Growing colocasia Black Coral

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by Verdun, Aug 26, 2018.

  1. Verdun

    Verdun Passionate gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2012
    Messages:
    7,475
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West Cornwall
    Ratings:
    +17,486
    I have failed miserably this year trying to grow colocasia Black Coral.
    My failure has only determined me to grow this plant

    Anybody grown this or any other Colocasia?
    Tips, advice and comments would be appreciated. :)
     
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    30,685
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Surrey
    Ratings:
    +45,635
    I grow them Verdun.

    I keep them in really big containers, 75L just on the limit on what I can lift. Once in active growth they need lots of water (I stand mine in big saucers and keep them tooped up), a very sunny position and regular feed of high nitrogen food. The wind gets at my bigger ones and so I trim off ragged leaves, new ones are constantly produced.

    Winter is the biggest challenge for me, as they are obviously frost tender. I've tried letting them go dormant and starting them into growth in the spring but generally the tubers rotted off. What works for me is to move them into a heated greenhouse overwinter, and remove most leaves. Kept at 5C and fairly dry they remain in leaf through winter, although looking very sorry by spring. Like cannas they grow like crazy when the warmer days return pushing up new buds.

    C esculenta with granddaughter for scale:
    20160803-P8030010.jpg

    This showing the pot:
    IMG_20180803_205416608.jpg

    And Black Coral, doesn't get as big as the green ones - has a metallic sheen:
    IMG_20180820_070950847.jpg
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jun 3, 2008
      Messages:
      30,685
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Surrey
      Ratings:
      +45,635
      Not sure if that helps you Verdun, what were your problems this year?
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Verdun

        Verdun Passionate gardener

        Joined:
        Oct 16, 2012
        Messages:
        7,475
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        West Cornwall
        Ratings:
        +17,486
        Hiya JWK, thought...hoped...you would reply. Thanks. :)

        I didnt get very far with mine. Bought in winter as a small corm (?) and it rotted off. It was in an unheated conservatory and I think it was too wet. I thought it needed to be kept on the moist side. Normally temperature down here in a conservatory does not fall below 5 degrees so maybe I can get away with that esp if I put a small heater in there at coldest times.
        Your info has given me a better clue as to how to grow them....I will try again:)

        I aim to grow it, for the summer, in a warm, sunny sandy border maybe with a grass or two

        Your Black Coral looks good there:)

        Impressive garden by the way.:)
         
        • Like Like x 3
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jun 3, 2008
          Messages:
          30,685
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Surrey
          Ratings:
          +45,635
          The method I used to start off the dormant corms was to put them in a poly bag and blow in - apparently one breathe is enough moisture to trigger them into growth (after a few weeks). I got that method from another forum. About 50% of the ones I tried like this rotted off so it's very hit and miss. People soak them in a dilute bleach first and other concoctions, it seems a black art to get out of dormancy (hence why I try and keep mine in growth all year round). You can buy them in Asian supermarkets for next to nothing, called taro but they don't have the big leaves - good for practising on though.

          They should be OK over winter in your conservatory over winter.
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Verdun

            Verdun Passionate gardener

            Joined:
            Oct 16, 2012
            Messages:
            7,475
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            West Cornwall
            Ratings:
            +17,486
            Thanks....plenty of food for thought :)
             
          • pete

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

            Joined:
            Jan 9, 2005
            Messages:
            47,718
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Mid Kent
            Ratings:
            +84,360
            Fantastic plants @JWK:dbgrtmb:
            Not something I've really mastered.
            Tried Taro which did ok for one year only.
             
            • Friendly Friendly x 1
            Loading...

            Share This Page

            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
              Dismiss Notice