Aroid fever

 There is a strange surge in interest of Aroids in the gardening scene and non more so than the variegated Monstera. This one, Monstera deliciosa Thai constellation, is a spectacular large leaf form with fairly stable variegation and will do well in dry indoor environment provided there is amble ventillation and light. 

Another old favourite, Philodendron "painted lady" is also a large leaf plant that starts off as a neat rosette with yellow to orange new leaves.

Philodendron bipennifolium aurea is also a colourful plant with neon yellow new leaves. Unfortunately the leaves turn green as they mature

Philodendron "white wizard" is another boldly coloured and easy plant - frustratingly though, the variegation may disappear so the grower should try to snip away the green shoots to encourage branching and hopefully the new shoots will be variegated.

I recently found an interesting form of the popular Philodendron Florida. This is a slender-leaf form which in adult foliage, seems to have large chunks bitten out from them by a hungry bug, think Philodendron joepii.

In the following photo, you can see the difference in shape between this form (top) and the form called "Florida Ghost" which has pale new foliage.

With the bright orange leaf stalk, large shield-like leaf blades with yellow veins, and tolerance for dry and bright areas, Philodendron billietiae should be a landscaper's dream. Its not, however, maybe its still not as common.

From the easiest to the trickiest to grow - Philodendron lynnhannoniae  is breathtaking beautiful yet its habitat in the cool humid cloud forests means that it will struggle in sweltering Singapore so please do not take this into your living room unless it has an air-con and mister 24x7.

I have  been told that this is a shade-loving creeping Philodendron hybrid. It looks like a Homalomena at first sight but closer inspection does seem to indicate that its a creeper, which most Homalomenas aren't. And those glaucous blue leaves ...nice.

Anthurium is another New World aroid that seems to be gaining traction. Unlike Philodendrons, there are relatively few hybrids to choose from and I think most Anthurium species adapt poorly to home culture as they need very high humidity.
With the relatively small  stature and distinctive foliage, Anthurium polyschistum may offer terrarium keepers a potential alternative to the usual gesneriads, Fittonias and small orchids. 

Anthurium forgetti is a very lovely peltate leaf species which is becoming more commonly available. This batch of seedlings are turning out to have some nice patterns. It appears to be quite easy in Singapore climate although high humidity is still essential.

Another peltate species, A. peltigerum - this submontane species is slow and finicky in lowland conditions and demands shade and very high humidity.

Anthurium decipiens used to be called salgarense but this name has been reserved for another plant with pleated leaves with curvy leaf margin while this plant with smooth leaf blade has been renamed.This is a magnificient Colombian giant which can be taller than a grown man - with the errect leaf itself up to 1.5m in height. Strictly not for indoor. The photo shows a puny juvenile.

There are many forms of Anthurium magnificum, all nice but some nicer than others.

From the New World to the Old World - the crop of Alocasia portei is turning out to be very robust. It should be ready for market earlier than expected. 

And the aptly named Alocasia heterophylla - all the 3 pictures are supposed to be different forms of the same species - talking of splitting personality !!

Alocasia cuprea is an old favourite, the metallic looking leaf can be more than 30cm in some forms.

Alocasia sanderiana nobilis has surreal looking leaf like a tribal mask. The wild plants are extremely endangered due to habitat destruction.

Alocasia baginda, commonly called "dragon scales" is a relatively new introduction from Kalimantan.  A miniature, it is a slow  but very compact grower. There are a few forms ranging from dark green leaf to this attractive pale grey form.