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sandy0225 · 06-21-2011, 06:06 AM

I think that's the whole problem with aeae is that no one really knows what made them variegated to start with--and what keeps them variegated. It's got to be something inside the plant itself. Like in hostas, there are many mutations and varients even within the same cultivar of plant. But you can't take a green variety and make it variegated with fertilizer. (if I'm wrong, please tell me how, we have lots of green ones at our greenhouse...lol...)
Didn't the aeae originally come from Hawaii? Whatever the soil conditions and weather conditons are like there, then that's probably what they like best. No place like home!
I also have some variegated alocasia gageanas, and sometimes they'll theow two or three non-variegated leaves in a row and you'd swear they're reverting. Then the next 2-3 will be spashy as can be. Maybe when the plant is not so happy and feels it needs more food, it throws out some leaves that have more green and can feed it more because of more chlorophyll. Then when it's "full" it throws more variegation. If that's the case, then less fertilizer is the worst you can do!
Anyway, in a few years someone will probably have this all nailed down and know exactly what to do, and they'll be tissue cultured and just as cheap as everything else. So those of us that have aeae need to be enjoying being different and special in the short time we have remaining to have them when everyone else doesn't have them yet....lol...

06-21-2011, 06:06 AM	#16 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 366,552 Feedback: 31 / 97% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,801 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: Musa AE AE pictures & question I think that's the whole problem with aeae is that no one really knows what made them variegated to start with--and what keeps them variegated. It's got to be something inside the plant itself. Like in hostas, there are many mutations and varients even within the same cultivar of plant. But you can't take a green variety and make it variegated with fertilizer. (if I'm wrong, please tell me how, we have lots of green ones at our greenhouse...lol...) Didn't the aeae originally come from Hawaii? Whatever the soil conditions and weather conditons are like there, then that's probably what they like best. No place like home! I also have some variegated alocasia gageanas, and sometimes they'll theow two or three non-variegated leaves in a row and you'd swear they're reverting. Then the next 2-3 will be spashy as can be. Maybe when the plant is not so happy and feels it needs more food, it throws out some leaves that have more green and can feed it more because of more chlorophyll. Then when it's "full" it throws more variegation. If that's the case, then less fertilizer is the worst you can do! Anyway, in a few years someone will probably have this all nailed down and know exactly what to do, and they'll be tissue cultured and just as cheap as everything else. So those of us that have aeae need to be enjoying being different and special in the short time we have remaining to have them when everyone else doesn't have them yet....lol... __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website! Last edited by sandy0225 : 06-21-2011 at 06:08 AM.