re: colocasia Black Magic

Hi: I was told in the foliage forum that I should ask my questions here as you guys are the experts!! I have a small colocasia I got this year. It's in a pot. I was told to bring it in for the winter, trim the foliage back, and don't water it.

So I'm not supposed to water at all? Just let it go bone dry? Is that good for any kind of plant? My basement is heated, not cold, though it does get into the low 50's in there by February or so. Thanks for your help.

I'm not the one to ask because I always killed mine trying to store them dry!

Can't you keep them in warmth and some light?

Im a newbie to all this but my answer for storing tropicals in the winter is to put it on the bottom shelf and water it very little..when it dies down and you forget what it is and think youve just killed something then decide about Feb to give it a little drink to see what may have been in the pot..voila...a calla lily reappears...lolol....never wintered over one and after all that it was easy.....lol...Judy

maddio ... do you have a well lit room in your home or office? If they get enough light and warmth, they'll make it through the winter fine without having to risk total "hibernation." I've had mixed results with the black colocasias, just not a meaty enough culm (or bulb, if you will) to carry it through totally dried out. If yours begins to lose steam, just back off on the watering and water lightly when the soil is rather dry. As long as it is spitting up new leaves, though, keep 'er bright and watered.

Hope that helps ... I am passing along info from others more than I am speaking from experience on this particular variety. I have a bunch of these potted up and plan on trying all sorts of things this winter with them. I'll keep you posted as the winter wears on.

Peace off,
Buck

I agree w/ Buck
If you have VERY bright conditions they will winter over as if outside.
Usually though they will cut back growth dramatically.
I winter some in the sun and under lights,
some in the sun and some just in pots in a dark corner.
The key is water.
If they aren't gowing treat them like a succulent such as Kalanchoe.
Water only when dry, early in the morning let them drain entirely.
They can't stand in water.
Never fertilize in winter.
They will turn green if the light's not bright enough.
That's normal.
When you see new shoots in the Spring gradually increase the water.
Don't water a lot until you see the second true leaf.
By then they can probably go back outside.
We take ours out as soon as the temps break 60.
Several times they need to come back in for frosts but..........

Ric

We keep ours inside until the overnight temps get above 60; but I have been making the "mistake" planting most of mine in ground, which I imagine is going to cost me this year (I dove in with a bunch of new species I am wholly unfamiliar with, so.......)

Anyhow ... Ric, should leaves *not* be green as a norm?

On 'Black Magic', Runner, etc. they should be almost coal black.

You guys get 60's at night way before we do.
Once they start growing and it's day safe they're outta the house. lol

I usually do all my Colocasia, except common green, in pots.
That's changing as I know more and am getting some hardier plants. ('China Pink' and 'Big Dipper' will be grounded permanently)
In pots we can move them into the bare spots left by the Spring plants. We do a lot of Astilbe and Mayflower and so have some pretty nice sized areas to fill.

Ric

I just read an article about over-wintering plants in FLA. It suggested putting up a small camping tent, and using a 100 watt light bulb, when frost is predicted.

I know that won't help people in Ohio or Michigan, but it may be a good idea for zone 9 people. Another option might be lower-end "portable" greenhouses - I've seen them for $100.

I just need to get it past my wife!

I agree with Buck as well.
I'm fortuneate to have a greenhouse, I'm potting up all the pups now- and by keeping them out of total dormancy, they will take off rather well when it warms up again. These are not Black Magics, but close enough, this one was in a pot during the winter. Ironically I tossed the dirt on one of the flower beds, and I've had pups all over the place.
'Metallica' Alocasia plumbea

I meant to put this link in the last message.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/fp.php?pid=1665253

I've tried about every method there is on wintering Tropicals.
As I don't have a heated garage or a basement.................
It's been mulching, tents, wraps, warehousing, hoops and now....

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/549574/

Ric

Yes ..I mulch my rubber plant...I bury it in leaves.
That pict made me smile. Looks like my croweded greenhouse in the winter. Sometimes when I wished winter was over, I'll go sit in the green house!
Rj

Ah man ............... forgot to get the pots inside and now we're in the midst of a total deluge of rain. I doubt that's good.

I 'just' remembered about 8 last night and was out w/ the flashlight.
The tenders are now either inside or on the porch.
'China Pink' is trying to throw 2nd new leaves.

Ric

Thanks for all your help. I'm in zone 5 and am so envious of those of you in warmer climates. I've moved it into bright light. If I can successfully overwinter this, I'll definitely be interested in getting more in the spring, and looking for advice where to get more. I wasn't real happy with this one (I think it was from Wayside), but it did live. All those other kinds look so neat. Can't wait. Thanks again for your help.