The Secret To Growing Taro in a Cold Climate | The Barefooted Gardener

[@kainanilittlejohn4317]

in Hawaiʻi we eat the whole thing, its actually in our creation story and is where we kānaka come from. Hāloa!

[@bonsummers2657]

You eat the leaves and stalks too?

[@MissPeachCobbler]

Excellent ❤ I just discovered malanga and taro root as food. I start everyone I can

[@safuwanfauzi5014]

Funny is Malaysia and Indonesia have a Taro culture to, Rice, Taro and Sago are part of Indonesia-Malaysia culture, Indonesian settler also bring rice, chicken and Taro to Madagascar. the Malay-Indonesian word for Taro is Talas is same root like Taro, Kale, Kalo, Talo, Tale, and others species we called "Keladi" borrowed to English as 'Caladium", just like Pandanus, Mango, Paddy, Rambutan, Durian, Orangutan, Pangolin etc are come from Malays word. just like Taro is Hawaiian or Polynesian word rigth?

[@KapaaRoots]

​@bonsummers2657 Yes we eat the leaves.

[@pongop]

@@safuwanfauzi5014 Terima Kasih!

[@5060northernmama]

The taro apparently is lower glycemic than rice or potato. Need to really process the taro root part though (long cooking), and the leaves can be used as wraps. Very much desired edibles in Hawaii apparently.

[@LG-nh4bs]

I plant them because they remind me of my grandma. She used to cook them with chickens.

[@Monlnand]

You really dedicated to these plants and garden. I love your plants. They are awesome.

[@cbryce9243]

I am growing three edible taro that I bought from the produce department of an Asian grocers. They're in a plastic tub and when the weather gets warmer, I will put them outside. I hope they do well because taro is very delicious. Thank you for sharing how to grow them. I'm still not sure how well they'd do here in the Pacific Northwest so I will put them in different places.

[@TBHNotGonnaLie]

Mmmmm Taro with coconut cream and onions..yum

[@jacobeksor6088]

Toros plants look so beautiful especially when the rain , I plant one in container it’s beautiful to looks.

[@richcaranante2661]

Thanks for posting. I have the same attraction to banana plants and elephant ears. Got a few of them myself. Btw Your garden is awesome.

[@Aileensjournal]

Love elepant ears they are Beautiful

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

They are beautiful! I can’t imagine a garden without them!

[@northeasthardytropicals541]

Nice video. These make a big statement in any landscape.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Thanks! They definitely do make quite an impact in the landscape.

[@JamesCouch777]

👍👍 excellent informative video. I just got my first elephant ears planted and this helps.

[@sandrakendrick176]

I have my Taro and Elephant Ear growing directly in my pond. They love it and do very well.

[@Esperalzi-Esfaral]

3:51. Sweet potato. Leaves edible, delicious. I cook them often in Malaysia.

[@alexceja1]

Cool video man! Nice lookin plants👍

[@AnilSingh-rn3kx]

Nice yes we also plant it here in Trinidad.

[@geoffhorvath3261]

Colocasia Esculenta Pink China will easily grow hardy in zone 6. Mine get no winter protection here in ohio and they come back every year. Nearly invasive. Very prolific.

[@robertjones2811]

I was shocked to find the bulbs of a grocery store taro survived Indiana winters.

[@victorjimenez6098]

Very nice info about this plants, i like it. Thanks for share.

[@wiwinarman3830]

So beautiful, Any tips for winterizing taro? Big Appreciate ❤

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Hi Wiwin, Thank you! It depends where you live, if it’s warm enough & the ground doesn’t freeze solid, you can leave them in the ground. Otherwise, I’d recommend digging them up after frost kills the leaves & keep them dry & cool.

[@jiewang5175]

Very nice 👍 I bought 4 taros in Asia shop and they are growing.

