I invested a whopping 13 cents in a malanga from the food store, just to see what it'll do. I chose one with a green bud showing. I've had the bottom half in water for a week, no change. Am I on the right track? What could I expect from this large-kiwi-sized bulb? Thanks.
malanga from the grocery store
Here's a link on the Malanga. It says something about taking a long time .... not sure, I just scanned the info real quick. But, you might be able to figure something from this site. Maybe you should try rooting it in soil. It is a neat looking plant!
Lin
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MV090
Thanks- that was interesting although not detailed on culture. 9 months for a crop, guess that means a new batch of tubers, so I don't think I'll have this on my windowsill quite That long!
Do some things root more quickly in soil than water?
I believe some things might. I root stuff in soil and in water and I guess it depends on the plant. It would be kinda neat to buy another one of those and pot it in soil and see which roots first! May just be waiting for a bit warmer weather!
you want me to go spend another 13 cents?? think I have money to throw around : ^ )
if it works I could have a huge tropical effect for under a buck! of course would plan to store them over winter too.
Should probably be either Xanthosoma saggitafolia or X. violeceum. Ive gotten both when buying Malanga at the store. Not sure where you went but try a large international farmers market or someplace like that. I went to one in Georgia and found 4-5 different forms of Xanthosoma/Colocasia being sold as Malanga, Dasheen, Taro, etc. etc.
Interesting article. I thought these tubers had veins of a poisonous substance that had to be cut out before cooking. Or is that Taro...
I think plantfiles warns that they MUST be cooked, and can be irritatiing when raw.
Sally you need to ramp up the heat to get them going.
The Xanthes start moving in 75+ temps. The amount of light doesn't matter at this stage.
I start mine in 1/2 water and 1/2 soil in a shallow bowl or pie tin set on the furnace.
Once a leaf opens, full sun.
Ric
I was in an East Indian run gas station a few weeks ago and they had at least a half dozen trays in a back room with what must have been hundreds of X. violeceum growing. It must be a very popular food over in India because if you look in the gardens of many of the Indian run motels around you'll find this species planted commonly.
Ric- aha! so that's the secret missing ingredient- My windowsill is not that warm. But I'm not sure what you mean by half water, half soil. Potted and then set in a pan of water? Thanks for the help.
This is it. The green on top hasn't changed but I do see two tiny buds on the side.
Mix dirt w/ water (muck) in a shallow pan.
Set the tubers in it so they are about 1/2 way covered.
Add bottom heat.
They will be leafing in no time.
Once you get a true leaf pot them up.
Some will leaf quickly others take a while.
As long as the heat is 75-80 they won't rot.
Ric
Thanks, Ric
I get mine at the local oriental markets. sell for $1.59 per lb. for large sized tubers.I pot them in standard potting soil, use bottom heat and away they grow.They need lots of food, water and sun. these are usually Xanthosoma robusta. see pic.
That looks pretty much like mine. Thanks- I have turned up the heat and it is starting to sprout up.
Durn- no Xanthosoma rubusta in plantfiles
This message was edited Apr 11, 2007 9:07 AM
Sally, they get smooth large leaves that are dark green with a tinge of purple along the stems and leaf edges. Makes a nice garden plant that will grow very quickly if fed often and never allowed to get TOO dry. Can save over like cannas or throw away and start over the next year.
:-)
Thanks Eclipse, sounds like we'll have fun watching this grow!
I finally made my way to the famous Jungle Jim's last night and picked up 5 of the Malanga. While I was there, I picked up a few of the "taro" too. Chances are they are just esculenta but nothing ventured, nothing gained. LOL
Pick up any Lotus Root?
Ric
LOL I looked at them but most were moldy at both ends and none had growth tips. Besides I have about 20 babies growing in vases and mason jars on the counter. LOL
Jazzi was most impressed with the yucca roots but I told her no. Morganne like the giant white yams.....I had almost considered some water chestnuts due to my nifty wet yard but thought I might read about them first. ;)
I went to the International Market yesterday and found 'taro', 'malanga', 'water chestnut lily' in the produce section. Some of the malanga had a sign saying 'white' and the others looked the same to me. They were .69 a pound and the lily bulbs were .8. I am willing to try to grow anything and they are cheaper than $5 for one at big box stores.
