My seedlings finally bloomed this year. I first noticed them about 4 or 5 years ago. These are volunteers. I didn't plant them. I am assuming the birds did. Can't think of any other way. I only grow them in pots that I overwinter. Is this common or rare? It sure surprised me.
I know some people consider this area as zone 7a. I call it 6b. That's according to the USDA map.
The pink one.
killdawabbit, good growing.
Zantedeschia 'Picasso', Zantedeschia aethiopica 'white giant', and a noid calla which produces a yellow bloom have been hardy here (in the ground year around) in my part of Virginia for several year's with out any type of Winter protection. According to your post I am assuming that you are still over wintering your plants indoor's via the Winter month's in your area? If so, it appear's you may not need to.
I'm kind of taking no chances. I like some in pots so I can move them around if I want to. I'm not sure they would survive the winter in pots would they?
Do you know anything else that might be hardy like the callas? I have always thought they were very tender. I had a black taro that came up a few times but it didn't this year. Don't know why.
The callas are usually considered zone7 hardy. Their are a few I believe are a bit tougher than others like the giant form and it seems color plays a part yellows whites and orange ones seem to do better than purples and pinks.
The key for a lot of these aroids is how far down tuber is planted if it is planted 1 to 3 inches then it is more likely to freeze out. If it planted 4 to 8 inches it may take longer at times to come up but survives deeper longer freezes. Mulching can be key to keeping out a lot of hardier tropicals. A few inches of mulch can give the added protection needed to keep the underground tuber from freezing solid and surviving. I have been testing aroids and other plants here in Louisville KY zone 6 for the last 20 years. You may have more to chose from than you thing for a tropical look. Added mulching to the care of your plants and your choices will quadruple.
I guess my volunteers moved down into the ground by themselves. I have never done anything to them. Not even mulch.
I believe I will try more. Different varieties.
Killdawabbit, bwilliams is the one you need to look to for further information concerning growing "some" tropical's in our part of the world. I myself am still learning but have been successful with over wintering in the ground a few Colocasia esculente and two different Cordyline Australis. I was hoping that my Alocasia cucullata would over Winter here but being that I have not seen it...I guess not this go around but I will try it again this Winter and a few more as well. Aroids are my passion.
Wishing you the best as well.
Rachel
Hi, Rachel. Funny. It just so happens that I bought Alocasia 'Brian Williams' from Brian Williams just a couple of weeks ago.
I read in another thread that a guy uses black plastic on his hardy banana to keep it from getting too wet in the winter. My black taro came back for a couple of years but not this year. I wonder if covering it with black plastic might help. I am going to try again.
Thread:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1108164/
Hi killdawabbit, if your area received as much moisture as mine did during this past Winter then perhaps your "black taro" succumbed to rot being that you had been successful with it priorly for the past couple of years. I did mulch my Colocasia/Alocasia plants near the house and also covered them with a light weight type of tarp to help protect from moisture. My Musa basjoo was left way out in the open to fend for itself with no Winter protection. A sucker/pup returned but not the mother plant...
Wishing you all the best and happy gardening.
The rain here was relentless.:-P
