Alocasia ‘Prince of Curup’

Where Alocasia ‘Prince of Curup’ comes from

Alocasia ‘Prince of Curup’ is an undescribed Alocasia from a valley around Curup in Bengkulu Province, Sumatra. Its exact natural habitat in this valley is unknown.

How to grow Alocasia ‘Prince of Curup’

• Light: Bright, filtered light suits healthy foliage development. Increase exposure gradually if the plant has been growing under softer light.
• Humidity: Maintain at least 60%.
• Temperature: Aim for approximately 20–27°C.
• Watering: Keep the root ball consistently moist; water once the surface begins to lose dampness and allow surplus water to drain.
• Substrate: Use an organic mix of coir or potting soil, bark and perlite or pumice.
• Repotting: A close-fitting pot keeps root moisture manageable. Repot once roots fill most of the container.
• Feeding: Apply low-concentration fertiliser when new leaves are developing.
• Propagation: Separate small corms or rooted offsets from an established plant; an established rhizome can also be divided.
• Handling safety: Before repotting or unpotting, disturbing the root ball, cutting, pruning, division or propagation, wear gloves and keep Alocasia sap away from skin and eyes. After handling, wash hands and clean tools.

Problems and solutions for Alocasia ‘Prince of Curup’

• New translucent underside blisters later become corky: This development supports oedema. Empty standing water, confirm clear drainage, reduce prolonged saturation in cool or dim conditions and improve gentle airflow; keep useful foliage in place and assess the correction on later growth.
• Fine stippling or webbing, or silver scars with black dots appear: Stippling, bronzing and webbing support mites, while irregular silver scars, black droppings and distorted emerging growth support thrips. Isolate the plant, inspect undersides, junctions and folded leaves, and rinse or wipe accessible pests. If live pests or fresh damage continue, use one locally registered product whose label lists the confirmed pest and indoor ornamentals. Test a small inconspicuous area first, then follow the label's instructions for protective equipment, ventilation, dilution, coverage, repeat intervals and maximum applications. Recheck leaf undersides, sheltered junctions and each newly opening leaf.
• Yellowing appears with a wet root ball or a soft base: Stop watering, empty standing water and isolate the plant. Before unpotting, wear gloves and avoid sap contact with skin and eyes; retain firm roots and cut only directly confirmed dark, mushy or collapsing portions with disinfected tools, then use fresh airy medium in a clean draining pot. Wash hands and clean tools afterwards. If base tissue is soft, foul, rapidly changing or poorly defined, obtain professional diagnosis before cutting.
• Dry crisp edges keep returning: Move the plant out of direct sun into bright filtered light and acclimatise it gradually to any stronger light. Water thoroughly and drain only when genuinely dry and firm at the base. Pause feeding and flush salts only with firm roots and free drainage. Move the plant from cold draughts and stabilise humidity. If the root zone remains persistently damp, stop watering, empty standing water and restore free drainage. If browning continues or the plant also wilts, wear gloves and avoid sap contact with skin and eyes before unpotting. Retain every firm root and remove only directly confirmed dark, mushy, hollow, slimy or collapsing portions with disinfected tools. If roots are firm, do not cut them; correct drainage, aeration, pot fit, light or temperature. Repot surviving roots in fresh airy medium in a clean draining pot fitted to them, then wash hands and clean tools. Seek professional diagnosis before cutting a soft base, crown or unclear boundary. Existing damage remains, so judge clean new growth.

Alocasia ‘Prince of Curup’: 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.

What ‘Prince of Curup’ means

Curup is the Sumatran locality carried in the trade name ‘Prince of Curup’. The plant was introduced around 2021 from Bengkulu Province, Sumatra, and the name refers to Curup, the administrative capital associated with its place of origin.