Story of Day :
Contents
The Complete Guide to Taro Plant Care Tips
Gardening is a fascinating hobby, and whether you’re an avid gardener or just starting out, there’s always something new to learn. One plant that has gained popularity in recent years is the taro plant. This tropical herbaceous perennial belongs to the Araceae family and is known for its large heart-shaped leaves and edible roots. Here’s everything you need to know about growing taro plants.
What Is a Taro Plant?
Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a flowering plant native to Southeast Asia and India but widely grown across the world today. It grows up to four feet tall with large green or purple leaves that can reach up to two feet long. The taro root, also known as corms, are underground stems used for cooking in many cultures worldwide.
How To Grow Taro Plants
If you live in a mild climate with plenty of rainfalls like Hawaii or Florida, then growing taro plants should be easy for you since they thrive best in warm regions with high humidity levels between 70-90%. Here are some steps on how to grow your own:
- Choose an area that receives partial sun exposure throughout the day.
- Make sure your soil drains well since these plants prefer moist soil conditions but don’t like standing water around their roots.
- Add compost or manure into your garden bed before planting because the taro plant loves nutrient-rich soil conditions.
- Plant each corm horizontally at least six inches deep into the ground during spring when temperatures stay above 65°F regularly.
- Add mulch around each stem after planting it so that it retains moisture levels and provides insulation against extreme temperatures.
- Water your taro plant regularly to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so be careful not to let it stand in water for long periods of time
- Fertilize the plant with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season (summer) and stop fertilizing when it starts dying back in autumn.
Taro Plant Care Tips
If you want your taro plants to thrive throughout their lifecycle, there are some care tips you need to follow:
- Prune off any yellowing or damaged leaves regularly. This helps promote new growth and prevents diseases from spreading.
- Mulch around each stem after planting it so that it retains moisture levels and provides insulation against extreme temperatures.
- The best way I recommend is using organic mulches such as straw, bark chips or grass clippings since they provide organic matter which is essential for soil fertility improvement unlike synthetic ones like rocks or pebbles that do almost nothing toward maintaining soil health except draining excess water from the roots system.
- Taro plants grown in containers should be repotted every spring into a larger container since they outgrow their pots quickly especially if well-fed.
- Aphids are common pests that attack taro plants by sucking sap from its leaves leading them to turn yellowish-green then curl with black mold on their undersides.
To control them gently wash aphids off with a stream of water or apply neem oil-based pesticides several times weekly until they disappear - If you’re planning on harvesting your taro plant, wait until the leaves start to yellow and die off. This is a sign that the corms are ready for harvesting. Dig them out with a garden fork or trowel and store them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use them.
The new pot should have at least an inch wider diameter than the previous one.
Conclusion
Taro plants are an excellent addition to any garden due to their beautiful foliage and edible roots. With proper care, these tropical plants can grow up to 4 feet tall and produce delicious corms that can be used for cooking various dishes. Remember always to check your soil moisture levels regularly since these plants love moist soils but don’t tolerate waterlogging/standing water around their roots
Follow the planting tips discussed above, provide enough sunlight & humidity level consistently throughout its growth cycle plus also take note of its care guideline mentioned above such as regular pruning, fertilizing & pest control measures
With all these factors considered well before planting taro plant in your garden; you’ll enjoy healthy yields of this nutritious food in no time!