[@Esperalzi-Esfaral]

In Malaysia we eat both the stems/stalks and tubers, but mostly we eat stems. I just cooked yesterday taro stem soup, cooked in sweet sour hot chili soup. Unfortunately, I am never fortunate when growing taro, my taro never gets fat, I need them to grow fat stems so I can harvest to eat.

[@Kebunbandar]

Maybe you forgot to fertilize your taro.

[@Esperalzi-Esfaral]

@@Kebunbandar Maybe.Perhaps I need to add fertilizers.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Make sure there is enough organic matter (compost or old manure) to make the fertilizer more effective.

[@LeahPurtee]

Sometimes it has to do with your water. Make sure not to use a treated water (like city water). I have plenty taro growing wild all over my place now because I kinda neglected them. 🙃

[@Esperalzi-Esfaral]

@@TheBarefootedGardener Tqvm for suggestion. I still grow taro albeit very skinny stems. I did try adding water from cleaning fish, in fact I buried some fish inside the soil, getting better. Though skinny, I still have enough harvest to have a pot of delicious taro stem chili sour soup.

[@geoffhorvath3261]

Taro is the cheapest elephant ear you can get. Taro tubers are usually a dollar a pound at asian grocery stores. I grow them every year. Plant one and you'll dig up 20 bulbs in fall.

[@elnegro8654]

Live Earthworms are super good for them too. Cuba soil is greater than here in the states now so they grow better and bigger. Also mixing sand with soil is also a great technique that will help grow faster instead of waiting a full year to pull back out

[@JeeJeanVittoVlogs]

Awesome channel and great ideas and tips. I’ve subscribed. Thank you.😊👍

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Thanks Christopher! I appreciate the sub :)

[@JeeJeanVittoVlogs]

@The Barefooted Gardener : visit me sometimes if you are not busy.thank you so much.

[@sirenakoroly9241]

It’s so beautiful!!!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻thanks for your amazing work!!!!!

[@janetang5327]

The ele paio taro you can replant after harvesting, taro can be replanted after havesting.

[@Comeoffitman]

Does that off the elephants ear collect enough water to sustain that the banana one towards the window off that the clumping variety on it?

[@exo4everfanboythao175]

They also sell green taro to eat. Loke thd root and the stem

[@TropicalJungleIreland]

Hi. Do you let your runners develop in the soil or cut away from the mother plant and pot up as cuttings.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Hello, I’ve done both, especially with the cold hardy ones, but usually I leave them in the ground.

[@DG123z]

I love you man.. but the title says "the secret to growing taro in cold climates" and this is a video mostly about you different varieties of taro..

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

I think I discussed overwintering later in the video, it’s an older video so if there’s enough interest, I can remake it.

[@KapaaRoots]

please do​@@TheBarefootedGardener

[@myhomerumahku2485]

Thank you for sharing

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

You’re welcome!

[@chrisshirley4877]

I've newly discovered your channel, and I'm glad I did. You seem very well informed, particularly about growing in cooler zones. As much as I enjoy your instructional videos, I wish you operated in my zone (8b) in Texas. Of course I still get a lot of useable info from you even though your specialty is in how to garden in colder zones. I am a koi fanatic also, and I am extremely impressed that you are successfully managing such a small pond with such a large ratio of fish per gallon. You have to know your stuff to do that. Kudos, and I look forward to your next video. Keep up the good work.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Thanks Chris! Yes, you can modify the techniques I use but for a warmer zone, the other consideration is if you’re in the humid or dry part of Texas (as I understand it that’s how Texas is divided) Yes, I plan on doing a video next season on how to carefully overstock a pond. Let me know if you have questions, I’ll do my best to answer. :)

[@chrisshirley4877]

@@TheBarefootedGardener Thank you for your response. I just found it today even though you sent it last month. I'm excited about your upcoming video about safely overstocking a koi pond. I also appreciate you liking my comment. Thanks for being awesome.

