Subject: African Mask Help!!.

From: [email-masked](Todd Mc Intyre )
Date: 31 Mar 1996 19:22:19 GMT

Hello all,

	I just bought an African Mask plant (Alocasia Micholitziana
Maxkowskii), the name was on the pot, I paid eight dollars and away I
went. The only problem is that the lady at the nursery didn't know
anything about it and I don't know anything about it, could anyone
please help me?.

I need to know what type of light, fertilizer, temp and humidity this
plant needs?. And any other tips you may have. 

It's a very beautiful plant and I don't want it to die.

				Please Help!!!.
					[email-masked]

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From: [email-masked] (Rastapoodle)
Date: Wed, 03 Apr 1996 17:04:41 GMT

>plant needs?. And any other tips you may have. 

I'm not familiar with this particular Alocasia, but I am very familiar with the
Alocasia family, so here goes some general comments:

Most Alocasias like low to medium light, are very tolerant of soil types, like
'medium' fertilizing, and high humidity.  They tend to have very little
'environmental' problems, i.e. insects, diseases, etc. If you are lucky, you
have one of the varieties with fragrant flowers -- all the varieties have
insignificant flowers, but some smell heavenly.

Here in Miami, Alocasias are outdoor plants!

Good Luck, 
Anya

[email-masked] {{{~.~}}} RAW member #629
[email-masked]
Garden designer, herbalist, aromatherapist, reggae lover             
Living and laughing in Miami, America's new frontier                                                                     
                     *Words to live by*                                         
*****"you gotta lively up yourself" -- Bob Marley*****  
***********************************************************

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From: [email-masked] (Monique Reed)
Date: Wed, 3 Apr 1996 15:48:04 UNDEFINED

>>anything about it and I don't know anything about it, could anyone

Something else to know:

Members of the genus Alocasia contain irritant crystals of calcium oxalate in 
the foliage.  Chewing the leaves produces pain, swelling, numbness, and/or 
blistering in the lips, tongue, throat, etc.  (Fortunately, the reaction is 
nearly immediate, so not much is usually swallowed.)  Therefore, please be 
sure your wonderful plant is out of reach of little ones (be they human or 
other) who might be tempted to taste.

Should you have an "incident", know that cool liquids or ice held in the 
mouth may help.  Analgesics may help the pain.   Though you may want to take 
your darling to the E.R. for a check (especially if symptoms of an allergic 
reaction occur, such as difficulty breathing), run-ins with the plant are not 
too terribly dangerous as the plant is not a systemic poison.

This advice goes for most members of the family (Araceae)--Philodendrons, 
Pothos Ivy, Caladiums, Elephant Ears, etc.  DO keep out of reach of toddlers!

Monique Reed
Herbarium Botanist
Biology Department
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX  77843