taro

Taro (Colocasia esculenta 'Royal Hawaiian Aloha') should be watered regularly once per week. Water deeply, until water comes out from the drainage holes. The soil should be kept moist but not saturated. Reduce watering in winter or when the soil is kept too wet to prevent root rot. Do not leave the plant in water for more than 20 minutes. Check the soil before watering, if the top inch of soil is dry, water the plant thoroughly. Never allow the plant to dry out completely.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta 'Royal Hawaiian Aloha') prefers full sun for at least part of the day. Plant in an area with dappled or full sun for 6 to 8 hours per day in warm climates. In milder climates, taro will require more sun and can tolerate full sun all day. Taro does not need direct, hot sunlight, which will cause it to wilt quickly leading to dehydration and possibly death.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta 'Royal Hawaiian Aloha') should be pruned regularly to maintain its shape and size. Pruning should take place in the spring before new growth begins. This will ensure that the plant is healthy and vigorous for the season. It is important to cut off dead and dying leaves and stems as soon as they are identified. This will increase aeration and ensure that only the strongest and most vigorous branches survive and thrive. Prune back branches to specific nodes or leaf points, removing the leaf and stem so that only the internode remains. This will promote bushier growth and prevent the plant from becoming too tall and lanky. To encourage more flowers or increased bulb production, cut the previous season’s growth back by 2/3 or more. Finally, remove side shoots that emerge from the central stem if a single stem is desired for the taro.