I'm about to place a plant order- do you grow any of the below? How about wintering over, can they be left in a cool garage 50F over winter? Of the four plants listed which is your favorite? Any of the four listed difficult to grow?
COLOCASIA GIGANTEA
ALOCASIA 'SARIAN'
ALOCASIA MACRORHIZA
ALOCASIA MACRORHIZA 'LUTEA'
Thank you! Kristi
Need some opinions on the below plants-
Most of these can be grown easily with just a little bit of effort.
Colocasia Gigantea is a great plant specially if its the larger grower. It is also fairly hardy.
Alocasia Sarian is probably the most sensitive. It grows to about 10 feet or 15 feet tall. very nice but it can rot in the winter. It needs to be in a warmer place than most.
Alocasia Macrorrhiza is really easy and probably the most well known.
Alocasia Lutea I have never been able to get it to a huge size here its slower and I have lost a few to rot in winter. it is the least favorite due to difficulty and being slow.
Bwilliams: I just have to know ... which one is that in your above photo and is it grown out in the ground in Kentucky? Wow! It is Beautiful. I had no idea they could be grown in the ground outside as far North as Ky ... I always thought Alocasia's and Colocasia's were Way South Tropicals like Miami and South Florida or SA. That is one Awesome plant! I might have to give one a try here in my yard. I am learning so much about so many different kinds of plants here on DG.
I agree with Brian's comments.
I kept A. Sarian in the GH this year. It has done well, but it is still small (6").
The A. Lutea is finicky but I LOVE the chartreuse stems!
The A. Macro does well as a house plant in a sunny window with a grow light in the winter.
ROX
plantladylin,
You'd be suprised at what we here in more northern climes, (Im in 7b-8a) can grow outside year round. The only Colocasias I CANT get to grow outside here year round, (or at least leave out in the ground) are C. black majic and C. Nancys revenge but I know people not too far from where I live that grow both without any problems. All others....especially C. gigantea can be left in the ground. Alocasias seem to be getting easier here too, especially with this global warming thing. Most of my A. macs come back from trunks in the spring. A x portora never skips a beat. I havent tried lutea outside yet and A. sarian I wouldnt dare since the plants I grow always seem to SHRINK and not get grow...lol.