I am making a shade garden. Soil will be well drained. (my first try at these)
What watering suggestions would you have for
Elephant Ears
Curcuma's
Xanthosomas
Coleus
Caladiums
I live in low 8-b or high 9-a depending on what map you use.
Thanks, George in San Antonio
Watering question for EE's, Curcuma's, xanthosomas, coleus,
George, some of my elephant ears like a lot of water, like black magic, but some of them don't like wet feet. I would just water when it feels dry or when they begin to droop. I found that they all respond well to fertilizer (miracle grow or whatever I have). Good luck on your shade garden - it sounds like you have some great plants.
I have some EE bulbs about the size of a baseball. Someone told me these like more shade then sun. Is this true?
Thanks Roz. I am trying for maximum drainage due to I am also planting some rare shade loving cycads in the shade garden and they have to have very well drained soil or get root rot. I will keep the soil from drying out too much. In the hot San Antonio Summer I have to water my container roses every day and the Roses in raised beds every other day so I am out in the garden checking soils already. This should not add too much time to my garden watering schedule.
George in San Antonio
Jester,
Try this link for help on your Coleus...
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/492241/#new
Nancy Lee--Coleus Lover
Jester, like Roz said the Black Magic loves water. My Colocasia Black Magic, xanthosoma violaceum, x jeoquinii, c variegata, c violet stem, c fallax, c Ruffles and x Lime Zinger get watered at least twice a week, more as the summer heats up and more water if they are in sandy soil. Those around the sidewalk and pook deck get more water because they seem to dry out faster. My Alocasia portadora and macoriza are big so they get watered when the rest of them do but Purple Prince, Green Shield, Frydek, the Pewter one, Metalica Crispa and Amazon Mask only get watered when they are dry.
I've killed a few gingers(actually lots of gingers, lol) so I'm not one to answer that question but mine seem to do better in a slightly raised bed that I added lots of organic matter to. My coleus I water more when first transplanted(the soil around the root ball will dry out just like they are still in the pot for the first couple of weeks), but once they get established once a week does them.
Hope that helps. I should also add that there has been a huge amount of organic matter added to my garden soil because it would pack down and seem dry on top but was wet beneath. This has really helped the plants.
George,
The Curcuma don't need a lot of water until the new growth breaks. You'll then wat to make sure they don't dry out during active growth. for you that will be a daily watering once the temps start cranking up. After they go dormant in the fall, reduce water to what mother nature provides.
The same can be said for the Xanthosoma and the Caladiums. Too much water during dormancy, and they can rot. For this reason, you may want to arrange those 3 closer together, so they're not next to plants that need water during the winter.
Chris
Chris, is that what I did to Nancy's Revenge? I know it's not a xanthosoma, but she went dormant after our Christmas cold spell and then she just rotted. I've killed so many of those, I'm gonna give up!