Araceae Cloud Forest

Overview

The Araceae Cloud Forest at Subtropical Exotics is a private, specialised collection dedicated to cultivating and maturing aroids—plants from the Araceae family—under carefully controlled, high-humidity conditions. This environment mimics the natural cloud forest habitats where many aroids thrive, supporting diverse growth habits including climbers, semi-epiphytic climbers, and epiphytes.

Growing Environment

Humidity and Climate Control:

The cloud forest maintains high humidity levels, monitored and regulated by digital sensors that measure light intensity and air temperature. The fogging rate is automatically adjusted in response to these environmental factors, ensuring optimal conditions for aroids.

Growing Medium:

Aroids are mass-planted in a premium Coco coir blend (60% pith, 40% chips),
which offers exceptional water retention, aeration, and a sterile, sustainable medium. Specifically formulated fertilisers enhance the Coco coir, promoting vigorous growth and healthy root development.

Species and Growth Forms:

The collection includes a wide variety of aroid species and cultivars. Plants are grown to maturity as epiphytes, emiepiphytes, and terrestrial forms, allowing the development and spatial distribution of aerial roots typical of
mature aroids.

Cultivation Techniques

Mass Planting:

The Araceae Cloud Forest features mass plantings of aroids, which thrive in the controlled environment and coco coir substrate. This approach not only supports robust growth but also replicates the dense, competitive conditions of natural
cloud forests.

Environmental Optimisation:

Digital sensors and automated climate controls ensure that variables such as
temperature, moisture, and light are continuously optimised for the needs of
the diverse aroid collection.

Key Advantages

Water Retention & Aeration:

The coco coir blend provides superior water retention and aeration, crucial for
the health of epiphytic and terrestrial aroids.

Sustainability:

The growing medium is sustainable and sterile, reducing the risk of pests and
diseases and supporting environmentally responsible cultivation.

Summary

The Araceae Cloud Forest at Subtropical Exotics exemplifies advanced horticultural practices for aroid cultivation, creating an ideal environment for these unique and often rare plants to thrive and reach maturity.