Alocasia ‘Borneo King’

Description

Alocasia x ‘Borneo King’ is a relatively new introduction developed by grower Brian Williams in the USA wanting a huge leafed Alocasia capable of surviving in cooler climates. After crossing Alocasia odora with the massive ‘Borneo Giant’  he finally selected this form. It is remarkable for its cold tolerance, potentially hardy in milder parts of the UK and certainly tougher than the well known giant ‘Elephant Ear’ Alocasia macrorrhiza. So very exciting for us lovers of all things jungly and large leaves.

Can ultimately reach over 2 metres in height with a spread almost the same! The deep green slightly puckered leaves will once mature be over a metre long. We are finding it very fast growing as a container plant and look forward to seeing how big we can get it planted out in a sheltered bed.  We’d also suggest planting in really fertile soil, add well rotted manure if you can, Alocasia are hungry thirsty plants. Plant in full sun or partial shade, the latter producing marginally bigger leaves.  Do keep your Alocasia well watered and a liquid seaweed feed fortnightly will assist healthy growth. As Alocasia x ‘Borneo King’ is such a recent introduction we’d recommend treating as you would a Musa basjoo in winter, protecting the truck with fleece or similar during freezing periods. Alternatively grow in a container and bring into a frost free environment during the winter months, could be grown as a giant houseplant too.