Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 7-19-16, #274-3.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’
Alocasia gageana x Alocasia odora
a-loh-KAY-see-uh gay-jee-AH-nuh x oh-DOR-uh
Alocasia gageana Engl. & K.Krause was first documented by Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler and Kurt Krause in Das Plfanzenreich in 1920. It is known as the Dwarf Upright Elephant Ear. The other parent, Alocasia odora (Lindl.) K.Koch was documented by Karl Heinrich Emil Koch in Index Seminum in 1854. Alocasia odora is known as the Giant Upright Elephant Ear and has been used in the creation of many hybrids.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ was hybridized by LariAnn Gardner of Aroid Research. The progeny of this cross is highly variable and many look nothing like their parents.
The genus, Alocasia (Schott) G.Don, was named and described by George Don in Sweet’s Hortus Britannicus in 1839. They were first listed as Colocasia sect. Alocasia by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott in Meletemata Botanica in 1832.
As of 11-18-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 88 species in the Alocasia genus. It is a member of the plant family Araceae with 142 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.
In the following photographs, you will see that Alocasia ‘Calidora’ is one of the hardiest and easiest to grow. I think that is attributed to its parents and their hardiness also. Alocasia ‘Calidora’ can grow to 8′ tall. Some information on the internet says they will grow in sun to part shade, but I have never had them in full sun until 2020 when I kept them on the back porch. They are supposedly hardy in USDA Zones 8-11, depending on what website you look at. I normally moved mine inside if the temps drop close to 45 degrees F because some Alocasia can go dormant if the temps get around 45. However… In 2020, I left them on the back porch until an “F” was in the forecast and they did awesomely well. SO, remember, these are NOT Colocasia. I do remember in Mississippi the gardens at an event center (down there somewhere) had HUGE AMAZING gardens. They had Alocasia growing that they said they overwintered in the ground. They didn’t know what species they were, but they looked a lot like A. ‘Calidora’…
THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ from Wellspring Gardens on 4-15-12, #86-6. (Already in a different pot in this photo)
I bought this awesome Alocasia hybrid from Wellspring Gardens in the spring of 2012. It wasted no time growing and soon became one of the largest of my Alocasia. As it grows, it produces a tuberous trunk that resembles a palm tree, which is why one of its common names is Persian Palm. Information states that Alocasia ‘Odora’ can grow 6-8 feet tall and have leaves up to 3-4 feet long and 3 feet wide…
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 7-3-12, #107-6.
According to the internet, this hybrid is hardy in USDA Zones 9b-11 (25 to 40 degrees F. It could be hardier though as one of its parents, Alocasia odora, is hardy down to zone 7b.
<<<<2013>>>>
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 5-13-13, #148-4.
When I moved back to the farm in February 2013, I took most of my Alocasia with me, including the Alocasia ‘Calidora’. It made the 8-9 hour ride in a trailer in 30-degree temps just fine. I put the Alocasia and the other plants I brought in the basement where most of them did just fine.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ with her first flower on 6-29-13, #159-1.
When warmer weather finally came, I moved three of the Alocasia outside on the north side of the house then later out by the shed where grandpa’s old garage had been. I was pretty excited when ‘Calidora’ started growing its first flower in June 2013.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ with her second flower on 7-14-13, #162-7.
Alocasia ‘Calidora continued to do very well…
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 9-10-13, #186-2.
The above photo shows the seeds from the flower of Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 9-2-13.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 9-17-13, #188-5.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ did great all summer in 2013. When cooler temps came in October I had to move my plants back to the basement. The temperature in the basement usually stays around 65 degrees F.
<<<<2014>>>>
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 6-1-14, #228-8.
Well,, we made it through the second winter in the basement. I waited a while before I took her first photo in 2014 because the Alocasia needed an adjustment period before they looked their best. I was surprised, though, at how well they went through the winter in a cool basement with not much light.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 6-29-14, #230-11.
By June 29, 2014, when the above photo was taken, Alocasia ‘Calidora’ was looking really good.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 7-12-14, #231-7.
Toward the middle of October when temps started falling again the Alocasia had to return to the basement once again for another winter.
<<<<2015>>>>
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 5-16-15, #255-2.
I am not 100% sure, but I think the above photo shows Alocasia ‘Calidora’ with her first baby. The Alocasia made it through the winter very well again and were very happy to get back outside in the fresh air.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 6-5-15, #265-4.
Even though the Alocasia do very well in the basement over the winter, they always lose a lot of leaves.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 6-14-15, #268-3.
The above photo shows Alocasia ‘Calidora’ with her first bud of 2015.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 6-27-15, #270-2.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ wastes no time growing!
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 7-12-15, #271-1.
By July 12, 2015, Alocasia ‘Calidora’ was looking AWESOME!
<<<<2016>>>>
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 7-19-16, #274-3.
