The Latest Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Giant Taro

Giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos) is a herbaceous plant mainly distributed in southern China and Southeast Asia. Although it is a herbaceous plant, its roots are very thick and sturdy, and it can reach a maximum height of 3 m, taller than most herbaceous plants, so it can be used as a large foliage plant to decorate relatively large courtyards or gardens. Below, Qinnong.com introduces the cultivation methods and precautions for giant taro.

I. Growth Habits of Giant Taro

Giant taro is a relatively easy plant to keep alive. It likes a high-temperature, high-humidity growing environment and is fairly shade-tolerant. During cultivation, avoid direct strong light. With proper cultivation, giant taro will grow very tall, so if you choose to grow it in a pot, you need to prepare a large pot or a wooden barrel. Giant taro is a tropical plant and, once it grows, it looks very spectacular with a rather tropical flair. Below, let us take a specific look at the cultivation methods for giant taro.

II. Cultivation Methods for Giant Taro

1. Temperature

Giant taro prefers a relatively warm growing environment, usually with a temperature above 20°C being suitable. If the temperature is too low, it easily enters a dormant state and stops growing, which affects its growth and development. The safe overwintering temperature in winter must not be lower than 8°C, so it is usually necessary to move giant taro indoors in winter, or build a plastic greenhouse for it to create a warm environment; otherwise, giant taro may very likely freeze to death in winter.

2. Fertilizer and Water

Summer and autumn each year are the main growing seasons for giant taro. At this time, apply additional fertilizer and increase the amount of watering. Giant taro is a plant that fairly likes fertilizer; during the growing season, it can be fertilized once a week, and some nitrogen fertilizer can be added to the fertilizer, which helps the leaves grow larger. When giant taro lacks fertilizer, its leaves grow small and yellow, which is not good for ornamental value. At the same time, giant taro is also a plant that likes water; especially during the growing period, it must never be allowed to lack water. Usually, spray water on the leaves and around them more often to increase humidity, and keep the soil on the wet side rather than dry. A dry environment is very unfavorable for the growth of giant taro.

3. Sunlight

In summer and autumn, provide giant taro with appropriate shading, blocking 50%-70% of the sunlight. Giant taro is fairly shade-tolerant, and in a semi-shaded environment with proper water and fertilizer, it grows best. However, if giant taro does not receive light for a long time, its leaves will grow relatively small, the internodes will stretch very long, and the leaves will turn yellow due to lack of chlorophyll.

III. Precautions for Cultivating Giant Taro

Because giant taro likes a warm and humid growing environment, and winter outdoors is dry and cold, it is very unsuitable for the growth of giant taro. Therefore, when cultivating it, we basically always move giant taro indoors in winter. But in fact, winter also has certain benefits for the growth of giant taro. Because winter sunlight is soft, it is a good time for giant taro to bask in the sun. Keeping giant taro in light for about 4 hours a day can help it develop better in form. However, in winter giant taro will be in a dormant period, so do not fertilize it at this time.

The above are the cultivation methods and precautions for giant taro introduced by Qinnong.com. Because giant taro itself is toxic, it usually is not prone to pests and diseases and is fairly suited to extensive management. In addition, giant taro can also absorb dust and purify the air, so its uses are very wide.