Alocasia sanderiana is a relatively small Alocasia with uniquely lobed leaves

This very attractive variety has strikingly lobed, feather-shaped leaves with a dark green, almost bluish color and striking, very light green, prominent veins.

The form offered here is also known as 'Nobilis', which may sound scientific or Latin, but is only a trade name and not a subspecies. This form typically has only 4 pairs of main veins, which is typical of A. sanderiana. What is unusual about this species is that it bears up to 4-5 leaves at a time, while most forms in nature only have 1-2 leaves at a time.

It is a rather small Alocasia, growing up to 60-80 centimeters tall. Like other Philippine species, it undergoes a dormant period after flowering, which in our climate is usually in winter and requires a dry rest.

Botanical description

Alocasia sanderiana comes from the Philippine island of Mindanao where it grows in the undergrowth of rainforests at low altitudes in moist ravines. In nature it is very variable in leaf shape and pattern.

The species was named in honor of the orchidologist Henry Frederick Conrad Sander, a native of Bremen and founder of Messrs. Sanders of St. Albans, a large nursery that was the center of the orchid trade in Europe during the late 19th century. The original selling price in 1884 was 2 guineas, equivalent to about 2000 SEK in today's currency.

Care

Place in partial shade. A spot by a west or east window or slightly away from a south window is good. Avoid direct sunlight for long periods, especially in summer. In winter, it can be placed directly by a south or west-facing window.

Plant lighting helps the plant survive the dark winter months. Otherwise, it usually loses many or all of its leaves in the winter and enters a dormant phase.

The temperature should not be below 20°C at night and at least 22°C during the day. Avoid temperatures above 28°C for extended periods. Relative humidity should be 60% or higher.

The plant likes it less wet than you would expect for a rainforest species. The substrate should never dry out completely, but it should definitely not be really wet for a long time. It is better to water a little less and at least let the surface dry between waterings.

Use a loose, acidic and very air-permeable soil mixture. A well-drained aroid substrate or bark, perlite and sphagnum moss works well. The pot does not need to be very large. Fertilize during the growing season from May to September at half the dose.