[@MetalCreations1]

I have hundreds of these around my koi pond... I have so many I have to cut them down and throw them over my fence they grow uncontrollably stems reaching 6 foot high leaves 2 foot wide and 3 foot long… They give my pond a lot of shade during Midsummer hot days… But I have one issue I seem to be allergic to them if I get the juice on my skin my hands and arms will itch and burn! And what I’m reading here is that you can eat them?

[@fruitcheese333]

You can eat Colocasia esculenta. Not all of the other kinds. "Most edible taro has irritating, needle-like crystals (oxalic acid), and must be cooked to dissolve it. Undercooked taro root and taro leaves can cause extremely unpleasant itching..."

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Hi Danny, That’s awesome! Sounds like they love where they’re growing! yes, when properly cooked, some taro can be eaten... but if you’re allergic then definitely don’t try. Personally I don’t get a rash from the sap. Calcium oxalate crystals are no joke. Maybe wearing gloves and such will help.

[@anisahafesji4388]

Has it got green stem? They itchy one dark stem r good

[@jorgegalvan4190]

thanks for your work

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@solosheba5pointssquare]

Help help my elephant ears are growing so huge and beautiful in the original black pot I bought it in HOWEVER! What should I do for the winter or should I cut it out of the original pot or will it continue to grow outside or in garage to keep it growing...help me

[@mauricemagiq]

I just recently started growing knees in the last couple of years when trying to grow them inside I was having that leggy problem I think I was watering too much, And once I planted them outside They grew short stemmed, I was once told the bigger the bulb the bigger the plant but I'm not sure if that's true or not... I am also in the 716 area Elmwood Village, But thanks for the tips learned a lot!

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

So glad to help, especially another Western New Yorker!

[@EddyFeyen]

Great video man thanks for the info

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed!

[@maple494]

What about Colocasia 'Pink China'? I've heard it's hardy to zone 6b and even hardier if you mulch it

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Yes, Colocasia ‘Pink China’ is very hardy. I’ve had them in zone 6a for years. Just don’t get them from Brian’s botanicals because they are infected with mosaic virus.

[@chefmuskancookingvlog5505]

Very nice👍👍

[@skahashmi]

At 4:02 what other plan do you have in container which is like dark in colour?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

That’s a Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’)

[@karenreyes840]

i buy yautia and ñame from the supermarket and i put it in the soil bags the look very similiar but you can eat it.

[@maliamaynard7482]

How can you tell which varieties are edible?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

By looking at the plant yes and no - technically they’re all edible when cooked properly. But if you are not in Hawaii or some other area where taro is grown, the edible varieties are kinda hard to come by, in my opinion.

[@sweetypotato3068]

What variety of sweet potato is at 4:30

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

I think it’s Blackie, but I don’t remember exactly.

[@kaxiaz]

You talk about varieties but sometimes you should say Genus and other times species...its important for you to update your bothanics knowledge. Loved your colection and hope one day we can exchange some...keep up the great work

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Thanks for the suggestion, this video was focused on Colocasia, I agree, I’m big mentioning Latin names and cultivars. I’m glad you liked it; that’d be cool to exchange some!

[@kaxiaz]

@@TheBarefootedGardener its hard to learn this part but i think its important to understand bothanics you can give big help with that.

[@kaxiaz]

@@TheBarefootedGardener Would you like to exchange xanthosoma violaceum for the milky way or the blue hawaii?

[@iSeenUB4]

I'm from Mauritius, my family likes to eat the Roots with Butter. And we use the leaves to make stews for Rotis/Faratas. Now Im in Vancouver and I'm trying to grow one. Have you tried putting Googley Eyes on the leaves when it collected rain? 😬

[@shirleyqueen2332]

👌👍♥️🇺🇸🦅🇲🇺🦤

[@MiscellaneousMichelle]

Absolutely neem oil is a must have when gardenind

[@Castonorama]

Are these the same as edoe???

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

The root looks different on these than with edoe, if memory serves. These Colocasia have a big bulb whereas I think edoe is a bunch of little corms “fused together.” I could be wrong. The growing principles should remain the same though.

