alocasia

hi. can anyone tell me the difference between an alocasia and a colcasia? i thought the alocasia was a form of elephants ear? can anyone give me any instructions on how to care for an alocasia polly? i bought one several months ago. its in a pot in my front room. should it be outside?
thanks to any advice given

 

have a look here - think it answers your questions! There was a thread on this, re the difference between this plant and Bergenia, as both plants are called Elephant's ears!! http://mgonline.com/alocasia.html

 

I've not grown either myself but I dont think there is much between them.
Dont think it should be outside yet.
Pretty sure someone on here grows Alocasia outside, but not in north Yorkshire.

 

hi. thanks for your help. i have narrowed it down to 2. aither alocasia amazonica or superbis. either way it needs to be in the garden. thanks again

 

sorry not superbis, veitchi. should try looking harder lol

 

I personally have never heard of anyone trying A Amazonica outside. They require high humidity and dappled shade. Colocasias and xanthasoma yes but any Alocasia, Veitchii/Polly/Green Velvet/Chantrei/Watsoniana etc would be risky.

 

hi strongy. as far as i can tell from the link above from dendi it think it should be in a shaded part of the garden but i could be wrong. i cant seem to find any details on polly so if you can give me any advice it would be appreciated as im sure that this is the version i bought.

 

I have only grown Alocasias under glass so I have no expreience of growing them outside and personally I wouldn't try to. I had never heard of Poly untill your post but looking at pics of it it appears to a hybrid of Amazonica/Sanderiana or similar.I have not grown them for many years so I am not familiar with modern cultivars, I don't know if Alocasia Cuprea has reached the retail market yet, I grew some when they were a rarety and is still a spectacular plant