What Colocasia are you growing ? List them here
- Dave Brown
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What Colocasia are you growing ? List them here
I wandered around the garden and conservatory last weekend, and took a note of all the collies I have and the numbers. I thought I had lost loads last winter but most came back. and those I did actually lose I have replaced.
Let's compare what we are growing and how you think they have done in 2010
Colocasia
Black Beauty clump of 10
Black Magic clump of 13
Burgundy Stem x 1
Dark Stem Hybrid x 1
Elepaio x 1
Fontenesii Clump of 6
Gaolagonensis x 7
Hawaiian Eye x 1
Jack's Giant x 3
Mammoth x 16
Mojito x 1
Pink China x 1
Remusatia ( not a collie, but very similar) 2 trays (about 20 plants)
A few pics, I'll take some more over the next few days
Let's compare what we are growing and how you think they have done in 2010
Colocasia
Black Beauty clump of 10
Black Magic clump of 13
Burgundy Stem x 1
Dark Stem Hybrid x 1
Elepaio x 1
Fontenesii Clump of 6
Gaolagonensis x 7
Hawaiian Eye x 1
Jack's Giant x 3
Mammoth x 16
Mojito x 1
Pink China x 1
Remusatia ( not a collie, but very similar) 2 trays (about 20 plants)
A few pics, I'll take some more over the next few days
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: What Colocasia are you growing ?
Nice pics Dave.
Which ones from that list of your collection would you say are most suitable for overwintering in-situ?
I'm trying C.Gaolioganensis this year, and have been impressed with it's growth.
Which ones from that list of your collection would you say are most suitable for overwintering in-situ?
I'm trying C.Gaolioganensis this year, and have been impressed with it's growth.
- Dave Brown
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Re: What Colocasia are you growing ?
gaolagongensis just gets on with it, but seem to prefer shade.
Pink China is new for me, but SteveW says it is as hardy as gaolagonensis for him.
Mammoth has come back every year since planted survivng winters 2008/9 and 2009/10
Pink China is new for me, but SteveW says it is as hardy as gaolagonensis for him.
Mammoth has come back every year since planted survivng winters 2008/9 and 2009/10
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: What Colocasia are you growing ?
I've got growing Burgundy Stem (for the last two seasons) - I'm gonna try and keep it going his winter to try and see if I can get near the dizzying hieghts of the one you achieved - Colocasia Escualenta - Culm purchased from Hymalayan Gardens which grew into one of my favourite plants this summer - majestic shield like leaves at the front of the border!
Great pics Dave - keep them coming - probably my favourite plant alongside alocasias - I'm gonna be studying hard your tips on overwintering!
Great pics Dave - keep them coming - probably my favourite plant alongside alocasias - I'm gonna be studying hard your tips on overwintering!
- Dave Brown
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Re: What Colocasia are you growing ? List them here
Hi Dale, yes Burgundy stem can get quite large when fed and watered well. Here was mine from 31st October 2005 with the kids.
Aidan was over 6 feet at that time.
It was in a 15in (37.5cm) tub, in a tray of water. kept in the warmest part of the garden and moved into shelter on cold autumn nights. Was watered daily with 30C water to help keep soil temps ups, and fed dilute (half strength) Miracle-gro every other day.
All Colocasia seem to grow better in the autumn, rather than the summer for me, getting the largest leaves in October. I think it is the higher humidity that gives them a boost. In summer the humidity is too low for good growth.
Here is Jack's Giant back in July.... must get a more up to date pic Here Black Magic in July in the water feature, baked in the conservatory. Unfortunately Colocasia Black Magic, does the Colocasia family no favours at all It is the most fussy, needs higher heat, but is the most popular. It is bought by the 1000, and then people dismiss Colocasia as not growable in the UK.... Definately no so. It is like wanting palms, trying to grow a Coconut, then saying palms won't grow here
To me a far, far, better Black Colocasia is Black Beauty, which is a sport of Illustris.
