Alocasia Regal Shields hybrid rare cultivation Europe
👑🌿 Alocasia 'Regal Shields'
A spectacular modern hybrid, combining vegetal power and black elegance for enthusiasts of rare tropical plants
🌱 Introduction
At Green and White Plants, we have seen many rare Alocasias pass through our hands. Today, grown in a controlled environment , we understand why certain modern hybrids like 'Regal Shields' have become absolute benchmarks for collectors in France and Europe .
This article is here to tell you its story, its morphology, its genetic power, and above all how to live with it serenely as a plant addict , without unnecessary stress.
🧬 Parentage and genetic origin
The Alocasia 'Regal Shields' is the result of a precise and documented crossbreeding:
• Alocasia odora as the ovular parent
• Alocasia reginula 'Black Velvet' as a pollen parent
This cross was created in 2007 by LariAnn Garner at Aroidia Research , and then officially registered under US Plant Patent PP27050 . This detail is important because it places 'Regal Shields' within a modern, rigorous, and traceable horticultural approach.
The plant combines the robustness, size and structure of Alocasia odora with the dark depth and elegant texture of Alocasia reginula.
It is precisely this type of combination that gives rise to rare tropical plants that are so popular and reliable in cultivation.
📜 Names, synonyms and official recognition
On the market, Alocasia 'Regal Shields' may sometimes appear under other names:
• Alocasia 'Reginora'
• Alocasia x reginora
These synonyms exist, but the name Regal Shields is now the most widely recognized, notably thanks to its official registration and its dissemination in in vitro culture.
For European collectors, this recognition is reassuring. It guarantees a certain morphological stability and consistent cultural behavior, which is not always the case with unregistered hybrids.
🌿 General size and impressive dimensions
Alocasia 'Regal Shields' is a plant that can take up a lot of space, and that is precisely what makes it so charming.
Observed dimensions:
• Height ranging from 30 cm to 1.2 m
• Wingspan between 61 and 91 cm
• Moderately vigorous growth
With age, the plant develops a rhizomatous base, almost like a small trunk at the base of the petioles. This detail gives an impression of solidity and maturity that few Alocasias possess at this stage.
We've noticed that in a stable environment, the plant quickly gains prominence without becoming uncontrollable. It's an excellent compromise between a robust decorative plant and a rare tropical collector's item .
🍃 Foliage, textures and color palette
The foliage is undoubtedly the most striking feature of the Alocasia 'Regal Shields' .
Leaf characteristics:
• Well-defined heart- shaped
• Deep basal cut with lobes approximately 5 cm long
• Leaf tip slightly angled downwards
• Tough and hairless texture
• Matte top surface
• Satin-finished underside
Evolving colors:
• Young leaves are dark green with purplish hues
• Mature leaves are very dark green to almost black
• Reverse side of the leaf tending towards deep purple
The veins are clearly visible on both sides, which accentuates the graphic effect. Each new leaf gives that little adrenaline rush that every plant addict knows all too well.
🌱 Roots, bulbs and underground structures
Beneath the substrate, the Alocasia 'Regal Shields' hides an equally interesting organization.
We observe:
• Fleshy roots
• Circular bulbs approximately 3 cm in diameter and 6 cm in height
• Slightly shiny apex
• Base with a bark-like texture
• Smaller oblong cormels
These structures explain why the plant is relatively tolerant of minor variations, as long as the substrate is aerated and well-draining . However, excess water in a pot that is too large can quickly become problematic.
This is a mistake we used to make often. Nowadays, we always prefer a properly fitted pot and a breathable substrate.
🧬 Sterility and genetic explanations
The Alocasia 'Regal Shields' is very likely sterile .
Two main hypotheses are put forward:
• Allopolyploidy , linked to a chromosomal imbalance between the two parent species
• Aneuploidy , resulting from an abnormal number of chromosomes
In both cases, the consequence is the same: an inability to produce functional gametes. This severely limits its use in hybridization, but does not detract from its ornamental value.
For a collector, this is sometimes even an advantage. The plant concentrates all its energy in the foliage, and not in sexual reproduction.
🌡️ Ideal growing conditions in Europe
The Alocasia 'Regal Shields' is surprisingly tolerant for a plant of this size.
Recommended conditions:
• Ideal temperature between 20 and 28 degrees
• Limited cold tolerance
• Humidity between 60 and 80 percent
• Bright indirect light
• Substrate kept moist but never waterlogged
We observed moderate resistance to mites , which is a real plus for a large-leafed indoor plant.
🪴 Substrate and nutrition: the key to longevity
Like all rare tropical plants , 'Regal Shields' is extremely dependent on its substrate.
A good substrate should:
• Retain moisture without suffocation
• Promote root oxygenation
• Remain stable over time
That's precisely why we offer our premium substrates, cleaned three times . They've already saved over 50 plant addicts and satisfied more than 100 enthusiasts looking for a substrate truly suited to rare tropical plants .
In terms of nutrition, the plant appreciates regular but gentle fertilization. Consistency is more important than quantity.
🧠 The plant addict's reaction to 'Regal Shields'
With Alocasia 'Regal Shields' , one often experiences:
• Immediate admiration
• Slight stress about his height
• A source of pride when the plant establishes itself permanently
• A genuine long-term commitment
It's a plant that accompanies you. It grows with you. It marks the stages of your journey as a collector.
📊 Summary table
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Alocasia 'Regal Shields' |
| Kind | Registered horticultural hybrid |
| Parentage | Alocasia odora x Alocasia reginula 'Black Velvet' |
| Hybridizer | LariAnn Garner |
| Height | 30 cm to 1.2 m |
| Signature | Dark foliage, majestic bearing |
| Variations | White, yellow |
| Special feature | Probably sterile |
🌿 In short
Alocasia 'Regal Shields' is a vigorous, stable, and incredibly rewarding plant. It perfectly embodies the success of modern hybridization applied to rare tropical plants . For enthusiasts in France and Europe , it's a sure bet, both spectacular and surprisingly affordable.
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