My first tropical is in

you have the wrong one ... you need this one:

Alocasia macrorrhizos | Alocasia | Giant Taro

 

I agree with Dim....You do have the wrong one look at those Thai baby ; ).

 

Very nice plant, where in Britain was the picture taken?

 

here is a very good site with details, pics and hardiness zones of alocasia (some really niced coloured ones) ... plus some other very good sections

if the plants cost £10-£20 each, I will plant them as annuals .... it's worth the money for a seasons growth (unless you are prepared to dig them up every autumn and store them) ... that big one is hardy in USA zones 7b so will grow in many parts of the UK

Dragon Agro Products - Wholesale, Alocasia & Colocasia

 

USA zone 7b, is colder than most of the UK in winter, but much hotter in summer, growth would be much slower here, especially initial start after winter.
I'm also thinking the plant in the picture is a well established one and not something planted the same year.
We just dont get the heat and humidity for that kind of growth.

 

guys on hardy tropicals forums have been discussing these a while back (some purchased from germany, and apparantly Amarulee has them from time to time) ... search their site, and and you will see the thread ...

I've never ever planted any species of these but will have a very close look at getting a few especially the large leaved ones and the coloured ones

here is a pic of a leaf grown in Iowa USA ... If I can get them to grow half the size, I will be happy

 

I'm not actually saying the growing of large leaves is not possible here, but its not just a case of plant and add a bit of water.
I've got Alocasia x calidora and the web has pics like this Alocasia Calidora - Aroids - Hardy Tropicals UK

But in four years mine has never attained anything like that.

I'm thinking you would need very good growing conditions for this and definitely not a plant left out over winter.

 

I'm aware of that, but will give it a go this year .... if we have a decent warm summer ... with some compost tea at regular intervals, I might get the ones I plant to get a decent size ...

will post pics on the forum as I go along

 

Yes, I agree. I've grown them every summer for the past 5 years and they have never grown anything like as big as that, usually just producing 4 or 5 leaves. I still think they're worth it, though, (as long as I haven't paid a fortune for some fancy named variety) as the foliage is so striking. I've never kept one through to the next season, they just rot.

In fact, I find them pretty difficult to get going in the first place, as they will rot off at the drop of a hat, even after they've produced a shoot. I assume they really, really, really need that tropical warmth and humidity. Think about it- a constant 70F+ degrees, night and day, with very high humidity. I don't think extra feed is any substitute for that.

In fact, it's cruelty keeping them in the average UK back garden! The night time summer temp in Britain often goes down to a mere 13 degrees C.



For the above reasons I will not even bother planting mine until May - I'll be interested to hear how everyone's early forays into genuine tropicals works out.

 

Guys that sound like a genuine challenge to who can grow the biggest one...I do start mine indoor in March , they are rooting ever so easy but really seams that nothing uppen untill June. Even giant species will need time to grow to that size and like Pete mention , It can be a USA zone 7 but they have really hot summer ....and yes they will not grow more then 4/5 leaves that way you can put lods of them in one spot to create the effect of a bushy plant .
That is one of the reason why I grow eddoes from the asian store....you can buy 10 for £2

btw we are all wrong ....this picture is token from another webside (I hope the guy dasn`t mind me to publish is picture) , It a thai calocasia in England (I think blackpool)




and one more from UK

 

Giant Guatemalan elephant Ear plant - YouTube#!

 

lemon grass update.
the lemon grass has rooted nicely in just 9 days.

 

Gardening

Hi friend,
Please tell me some more about this type of grass. I had never heard about it later. How it grows? The soil and weather conditions essential to develop?

Garden Designer London

 

Hi Raman maan
Lemon grass is used in thailand for making tea and currys , the oil is used to keep moskito away and apparently an infuse of lemon grass boiled in water is used an plants to keep pests away .
You can buy it in any superstore like tesco or morrison , but it`s advised to get it from asian shop ...in nature lemon grass loves heating and moisture , so keep indoor untill mid may and plant it in half shade position , loves water and sunshine , by October you should have a 3 feet plant , it usually last me all winter for my thai curry .