Aidan was over 6 feet at that time.
It was in a 15in (37.5cm) tub, in a tray of water. kept in the warmest part of the garden and moved into shelter on cold autumn nights. Was watered daily with 30C water to help keep soil temps ups, and fed dilute (half strength) Miracle-gro every other day.
All Colocasia seem to grow better in the autumn, rather than the summer for me, getting the largest leaves in October. I think it is the higher humidity that gives them a boost. In summer the humidity is too low for good growth.
Here is Jack's Giant back in July.... must get a more up to date pic Here Black Magic in July in the water feature, baked in the conservatory. Unfortunately Colocasia Black Magic, does the Colocasia family no favours at all It is the most fussy, needs higher heat, but is the most popular. It is bought by the 1000, and then people dismiss Colocasia as not growable in the UK.... Definately no so. It is like wanting palms, trying to grow a Coconut, then saying palms won't grow here
To me a far, far, better Black Colocasia is Black Beauty, which is a sport of Illustris.
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: What Colocasia are you growing ? List them here
Got quite a few to listso here goes
gaoligonensis
formosana
pink china
gigantea
gigantea giant Thai strain
burgundy stem
mojito
elepaio
Hilo beauty
mammoth(wilco)
mammoth(focus)
unknown,but probably the same as the focusmammoth
Did have a lot more before last winter,but they got wiped out
I'm pretty sure mojito and elepaio won't stand a chance out in the greenhouse this year so they may be coming indoors if I can find somewhere for them to go
gaoligonensis
formosana
pink china
gigantea
gigantea giant Thai strain
burgundy stem
mojito
elepaio
Hilo beauty
mammoth(wilco)
mammoth(focus)
unknown,but probably the same as the focusmammoth
Did have a lot more before last winter,but they got wiped out
I'm pretty sure mojito and elepaio won't stand a chance out in the greenhouse this year so they may be coming indoors if I can find somewhere for them to go
- Dave Brown
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- Posts: 19742
- Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:17 am
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Re: What Colocasia are you growing ? List them here
Great healthy looking Collies Jon Boy
Colocasia esculenta 'Elepaio' is named after the rare Hawaiian flycatcher bird. This very rare, 30" tall elephant ear is one of the classic old Hawaiian cultivars. Colocasia 'Elepaio' makes a small, 3' tall clump of green foliage that is heavily spotted with white paint-like flecks. This unstable chimeral variegation pattern often results in some leaves that are half green and half white. This is a true curiosity and what we call a "fun" plant for the garden. (Hardiness Zone 8a-10)
The important bit is the hardiness zone is much higher than most Collies, so the Hawaiian background may play a part.
My Elepaio today On the contrary Mojito is a sport of Burgundy Stem so may be more hardy. Plant Delights says
Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' PPAF (pronounced Mo-he-toe) is a sport of Colocasia 'Burgundy Stem' via Colocasia 'Black Marble', discovered at Florida's Agristarts. Named after the popular Cuban mixed drink, the amazing leaves are medium green with dark purple flecks throughout ... just too cool! Since this clone has less vigor than many others, you can expect the clump to only reach 3', less in drier sites. Although winter-hardy in Zone 7b, the central tuber will often die in the low teens F, so to get larger-sized plants, mulch well in winter to save the central tuber. (Hardiness Zone 7b-10)
Colocsasia Mammoth was quite late coming back after the bad winter, but is catching up a bit now. Colocasia Jack's Giant Colocasia Fontanesii Anyone interested in Colocasia might be interested in this article by the Plant Delights people
The Elepaio has this said by Plant DelightsSteveW wrote: I'm pretty sure mojito and elepaio won't stand a chance out in the greenhouse this year so they may be coming indoors if I can find somewhere for them to go
Colocasia esculenta 'Elepaio' is named after the rare Hawaiian flycatcher bird. This very rare, 30" tall elephant ear is one of the classic old Hawaiian cultivars. Colocasia 'Elepaio' makes a small, 3' tall clump of green foliage that is heavily spotted with white paint-like flecks. This unstable chimeral variegation pattern often results in some leaves that are half green and half white. This is a true curiosity and what we call a "fun" plant for the garden. (Hardiness Zone 8a-10)
The important bit is the hardiness zone is much higher than most Collies, so the Hawaiian background may play a part.