They also sold taro stalks... I don't think I could eat one of my plants..:(
Susan
Update on my taro- it's been in the sun on the windowsill ,small pot of soil, and the top bud has elongated to about two inches, no more. Checked yesterday and there are no roots! I'm planning to g o ahead and plant outside unless somebody objects.
The roots will come.
It takes heat to get them up and running.
Some sit for weeks w/ no roots some get them in days.... go figure.
If you're getting hot days and warm nights then outdoors is fine.
Ric
well, I suppose they ain't tropical for nothin'
Next time I will wait till summer to start these guys.
Thanks, Ric
You don't really need to wait until Summer.
Just give them a really warm place to get started.
Top of a gas water heater works very well...
Ric
One of my first experiments when I got to Florida was to plant 2 malangas I had purchased at the grocery store nearby. They produced elephant ears and I was delighted with it. I have seen taro for sale at the same store. I am told that if you plant them, they will grow. If they grow, I won't turn them into poi because the stuff has a vile taste and looks even worse. I've had it at an hawaiian luau; it's an experience never to be repeated. No disrespect intended to our hawaiian friends.
Sylvain.
LOL!!!! I told hubby I could never eat one of my plants, he looked at me like I was crazy and proceeded to tell me that in some countries they eat cats, dogs and elephant ears too! I think I spend too much time with my plants!
Susan
AHA__ I do have a water heater!! Thanks! and furnace- think I can find a corner to stick it on.
Susan- I assume that you're not a veg gardener? : ^ )
Raggedyann, I would say that it is hubby that should open up of the ways of the world outside his lawn. Don't change your gardening habits, keep on trying to enlighten him.
If it weren't for plants, we wouldn't be here. Neither would the cats and dogs he scoffs at where they are a staple of everyday food. I've tried both and they were both good. I wouldn't cook them myself but when in Rome...
As far as elephant ears, I doubt that because you see elephants slaughtered for their ivory with their ears still on. Poachers have got to eat too. This being the case, wouldn't they get hungry for a nice elephant ear étouffée on the way to the ivory market? Plus, do you have any idea the size of the frying pan required for an elephant ear? Just kidding.
Sylvain.
This is my first year at attempting to grow anything other than flowers and cherry tomatoes. I've planted eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, apricots so far. It's also a first for cannas and elephant ears. For me to eat one of my tubers would be like eating my cat! It ain't gonna happen!
Hubby is Greek, born in Greece and will eat anything you put in front of him. He complains about my plants and that they are taking over, but they make me happy and they don't talk back or whine! LOL
Susan
couple years into cannas, I'll be you'll be begging for something to eat them- if you save and replant you'll have a lot.
yes those are two things I love about plants, too.
I bought two forms of "grocery ears" last fall (one has white flesh and the other pink) and they both started up and grew rapidly. I had to slow them down during winter due to the too-low light conditions I have, but both are now outside and starting up again. Pix to follow.
Such a bargain in the produce section!
R.
hey R, I am looking forward to pictures.
update on mine- I've been unable to commit it to a consistantly warm spot. The top bud pointed up about two inches then on hold. It's outside now but nights here still get cool.
This message was edited May 17, 2007 8:37 AM
Here's the one with the white-fleshed tuber:
The leaf:
The pink-fleshed tuber, much smaller than the first. A bit chlorotic from too cold night temps.
This message was edited May 17, 2007 4:41 PM
The stems. Has a good deal of purple, wheras the first one just had purple edges where the next leaf emerges. (What do you call those things??)
A bit blurry, sorry. This shows the purple edge of the first (white-fleshed) plant.
R.
A couple recent pix, now that summer's heat has come in.
Leaf.
