Reports of hardiness on Pink china Black Pearl an Big dipper

I am sure a few people have been growing these forms I have released over the years. I am looking to see how much cold they are taking and in what areas they are growing. I have had them all survive -5 big dipper is always mulched for me but pink china and black pearl have both survived -5 with no mulching. I have had reports of Pink china in Ohio and Michigan. As well as big dipper surviving in Ohio. I would like to hear more about the results of these plants in cold zones. What have been your experiences?
I have seen some struggle and die while others have become weeds. It seems that situation will be key much like Musa basjoo for these to do well. Anyone have photos?

I live in Rural Retreat Virgina (zone 7a). I purchased the following plant's as starter plant's a month ago and will winter them in door's until Spring (2009) and then plant them all outside . Time will tell in the following Spring of 2010 how they handle our Winter's here.

Colocasia's include: Pink China, Yellow Splash, Gigantea, NancyAna.

1 Alocasia: Hilo Beauty and one Basjoo Banana.

Rachel

I will be interested in your results. I have had some feed back from Ohio Michigan and Wyoming on the Pink china. it seems to be very tough once it is established.

Brian-
Pink China made it through last winter with no issues.
Athens OH 45701, Zone 6a

It is planted on a hill side, little or no mulch.
Just a warning - it comes up late ~end May - so don't dig it up by accident.

FYI, Several Alocasia gageana pups made it through the winter too.

If you know of anyone with Black Pearl, I'd be happy to trade or purchase and trial it.

A real side note:
As part of the Hawaiian taro study I am wintering 12 varieties four different ways:
1. Outside with mulching
2. In garage as bare roots
3. In garage with dirt in pots, dark and mostly dry
4. In greenhouse.

ROX

Rox very good to hear. I have had some Alocasias return but rarely will any larger tubers survive it is usually the small tubers that make it. I found tons of Alocasia Brian Williams surviving in my beds that I seemed to have over looked. I also did very well heavily mulching Alo odora last year.
As for the hawaiian Colocasias. I have found they are not hardy. It would be interesting to hear other wise. I have around 5 forms I would consider hardy to semi hardy here at the moment. Others seem to act more like illustrius or black magic and can easily rot in cold weather. They can survive if extremely well mulched but in most cases they do not and if they do they do not recover as quickly.

one Pink China survived and spread from one plant to an 8' bed that is only 8" deep down to concrete in one season. I mean that one plant came back and spread that much. I have shared so much of it with the neighbors they love me.

This elephant ear survived our first frost last year as a container plant and here is a pic of how it is doing after our second frost this year 2008. Next Spring I will plant this E.E. in the ground and let nature take it's course. It's done well for me and I have been very pleased with it's "will" to survive colder temp's than what it would prefer.

Rachel