MY, how she has grown!
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 7-19-16, #274-4.
The above photo is her kid…
As the cooler weather started approaching, the Alocasia and other potted plants once again had to be moved to the house…
<<<<2017>>>>
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 6-18-17, #345-4.
Well, Alocasia ‘Calidora made it through another winter. Her babies are growing and soon I will need to remove them and put them in pots of their own. One thing good about A. ‘Calidora’ is that she doesn’t seem to produce as many offspring.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 6-24-17, #349-5.
Still growing!
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 7-11-17, #356-2.
Look at all those orbs!!!
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 7-11-17, #356-3.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ with her first flower of 2017.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 8-11-17, #365-1.
OK, it is high time I remove those babies!
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 8-23-17, #368-1.
On August 23 I decided to remove the two babies in the big Alocasia ‘Calidora’ pot. I need to remove them before they get this big…
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 8-23-17, #368-24.
Here are the two babies in their own pots. If you want to read the post I made when I did this, click on the link below:
Removing/Repotting Alocasia Round 1…
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 8-29-17, #369-4.
I put the brick in the pot after I removed the babies because she was leaning a little.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ leaf on 8-20-17, #369-5.
A good look at the underside of an Alocasia ‘Calidora’ leaf.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ leaf on 8-29-17, #369-6.
The photo above is a closer look at the petiole where it attaches to the leaf. Much different than those on the Colocasia, which is why Alocasia leaves stand upright.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 8-29-17, #369-8.
The above photo shows how the trunk forms. As petioles grow and die, the trunks gets bigger and higher. Now you can clearly see why the common name of Alocasia ‘Calidora’ is Persian Palm because it kind of looks like the base of a palm.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 10-11-17, #382-6.
Temperatures were beginning to cool off when the above photo was taken on October 10. Soon I would be moving the plants inside for the winter.
The Alocasia inside for the winter on 10-16-17, #384-1.
I moved the plants inside for the winter on October 16 where the Alocasia would remain in the basement over the winter. It always amazed me how well they do there.
<<<<2018>>>>
Group of Alocasia in the basement on 1-12-18, #397-2.
Still waiting patiently for warm weather, the Alocasia are doing well. The tallest in the back is the Alocasia ‘Calidora’.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ flower on 7-29-18, #487-6.
I didn’t take many photos of the Alocasia in 2018.
<<<<2019>>>>
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 6-14-19, #589-3.
The above photo shows the biggest and oldest Alocasia ‘Calidora’. At 7 years old, it is much taller than me and I don’t think it has ever gone dormant. It has produced MANY offspring.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 6-14-19, #589-4.
The above photo shows two of the offsets I removed in 2017. I gave the rest to Wagler’s Greenhouse.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on 6-26-19, #596-2.
We had some strong wind a few evenings before the above photo was taken on June 26. I normally walk by the shade bed every day to check on Hosta, Heuchera, and Alocasia. I must have missed a day and when I checked on the 26th I saw the larger Alocasia ‘Calidora’ on its side. Even being on their side for a short period can cause their petioles to become disfigured. This also happened last year so I put a concrete block next to the pot to keep it from turning over. The concrete block was in place, but it didn’t keep the wind from blowing it over in a different direction.
Alocasia ‘Calidora’ bud on 7-10-19, #599-1.
I am always glad to see the Alocasia flowering. The above photo is Alocasia ‘Calidora’ with her first flower of 2019.
<<<<2020>>>>
I didn’t take any photos of the Alocasia in 2020. When I took them out of the basement in the spring, I put them on the back porch so I could re-pot them. Some needed fresh potting soil and many needed to be divided and put in their own pots and others needed larger pots. I wanted to do this before I moved them to the area by the old fish pool where I always keep them. BUT, became very busy in the garden so I was only able to re-pot a few. SO, they were on the back deck all summer in full sun… Surprisingly, they did very well. I was surprised because they had never been in full sun before. Then, I left them on the back porch until October 15 until an “F” was in the forecast instead of taking them to the basement when temps got down to about 45° F. The cooler temps didn’t bother them a bit! Instead of taking them to the basement, I put them in the dining room and back bedroom. It is December 28 when I am updating this page, so I may still go ahead and take them to the basement.
The Alocasia parent page has more information and links about Alocasia and photos of the plants I have grown. I also have a separate page for each one.
I haven’t taken photos for a couple of years, but the Alocasia ‘Calidora’ are still alive and well. I don’t even know how many pots of them I have. I have given several away…
I have enjoyed growing this hybrid and I highly recommend it. The page will continue growing and I will be adding more photos as time goes by.
I hope you enjoyed this page and maybe found it useful. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, I would like to hear from you. Please click on “like” if you visited this page. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. 🙂 You can check out the links below for further reading. The links take you directly to the genus and species of this plant.
The Belmont Rooster 