Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek'
Propagation
Rhizome Division – Only propagate from robust, mature plants. Frydek grows from rhizomes, which can be divided to create individual plants. Rhizomes grow slowly, though, so a new Frydek won't be available to propagate for several years.
In the spring, take the Alocasia out of the pot and inspect the roots to ensure they're healthy. Brush off the soil and look at the rhizomes. Use a pair of sterilized shears to cut off a portion of the rhizome.
Plant the rhizome in lightly moistened soil and place it in a warm location with lots of indirect light. Water as needed to keep the soil slightly moist. In 30-50 days, small shoots will appear. It takes approximately three months for the plant to establish fully.
Light
Bright, indirect
Water
When the top inch of soil is dry
Growth
Slow
Temperature
Between 65-85F
Humidity
60% and above
About
The foliage of Alocasia micholitziana "Frydek" is impressive, to put it mildly. The leaves of this houseplant are velvety dark matte green with thick white veins. Like many other Alocasia, the leaves are arrow-shaped, massive, and eye-catching. The common name for this special Alocasia is Green Velvet due to its soft and fuzzy leaves.
Green velvet Alocasia plants grow up to 1.6 feet tall. This plant produces 4-7 tall stems with a single leaf hanging at the end of each stem. The stems are over a foot tall and mottled purple, burgundy, and brown. The contrast between the stem coloring and textured deep green leaves is glamorous, like a svelte movie star about to go to an awards show.
Alocasia plants are commonly called Elephant Ears because the leaves are so large and droop downwards. Green velvet ears are the same, averaging 1.3 feet long and 5 inches wide. They nod downwards, giving their entire face to the onlooker. Beneath the velvety green leaves, the underside is a lighter green. Leaf edges are slightly wavy to strongly wavy.
This plant goes by Alocasia micholitziana "Frydek" and just Alocasia Frydek. There is no information readily available in the houseplant world for just A.micholitziana, so how it is different, if it is at all, is unknown.
Alocasia Micholitziana Frydek Maintenance
The leaves will grow towards light and create a lopsided plant if not rotated regularly. Rotating it every time you water is good practice. These plants do not tolerate drought but don't like being overwatered either. Always check that the top inch of the soil is dry before watering. Alocasia plants are known to be finicky.
An Alocasia can only support a certain number of leaves at a time – how many for your plant depends on its size and maturity. It is entirely normal for older leaves to drop off before new ones form – this is the plant's way of channeling resources into new growth.
It is common for Frydek to go dormant during cool weather/winter. Sometimes, it drops all its leaves and dies back in the soil. Don't worry; let it rest and rejuvenate. It will rebound on its own in a warm location with bright, indirect light.
Alocasia Micholitziana Frydek History
Alocasia micholitzianais is endemic to the Philippines, where it grows in shady lowland forests. It used to be common in its natural habitat, but now it is rare and considered a vulnerable species. This change is a direct result of overcollection – a side effect of the houseplant craze and folks' desire to have all the rare and special plants possible.
Before you acquire this plant, please do your due diligence and only buy it from a reputable seller. As members of the houseplant community, we must take personal responsibility for issues of overcollection and not support businesses that profit from it.
Currently, it is illegal to harvest A. Micholitziana in the Philippines. The punishment for doing so is 6-10 years in jail and a fine of up to 1,000,000 Philippine pesos ($17,539 US dollars).
Alocasia micholitziana was first described to science in 1912 by the German-English botanist Henry Frederick Conrad Sander. It was named after Wilhelm Micholitz, a German plant collector who worked for Henry Sander.
Other Notes
Alocasias struggle in low humidity and often develop brown leaf tips. This is especially common in winter. If it's just the tips, let the plant rest for the winter, and it should recover in spring. Otherwise, get a humidifier or make a pebble tray humidifier.