Could some of you that live in South West Florida give me some tips on growing Colocasia and Alocasia?? It seems I am just keeping mine alive. I want them to thrive. Controlling nematodes, bulb rot, soil type, and fertilization are some of the areas I need help in. I know thats a lot to ask so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Shawn in St. Petersburg
Anyone have tips for growing Colocasia in SW Florida???
I don't have much experience in growing Colocasia, but I have years of experience in growing Alocasia. The kind(s) you are trying to grow make a difference in what kind of advice I can offer. So whatever information you can provide will help me help you!
LariAnn
http://aroidiaresearch.org
I have Bornieo GIant, Portidora, Pink Flamingo, Coffee Cups, and some others. I have had some luck with Portidora, The the others are just hanging in there. Hope this helps.
Borneo Giant is a bit less hardy than Portora (portidora is the incorrect name for this plant; Portora is the name I gave it when I published the results of the hybridization that produced it). Borneo Giant needs warmer weather to get under way, but also needs more fertilization. Borneo Giant is a heavy feeder once it gets under way. Portora, having A. odora as one parent, is hardier and grows better in cool weather than the others. Check out the Home Depot and see if they carry a fertilizer brand called "Dynamite"; that is the retail version of Nutricote, perhaps the best timed release fertilizer available on the market today. Well draining soil and Dynamite incorporated into the soil is what you need for the spring and summer growing season. I use a 3:2:1 ratio mix of composted pine bark, washed perlite, and Canadian peat for my Alocasias in pots.
If you see any corm rot, clean the wounds thoroughly, let dry, and apply cinnamon powder to cover the exposed tissue completely. Press the powder into every corner of the wound. This really does work; I use it on my big Borneo Giant plants.
Pink Flamingo (if I understand correctly, this is the same as Aurora) is even more sensitive to cold than Borneo Giant is, so you won't see much action until the weather warms up permanently to 70s night and 80s day. Coffee Cups I have no experience with.