My Elepaio today On the contrary Mojito is a sport of Burgundy Stem so may be more hardy. Plant Delights says
Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' PPAF (pronounced Mo-he-toe) is a sport of Colocasia 'Burgundy Stem' via Colocasia 'Black Marble', discovered at Florida's Agristarts. Named after the popular Cuban mixed drink, the amazing leaves are medium green with dark purple flecks throughout ... just too cool! Since this clone has less vigor than many others, you can expect the clump to only reach 3', less in drier sites. Although winter-hardy in Zone 7b, the central tuber will often die in the low teens F, so to get larger-sized plants, mulch well in winter to save the central tuber. (Hardiness Zone 7b-10)
Colocsasia Mammoth was quite late coming back after the bad winter, but is catching up a bit now. Colocasia Jack's Giant Colocasia Fontanesii Anyone interested in Colocasia might be interested in this article by the Plant Delights people
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: What Colocasia are you growing ? List them here
Some great pictures Dave i love these plants the colours are mad you have a great collection.
Re: What Colocasia are you growing ? List them here
Black Magic, I got it at Akamba as a seedling, its really done well it has leaves about 30cm long and 20cm wide, it grown quite well really, even with our average summer.
Mine actually has loads of pups now, I guess you leave them to grow as part of the main plant? Its going to be tricky getting it through the winter so it might just have to start again next year from the roots!
Mine actually has loads of pups now, I guess you leave them to grow as part of the main plant? Its going to be tricky getting it through the winter so it might just have to start again next year from the roots!
Re: What Colocasia are you growing ? List them here
Dave,Dave Brown wrote:I wandered around the garden and conservatory last weekend, and took a note of all the collies I have and the numbers. I thought I had lost loads last winter but most came back. and those I did actually lose I have replaced.
Let's compare what we are growing and how you think they have done in 2010
Colocasia
Black Beauty clump of 10
Black Magic clump of 13
Burgundy Stem x 1
Dark Stem Hybrid x 1
Elepaio x 1
Fontenesii Clump of 6
Gaolagonensis x 7
Hawaiian Eye x 1
Jack's Giant x 3
Mammoth x 16
Mojito x 1
Pink China x 1
Remusatia ( not a collie, but very similar) 2 trays (about 20 plants)
A few pics, I'll take some more over the next few days
You get a very nice collection of them! About better growth in autumn due to humdity, I gues it has to do with the fact that in the wild you always see them at wet or at least permanent moist places. Colocasia esculenta often grows in ditches, allong paddyfields and along streams. Others grow on places with seepage. You never see them on dry soils.
Bassically they are bogplants of nutriend rich habitads! Some in full sun, others grow under trees in partial shade.
Alexander
- Dave Brown
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- Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:17 am
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Re: What Colocasia are you growing ? List them here
Alexander,
My collies are kept wet all summer, but don't grow to the same size as in autumn.
My theory..... not proven
Could be humidity levels higher, or something about day length, all coupled with temperature. These are tropical plants and maybe prefer an equal day/night (1/2, 1/2), rather than the 2/3, 1/3 of June
Even when I kept collies going overwinter, they get smaller as light levels/temps fall over winter, but don't regain the size again until late summer/autumn, even from a larger rhizome
3 factors that may affect growth are Temp/Day length, light level/Humidity
Winter = cold/short day, low light/humid = small leaf, slow growth
Spring = cool/equal day, medium light/dry = medium leaf, medium growth
Summer = warm/long day, bright light/dry = medium leaf, fast growth
Autumn = warmish/equal day, medium light/humid= large leaf, medium growth
My conclusion from that would be...
