Alocasia

This genus of tropical foliage plants is mostly native to forest floor near the edges of rainforests of Southeast Asia. As a group they prefer bright shady conditions and warm weather, on a patio or near a bright window. Full sun is too bright and can burn the leaves. Avoid cold weather below 50 Degrees F. as they will have a tendency to drop their leaves and go dormant till warm weather resumes.

Do not overwater when conditions are cooler than 65 degrees F. as this will lead to root and rhizome rot. The only major pests under most conditions are mites which can attack upper and lower leaf surfaces. These can be eliminated with mitescides or on a more individual house plant basis with soapy water, a spritz of water to wash mites off or a soft colth to wipe dust and mites off the leaves.

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Anthurium

The genus Anturium is a large and diverse group of plants spreading accross the Americas from Mexico to South America and the Caribean Basin. Although most people associate Anthuriums with showy red and orange spathes (bracts) of Anthurium Andreanum. The majority of Anthurium species have plain green undistinctive bracts and if they known horticulturally they are grown for their unique growth habit, ie. Bird's nest type, or their distinctive foliage, ie. Anthurium Clarinervium, or both distinctive foliage and growth habit, ir. Anthurium Superbum.

At Silver Krome Gardens we grow the flowering varieties, standard cut flower Anthurium Andreanum types and new hybrid. Anthuriums as a general rule prefer medium to bright light, a humid environment and good nutrition to bloom and thrive. Lacking these and Anthurium can still survive and provide a beautiful plant for a long time, just don't expect it to grow and bloom a lot. Pests to look out for: low humidity leaf burn and root rot if overwatered.

As a collector of Anthurium species with particular interest in Bird's Nest types (Pachyneuiums) and velvet foliage types (Cardiolonchiums) I occassionally have propagations or seedlings of some uncommon and unusual species. This is a short list of what I have. Call for an Availability on these and other species.

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Calathea

This group of plants characterized by their colorful leaves and their tolerance for low light conditions is native to the forests floor of the Central and South American Tropics. They have proven to be susceptivle to Fluoride toxicity, and are sensitive to high soluble salts in the root zone.

Avoid usage as interiorscape plant in areas where irrigation water is high in salts. Mites can be a problem when plants are stressed out.