Common Name:
Yellow Stem Alocasia
Type of Plant:
Tropical
Description:
aroid
Country Of Origin:
Papua, New Guinea
Alocasia macrorrhizos (also ‘macrorrhiza’) ‘Lutea’ or ‘Solid Gold’ is a giant Alocasia, easily growing to 2 metres high in good tropical conditions. In cooler areas you should expect at least 1 to 1.5 metres. It has glossy emerald green leaves up to 1 metre long held stiffly upwards, with prominent veining on the underside of the leaves.
However, the striking and spectacular aspect of this plant is, of course, the buttercup yellow stems and veins on the undersides of the leaves. It is a bright and obvious yellow, not just a pale green or lemon colour, and these photos haven’t had the colour adjusted. The more light the plants receive, the brighter the stem and the darker the leaf will be. The stems of young plants are a lighter, greenish colour until they get a few leaves; as they get older, the yellow colour becomes more prominent.
This is a fast growing Alocasia and in good conditions, will grow from the size of the plant you receive (15-20cm high) to 1.5 to 2 metres in less than a year. It grows larger in the ground than in pots – Alocasias seem to need a lot of room for their roots to get the huge leaves.
Alocasias require continual warmth and humidity. The soil should be rich but well drained, and the plant appreciates frequent watering (daily in hot weather), especially as if grows larger. Note however, that when the plant is young and small, too much water (particularly if the weather is cold) will rot the tuber, so be careful not to overdo it.
Bright light is preferred, but it will do well in anything up to 80% shade. Leaves tend to grow larger in shadier positions. Full sun is usually not preferred and may discolour the leaves, although it will usually cope with a bit of full sun provided it can get enough water.
Once it gets big enough, it will start to produce offsets (baby plants) which can be easily transplanted.