to cats and dogs.
• Chewing releases insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause immediate mouth pain, drooling and difficulty swallowing.
• Contact a veterinarian promptly after suspected chewing, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Alocasia: a name altered from Colocasia

Alocasia was coined by altering Colocasia, the name of a related aroid genus.