3 leaves is typical for many Alocasias . I can keep several on lauterbachiana , but living in wet tropical conditions nearly identical to habitat really helps .

Yep. By then time the 4th leaf comes out the oldest leaf is yellowing.
A fuller look = more plants.
Illustris is the only one I had that had maybe 20+ leaves on the same plant.
And I didn't care for those tiny leaves- I like the giant leaves.
Karen

Hi, Illustris is a Colocasia, not an Alocasia!

I have found that my Alocasias typically hold 5 or more leaves (even lauterbachiana) when they are getting a constant regulated feed. This can be accomplished via a fertilizer injection system if your plants are irrigated automatically, or you can mix in a time release fert formulation such as Dynamite (available at Home Depot). Be prepared to repot one or more times in the summer because the plants really grow large that way, too.

I've seen lauterbachianas with 6 or more leaves at a time at a professional nursery with automatic irrigation and a metered regular soluble fertilizer injection system.

LariAnn
Aroidia Research

Here is a link that might be useful: Count the leaves!

LariAnn,

Hmm, that's definitely worth a try. I'm still trying to master the feeding of hydrocultured plants, and have been erring on the side of underfeeding. I just got back from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, where in one of the greenhouses I saw a couple huge A. portei (?unlabelled, unfortunately) with at least six leaves each; very impressive! Others were leafier as well.