Re: [Aroid-l] Colocasia gigantea hardiness?

From: "David S." <maui4me at charter.net> on 2004.11.26 at 17:40:58(12426) I have from what all indications are C. gigantea growing outdoors here in NE Tennessee, right on the Virginia state line. I've had it for over ten years and generally just mulch it heavily with leaves. It seems to do just fine and has made it through a couple of winters without mulch, although it's very slow to come up and not as large the following year. Mine have in years past taken on an almost fountain growth habit, with the fairly large leaves forming a cupped shape and extending out horizontally. They are interesting when it rains and they fill up and then dump the water, sort of like one of those bamboo fountains. They have flowered in the years they've gotten big, with multiple spathes forming in a fan shape. David Sizemore +More Kingsport, TN (Zone 6a) ----- Original Message ----- To: aroid-l@gizmoworks.com Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 1:55 PM Subject: [Aroid-l] Colocasia gigantea hardiness? This seems to be a VERY hardy plant for me, and I would expect it to be the most hardy of the Colocasia? I usually leave mine in the ground during the winter but always dig up a few bulbs just in case. Last year I accidentally left a bulb uncovered and exposed in one of the beds and didnt notice it until spring. Suprisingly, along with all of the others that normally come back like gangbusters...it survived. Our lowest temp recorded at my house last winter was 20F. While it was a relatively dry and mild winter, it still suprised me that the bulb took ice, snow and numerous deep freezes and still managed to stay alive. I am in the Upstate area of South Carolina, borderline 7b-8a, but would expect this plant to be hardy in much colder regions, possibly 6a? Thanks, happy holidays, Michael Mattlage _______________________________________________ Aroid-l mailing list Aroid-l@gizmoworks.com http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l

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