Hello All.
I have successfully sprouted two Taro bulbs (or corms/rhizomes/whatever) and both plants now have two large leaves each and look great. I recently bumped them up into 6" pots. My plan is to feature them prominently in my gardens this summer, perhaps in a grouping with Cannas and Papyrus' (Papyruses?). However, I can't put them the ground much before June, and our gardening season ends in late October.
My question: Will they grow fast enough (in full sun with lots of water and fertilizing) during our short season to look striking and cool, or will I most likely end up with two spindly plants with a total of six leaves between them? I tried 'Black Magic' in my gardens a couple years ago and it did NOTHING over the summer...but I hate to write off Colocasias/Alocasias entirely.
Any comments will be appreciated.
Erick
Colocasia esculenta Question
I would keep bumping them up to bigger pots-6" isn't big enough to encourage growth-they will out grow that size pot very fast. Keep fertiziling with liquid fert every week and give them as much sun as possible inside until you can plant them outside. In fact, I would put them in a 2 gallon right now.
Erick, To grow 'tropical' plants in the Twin Cities you need to choose a cultivar that grows in the cool tropics. When I was growing up in SMpls I remember seeing cannas and castor bean growing in gardens. I lived in SF, they have a climate that I would call the cool tropics, and there was only one EE that grew there - Alocasia odora 'California' http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53188/index.html If you can find it, I am sure it would do well for you.
Also, there is a guy out at the State Landscape Arboretum that has a lot of knowledge about uncommon plants. I don't remember his name. He is the guy that plans the seasonal beds, he and his wife run a small nursery and they have an incredible display garden every summer. If you are ever over there, or email them with a request for information, I am sure they would be happy to help.
I wouldn't give up on the Taro that you bought at the grocery store, you just never know what will grow. I would give it a southern, sheltered location and hope for the best.
The Alocasia odora 'California' is also known as A. gageana. The great thing about them is that they over winter as house plants great. They don't get over 3.5 feet tall and get bushy (pups). I put mine in the ground in mid May and pull them out the first week in October.
This Spring I might put some up on the Plant Trading forum.
ROX
Thank you all for the most kind and helpful advice. I will happily take it all!
Erick