Species taro Guide

taro

Colocasia esculenta 'Tropical Storm'

Also Known As - coloyam,elephant's ear,elephant's ear

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division

Hardiness Zone:

8 - 10

Flowers:

Yellowish-white Flowers

Sun:

Filtered shade, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Acidic, Bog, Humus rich

Fruits:

green,yellow,purple Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,purple

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Taro plants (Colocasia esculenta 'Tropical Storm') should be watered every 2-3 days, using approximately 2 cups of water at each watering. During the plant's active growing season, which is spring and summer, Taro plants should also be fertilized every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer. During the fall and winter months, the amount of water and fertilizer should be reduced. It is important to remember not to over water or over fertilize your plant as this can cause root rot and other diseases.

sunlight

Taro (Colocasia esculenta 'Tropical Storm') prefers bright, indirect sunlight for 6 to 8 hours per day. This can be provided by a south or west facing window, or in the case of outdoor planting, a semi-sunny spot with some shade part of the day. Taro prefers morning sun, as it is less intense and less likely to cause sunburn than afternoon sun. If growing indoors, keep it away from cold drafts, and rotate the pot regularly so that it will grow evenly.

pruning

Taro (Colocasia esculenta 'Tropical Storm') should be pruned once a year, in late winter or early spring. Pruning should be done selectively to remove dead, diseased, or damaged foliage and encourage the growth of new foliage. Start by removing any leaves that are more than 1-third of their original size, as these are likely dead or dying. If needed, gently trim back stems that have become long and top-heavy. Make sure to maintain the basic shape of the taro plant. Pruning taro is an important part of maintaining the overall health of the plant.