anyone have a colocasia?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by catztail, May 17, 2009.

  1. catztail

    catztail Crazy Cat Lady

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    I am considering ordering one off the net but would like to know a bit more about them. Any info would be much appreciated!
     
  2. strongylodon

    strongylodon Old Member

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    I have had a Colocasia Esculenta for a couple of years. Mine is the common green one (edible Taro)
    Is the one you are thinking of one of the coloured leaf varieties?
     
  3. catztail

    catztail Crazy Cat Lady

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    Not really sure yet. Are they hardy? Do you have it in a pot or in the ground?? How big of a pot if thats where you are growing it? Is it very fussy or require loads of attention? I would be growing it in a pot on my patio most likely. The massive leaves are kewl!
     
  4. Victoria

    Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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    Hello catztail and welcome to GC ... just LOVE your name .... k-l

    I had one here and it died on me ... so I would say it's not hardy. :(

    Here's a link to all the threads on this plant on GC ..... here

    Enjoy the forum.
     
  5. walnut

    walnut Gardener

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    I have one it's in a pot and is brought in overwinter and kept ticking over at 10c,you can dry the tuber off and store it over winter and start them growing the following spring,temperatures between 20-30c are the best growing temperatures they like semi shade are greedy feeders,you will need a large pot and a fertile compost.Known as eddoes,tarro or dasheen you can pick a tuber up in a supermarket as they are edible roots,grow one of these it is a cheaper option.
     
  6. strongylodon

    strongylodon Old Member

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    I started mine off a bit too early this year and is almost full size now.
    As it is still light I have just taken this pic.
    It is in a large pot, slightly shaded and needs a lot of water and feed.
    [​IMG]
     
  7. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I've never grown these before, but was given a large root last summer.

    It was a bit late to do much with it at the time, but I now have three offsets and the main root is putting up two new shoots.

    I'm a bit unsure as to what I have, colocasia or alocasia, but knowing where it came from its probably not quite the norm and is perhaps a bit different.
    They are only growing slowly at the moment, I assume we need some heat to get things moving fast.
     
  8. walnut

    walnut Gardener

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    They are a bit like gingers Pete need a bit of heat to kick start them into growing.
     
  9. catztail

    catztail Crazy Cat Lady

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    super!!! thanks everyone for all the help and advice!! i will try the asian market and have a go that way. might as well get a couple and try one in the house too hehehehe. keen!!
     
  10. catztail

    catztail Crazy Cat Lady

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    Well, here's what i came home with...... Not sure what's what or what to do with them LOL!! Help please hehehehehe!
     
  11. catztail

    catztail Crazy Cat Lady

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    Well those have now gone in pots so fingers crossed. I assume the smaller ones are the colocasias but what is the big one anyone know????
     
  12. strongylodon

    strongylodon Old Member

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    They all look like a Colocasia Esculenta, same as in my pic above.:)
     
  13. catztail

    catztail Crazy Cat Lady

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    oh right i just assumed they were different because of the size and the big one was kinda slimey. guess well see what happens
     
  14. wilroda

    wilroda Gardener

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    I have a couple of these too. They thrive on the ledge in my pond.

    I do lift and store them indoors for the winter though and keep them ticking over.....
     
  15. catztail

    catztail Crazy Cat Lady

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    so how long does it take once planted before any growth appears?? lol am SO impatient!!
     
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