Black-leaved Taro
- Subject: Black-leaved Taro
- From: D* W*
- Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 15:30:17 -0800
There was a discussion last month about the difficulties of growing
the black-leaved form of Colocasia esculenta. I reported that I had
killed it twice over winter. I visited the friend who had given me
my latest 'pup', and there was Mama, looking very healthy in a huge
pot by the sliding glass door inside his warm kitchen. I admitted
that his gift had died the previous winter in my unheated greenhouse
and he said, "It is a tropical, you know." I guess that's the last
gift I'll get for a while.
Anyway, there's the trick. You can put it on the patio for the
summer, but when the temperature dips below 25C, take it inside with
you. No coldframe, garage or basement. If you're comfortable sitting
in your shirtsleeves, it will last out the winter. If you have to
put a sweater on, goodbye plant.
Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
zone 8 cool mediterranean climate