Temp = growth rate.
light level = leaf size (too dark/too light =equals smaller)
humidity = plant happiness/health
The problem we have at this latitude is that we need exposure to sun to get the warmth in spring/early summer, this result in growth but only medium sized leaves. However, we manage to get warmth with lower light levels in late summer autumn, this gives medium growth and larger leaves.
My collies are kept wet all summer, but don't grow to the same size as in autumn.
My theory..... not proven
Could be humidity levels higher, or something about day length, all coupled with temperature. These are tropical plants and maybe prefer an equal day/night (1/2, 1/2), rather than the 2/3, 1/3 of June
Even when I kept collies going overwinter, they get smaller as light levels/temps fall over winter, but don't regain the size again until late summer/autumn, even from a larger rhizome
3 factors that may affect growth are Temp/Day length, light level/Humidity
Winter = cold/short day, low light/humid = small leaf, slow growth
Spring = cool/equal day, medium light/dry = medium leaf, medium growth
Summer = warm/long day, bright light/dry = medium leaf, fast growth
Autumn = warmish/equal day, medium light/humid= large leaf, medium growth
My conclusion from that would be...
Temp = growth rate.
light level = leaf size (too dark/too light =equals smaller)
humidity = plant happiness/health
The problem we have at this latitude is that we need exposure to sun to get the warmth in spring/early summer, this result in growth but only medium sized leaves. However, we manage to get warmth with lower light levels in late summer autumn, this gives medium growth and larger leaves.
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
- Yorkshire Kris
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Re: What Colocasia are you growing ? List them here
I like the Theory Dave.
I have
Colocasia (Normal)
Black Beauty clump
Black Magic
Burgundy Stem 5 or 6 good sized plants. One about 5ft tall
Dark Stem Hybrid is this actually the same as the above?
Fontenesii Clump x 2
Jack's Giant 5 or 6 big plants
Mojito 1 clump
Pink China 1 clump
Ruffles 1
gigantea (funny pale green colour is this normal??)
Had lots of Wilkos mammouth but tried to over winter them dry and they all rotted a couple of years ago! Lean't my lesson and had overwintered them in the ground the year before they rotted so would do the same if I could ever get hold of any more.
I will keep all my collies growing over winter in my green house and try to keep the damn red spider mites in check.
Some pics to follow this week...
I have
Colocasia (Normal)
Black Beauty clump
Black Magic
Burgundy Stem 5 or 6 good sized plants. One about 5ft tall
Dark Stem Hybrid is this actually the same as the above?
Fontenesii Clump x 2
Jack's Giant 5 or 6 big plants
Mojito 1 clump
Pink China 1 clump
Ruffles 1
gigantea (funny pale green colour is this normal??)
Had lots of Wilkos mammouth but tried to over winter them dry and they all rotted a couple of years ago! Lean't my lesson and had overwintered them in the ground the year before they rotted so would do the same if I could ever get hold of any more.
I will keep all my collies growing over winter in my green house and try to keep the damn red spider mites in check.
Some pics to follow this week...
Re: What Colocasia are you growing ? List them here
Pretty much the same list here, as Steve lives a few miles from me and we are always swapping spare plants.SteveW wrote:Got quite a few to listso here goes
gaoligonensis
formosana
pink china
gigantea
gigantea giant Thai strain
burgundy stem
mojito
elepaio
Hilo beauty
mammoth(wilco)
mammoth(focus)
unknown,but probably the same as the focusmammoth
Did have a lot more before last winter,but they got wiped out
I'm pretty sure mojito and elepaio won't stand a chance out in the greenhouse this year so they may be coming indoors if I can find somewhere for them to go
(and after today I think there are a few more on the list as we both ended up spending money we didn't have on some new special ones we spotted Just got to keep them alive through the winter now....)