Taro, Elephant Ear 'Black Magic' (Colocasia esculenta)

Taro, Elephant Ear 'Black Magic'
Colocasia esculenta

Just about 6 feet tall here in zone 7b

Very nice display bentleygardens.

thanks, now I am trying to overwinter it, it made it through hurricane Francis, thank God

I know this is a dumb question, but is this 1 plant. Your colocasia taro is the most beautiful plant that I have seen. You have it just planted and not in a pond . Simply beautiful.

Linda

It was overwintered last year in my kitchen in a 5 gallon container. We put this display out in May, and planted 9 babies. There is the end result. We have left it in the ground with heavy pinestraw, we'll see what happens. We also water it almost every day.

Gorgeous. With the prices they charge for these, you may be able to retire by just selling your pups!

I wish i could retire, I enjoy gathering rare plants, especially tropicals, to sell. Will update picture when they start to emerge again

I can't wait to see your display in 2005. 2004 display was out of sight. This is a dumb question, but I read somewhere these need to be planted on the north side of the house. Is this true? If it is WHY?

Have no idea about the north side of the house. All I know is that they better be growing come May.....lol......Maybe because the wind is not as great on the north side of the house. I put it in full sun and water the heck out of it. Bulb booster is required as well if you want the height.

ED

Thanks a bunch Ed, I hadn't even thought about a bulb booster, because I want my babies to get B I G, really big.

No problem, hope that works for you. I have grown them in a pond as well, the roots seem to get really big with not so much foliage above the water line. I also put one of those "whirly sprinklers" right in the middle of the clump (dont have to get leaves wet) and soak them every other day, every day in summer. Bulb fertilzer when they become active and do about 1x a month until about August. Remember each one of those plants you see in the picture were pups......

That is the only recipe I know of to get them 6 feet tall....please send me pictures when they are gigantic....lol.....

Ed

I hope to do that. I can't wait until spring.

The babies are coming up, will take picture in about a month, time for the bulb booster

Here is the picture taken today June 27th, almost 4 feet, can't wait to see them in August

Ed

I've just purchased some of these and thought about keeping them potted but if I should decide to plant them would they spread out on their own? Are they hard to keep in check? I wouldnt mind them spreading but not to the point of being invasive. Appreciate any input from anyone