[@valiumk.9489]

Elephant ears used to be really popular in Greece in the 70's or something, I see them in many balconies and yards, but I couldn't find any of them in the local nurseries... until TODAY!! Super excited, hopefully it'll grow happily in a big pot in my veranda. Luckily, I live in a zone 9-9a, so they don't mind our mild(ish) winters (and it seems as if we're getting warmer winters every year). I only wish I could find more awesome varieties, such as yours, though... keep up the great videos and plants!! Greetings from Athens!! ^_^

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Thank you! They’ll do great in your area, although if Greece is more arid (I think) you may want to plant an Alocasia, they can take a little drier conditions, unless you have a pond or water feature. The winters do seem to be getting warmer. Yeah I have a few videos planned, but since I work at a nursery and late spring in zone 6 is super busy. If you have a suggestion for a video, let me know!

[@valiumk.9489]

The Barefooted Gardener greek summers are indeed really really dry, although this month we got some...tropical weather. Hot, but cloudy and quite humid, with short, intense rain showers. I think what I got is an alocasia macrorrhizos (useless info: macrorrhizos means long rooted in greek), which I think is acclimated to our weather. As for suggestions, I just binge watch any plant videos atm, so anything will be great really. :D

[@LG-nh4bs]

How long did it take you to grow yours that big?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

One summer.

[@mayaagualuna7759]

Are all your varieties dry land varieties?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

I was listening to a video from the late great Jerry Konanui, and he said that most taro varieties don’t really care… That said, most all of them are dryland varieties. The ones that seem to like the water most and really need that wetland environment are the invasive and/ or aggressive ones - that I’ve seen anyway.

[@jenniethompson3185]

I live in zone 7 and leave them in the ground. They do fine

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

jennie thompson I agree that Colocasia can grow in zone 7, I think one could probably grow almost anything in zone 7. Certain Colocasia like ‘Thailand Giant’ or ‘Coffee Cups’ among others say zone 8 on the tag, and given that I live in zone 6, I can’t confirm or deny that. Good point!

[@jenniethompson3185]

The Barefooted Gardner Did you know they are edible, stalks as well as leaves. I may try that.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Yes, I’ve heard that, but you have to prepare them right; raw colocasia has a crystalline structure which can cause kidney stones.

[@sazji]

@@TheBarefootedGardener Some of the wild types have too much of the calcium oxalate crystals that irrítate the mouth and throat, and no amount of cooking will get rid of them. So if you want to eat them, it’s best to choose a specifically edible type.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Interesting. Good to know!

[@menopassini9348]

I buy Elephant ear roots at the Mexican Food store, Mexican people eat them too. Much cheaper then Home Depot.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Great tip! I didn’t know that!

[@pinayjunglehome4737]

I have a lot these kind of plant here in my backyard.during summer the leaves are died aslo I live here in Las vegas so its really hot which they dont mind the heat as long as the soil is moist and in the shady area

[@ashfaq2004]

Hey Clark ! I bought a Taro root from grocery store, its about 2ft and 10lbs. Do you think this size corm would give me huge taro plant with super big leaves ?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Hi Ash, Probably they will get big. I think maybe dividing it will make odds of getting big better. You could also use it as a ground cover/ mass planting.

[@robertjones2811]

Taro will survive winter in the ground in Indiana and come back in the spring.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

That’s amazing!!

