What We Are

Aroidia Research is a privately funded, independent organization devoted to the breeding and study of plants in the family Araceae (Aroids). Specifically, we work with Alocasia, Philodendron, Anthurium and Caladium in our hybridization efforts. Alocasias are one group of plants known commonly as "Elephant Ears"; others are Colocasia and Xanthosoma.

If you are familiar with Alocasia x calidora and Alocasia x portora (aka "calodora", "caladora", "persian palm", "portidora", "portadora", "portodora") then you should know that these two plants originated with us. These plants were two of our earliest hybrids, developed in the early 1980s when Aroidia Research was just beginning.

Articles covering aroids and other topics, appearing on Dave's Garden are below:

• Alocasia 'Imperial Giant'
• Alocasia robusta
• LariAnn's complete article listing at Dave's Garden (28 as of 4/9/08 with 2 new ones added each week)

To learn more about what inspires us in our work at Aroidia Research,
see Aroidia - The Vision.

To view our Aroidia Research introduction video, click here!

If you came here for information about Superoots Air-Pots, click here!

Our Mission

Aroidia Research is dedicated to the development of new, hardier, and architecturally interesting aroid plant varieties for foliage and landscape use. Our efforts continue to produce hybrid plants that are significant improvements over what is presently available in the marketplace. Additionally, some of the work at Aroidia is oriented towards the discovery of new means and methods for growing difficult aroid plants successfully to full maturity.

All of the work at Aroidia Research is done with an eye towards the preservation of rare genetic material through incorporation into hybrids that are far more likely to survive under the rigors of 21st century conditions. Many of the most desirable aroids are also the most endangered and difficult to grow, so if this germ plasm is to be preserved over the long term, it must, in our opinion, become a part of the genetic makeup of much hardier stock.

News and Research

Feature in October issue of Ornamental Outlook! My article about the Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Borneo Giant' has been published in the October issue of OO. If you don't have access to the magazine, you may download your own PDF copy here. The PDF copy is a galley proof so the ad spaces are blocked off but not filled in. Click on Ornamental Outlook for more about this magazine.

Be sure to visit our pages showing our Caladium hybridization results, and don't forget to check our What's New page for info on our current work!

In addition to our aroid breeding programs, we have completed our first major research study, called the Alocasia Bioprotection Study, being done in conjunction with Dr. Wagner Vendrame of the University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, Florida. This study included ten types of difficult to cultivate species and varieties of Alocasia and five different bioprotection products that are commercially available to growers. The objective was to define a cultural procedure for growing these plants successfully to full maturity without the need for pathogen control chemicals. The results turned out to be inconclusive because of adverse weather events which included cold and rain. This led to much higher rates of mortality unrelated to simple microbe infection.

The plants used were Alocasia robusta, A. villeneuvii, A. sanderiana, A. watsoniana 'Tiffany', A. nebula imperialis, A. rugosa, A. nebula 'Elaine', A. reversa, A. infernalis, and A. reginula 'Black Velvet'.

This bioprotection study is the first in a series of ground-breaking studies focusing on selected aroids and their growth and production. A second study that is in preliminary trials at this time is one using innovative new containers known as Superoots Air-Pots. These containers provide unequalled aeration to the root zone as well as preventing the root circling which is so prevalent in standard nursery containers.

Our Hybrids

Most of the pictured examples found here are plants actually grown at Aroidia Research. Many examples of our present accomplishments are not yet pictured on this site so as to avoid patentability issues. Seriously interested commercial parties are encouraged to contact us for more information on these newest developments. The Aroidia Research R & D facility is not open to the public. If you are interested in purchasing our plants, please visit Obtaining our plants and/or email us.

What do we do for funding?

Our sister organization, engaged in retail and mail order sales and production of Rainbow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta), is the primary source of funding for our work.

We also distribute surplus aroid plants via mail order sales directly to retail customers. For more information about this, click: Obtaining Our Plants

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© 2007 by Aroidia Research