Alocasia Melo (Alocasia rugosa)

In comparison to all the Alocasia species listed, 

this particular one is considered a Jewel Alocasia - similar to Black Velvet variety.

It is not a hardy plant and may easily succumb and rot away if overwatered - the succulent features of these plant - where the leaves are very much have a hard texture almost like a shield - a leather thick foliage.

These have a mono coloration wrinkled texture of grey and silvery-green with veins sunken deep inside the leaf surface. Indeed a unique type indeed.

Also it is amazing to note that this one is native plant from Sabah Borneo and considered not commonly available in many nurseries due to the slow growing nature and may easily die if proper care is not given.

Usually sold in nurseries with 3-4 leaves in a small dwarf like plant, often you might find 2 plants in a pot usually sold around RM18 or so depending on size and availability.

I had challenges with this one.

Killed if few times - got it right for many months and still end up killing it as I took it for granted.

This one is similar behavior with Caladium - always in the balance of everything - not too much of everything.

Lighting:

Not too hot that will jade or burn the foliage and not too shaded that the leaves will start to turn yellow and wither away - a bright shade is the most ideal thing for this one.

Medium:

I often find this one grown and cultivated inside a cocopeat and end up killing it when overwatering it. And thus removing the access cocopeat and mix the medium 50% cocopeat with 50% sand to create the fast draining factor for watering purpose. 

Watering:

Overwatering is the main reason why this plant dies - do be very concern about this matter.

Feeding:

I find this is the most important factor - without proper feeding this plant will slowly will loose it leaves - one in a week and eventually goes dormant. It does however have a corm (bulb) that is very important to consider not to overwater it to cause it to go rotting inside the soil. Thus - proper care is required that it won't go dormant and totally lost.

Though - it may go dormant - do make sure it doesn't rot away.

Also I had found with my research the best fertilizer that works for this one is root hormone known as B1 and osmocote fertilizers. I believe seaweed solution too works best. The most important factor is getting the right balance and very much fall in the trial and error factors - it is somehow not a easy plant to cultivate but truly a rewarding one.

I will update on this particular one once I get my hands on this one later when I get this again.

There are few variety of the Jewel Alocasia variety.

Other matters concerning the Care & Cultivation Methods on Watering, Medium and Pruning

Do refer to the link below:
Introduction to Jewel Alocasia

Do click to the Link Below 

To check on the Main Page Concerning Different Types of Jewel Alocasia:

Different Types of Jewel Alocasia - Names & Images