Colocasia Mammoth winter update

[Dave Brown]

The mammoth herd was lifted in early November. See Mammoth Lifting The pups were potted up and put in the conservatory, the large plants potted into tubs and placed in the open covered courtyard. These were exposed to near freezing temps before the doors were put on, and then below zero temps as the outside plunged to -4.5C on the 19th/20th December. The thermomenter inside recorded -2C but is not very accurate. This is the main plant, which lost it's leaf blades in the cold but the stem looks fine and has not gone into hibernation. Notice the small leaves are still intact.

The base of the plant is still quite large

The outer leaves die off to some extent whatever time of year, but during winter can cause rot to set into the top of the rhizome. The best way to avoid this is to completely remove any dying leaves right down to the base where they join the rhizome. I do this by sliding my thumb under the old leaf, prising it away from the younger leaves inside, then peeling it away from the rhizome in a circular motion. See pic

All decaying leaf material was torn away to help keep the plant dry. This tshould be done periodically to help keep the plant dry. Cleaned Mammoth ready to be put back in the covered courtyard,

[Mark]

Dave are you going to take the pups off in the spring or leave them on the plant ?

Its a pity that nice pink colour doesn't run up the stem a lot more.

[Dave Brown]

Thought I bump this up as people are starting to lift their plants for winter

[Owen]

Dave how did the mammoth do this year for you? Did you plant it out in the bed?

How do you think it has compared to growth in the pot last year?

Thanks
Owen

[Dave Brown]

Owen, it was not in the pot all year, only after I dug it out for overwintering

Sep 2007 before being dug out in November

pups April 2008

Pups Planted out July 2008 when bed cleared

Ocober 2008 Now

The parent plant can hardly be seen although it is as big..... I foolishly planted the Ricinus and Brug in front of it. Here it is just planted up in June. You can see the mum Mammoth lurking at the back of the border,

3 1/2 months on you would not recognise the border, and you can't see the Mammoth at all, although it is still there and happy lurking in the deep shade. It is a really deep green