[@MrCrees22]

Hi. Great video. I'm venturing into growing Colocasia for the first time this year. I've got a couple on order and some taro bulbs bought from the local Asian grocery store that I'm going to grow. Super excited! Would you say that the growth rate is relative to the size of the pots they are grown in or is it more a case of how mature they are and how much they are fed and watered? Thanks

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Thank you! They’re such amazing plants! Yes and no, growth rate and size is eventually constrained by the container, so the bigger the pot, the better. However yeah, if you are constantly feeding and watering elephant ears, they can grow in smaller pots. The leaves will get smaller when the plant is extremely root bound. Personally I think they do best in the ground, with lots of compost mixed in, and in water features. I want to warn you about Brian’s Botanicals; they have a bunch of plants carrying dasheen mosaic virus, and it has rendered my garden unable to grow aroids (the whole botanical family) for 50 years, because this virus can lay dormant for that long! Truly awful. It came from a ‘Pink China’ and has spread to all of my plants, including philodendron ‘Selloum’ and probably some of the monstera. I’m working on a video about identifying it.

[@crees22]

@@TheBarefootedGardener ahh thanks for your thorough response. I've not come across that disease, doesn't sound good at all. All mine will be grown in pots I feel as we are extremely limited on bedding space. Hopefully that will help with keeping the virus away from them.. Feels like a million years away this Colocasia growing what with all the snow here today! Roll on spring.

[@michellerigsby7240]

How do you use the been oil, I found a green spider on my elephant ear and it has a white patch looking area on one leaf? I bought neem oil but the bottle doesn’t explain wether I just spray it or to wipe the leaves down with it!

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Hey Michelle, Spray the neem oil on the top and bottom of the leaves and stems, douse the plant several times.

[@reginaldmccullough6110]

Where do you order your elephant ears from

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Hi Reginald, I look locally first. If I can’t find plants at my local greenhouses then I’ll order from online places like Brian’s Botanicals.

[@thetruthstrangerthanfictio954]

My question is, can you grow enough taro in a cold climate to consume like they do in the tropics? In Hawaii and the Philippines taro is used like a potato and I am curious about how they taste.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Great question. While they do have surprisingly good yields, I would not consider it a main crop. It has the potential to be one of many crops that can be harvested, but I would never rely upon only one crop; the late frosts damaged some peaches this year, can you imagine if that was the only crop that one relied on?? Also Taro is ready in autumn while potatoes are ready in early summer- normally. So that’s a good sequence of harvest.

[@thetruthstrangerthanfictio954]

@@TheBarefootedGardener okay that's perfect! I was not even thinking using it as a main crop or anything. I simply wanted to make certain Filipino and Hawaiian foods TBH. There is something called taro paste that people like Andrew Zimmern have tried on their travels. I am also curious about growing purple ube yam for exotic dessert.

[@NYMusic89563]

What is Dry shade ?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Hi LeeAnne, Good question. Dry shade usually occurs under the canopy of mature trees; I t’s usually most apparent during summer, and on sites that water drains quickly. It’s important to take into account with plant selection.

[@ambert.3792]

i found it!!!! and it seems id watched it too!! yay!

[@ambert.3792]

subscribed! i have a teacup, chicago, and violet stemmed varieties.

[@havfaith56]

Use dried leaves. Hit them with a lawn mower. Then use as mulch.

[@PLNTGMING]

Planning to grow non ornamental Colocasia esculenta

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Nice! Should work well for you! Even the edible varieties are a beautiful crop.

[@ksero1000]

I got a package of bulbs of Colocasia at my local Tractor Supply. It was simply labeled as “elephant ear”. I hate to think they would sell what cannot grow in my zone which is 6, but I just watched videos that say that they will not survive beyond zone 7. Do you think I have a chance?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

They probably intended them as “annuals” 🙄 if you plant them against the south wall of your house with heavy winter mulch, maybe. It also depends how cold it stays, zone 6 Ohio is warmer than zone 6 in NY.

[@ksero1000]

The Barefooted Gardener I am in SW PA and I’ll be thrilled even if it is just an annual. I’ll be totally satisfied if I can just enjoy them for ONE summer. 😃 I never heard of winter mulch. I’m new at planting. I don’t even know if compost is the same as fertilizer and the same as “plant food”. I’m so lost. Back to the colocasia bulb tho...It says I can dig it up and put it in garage over the winter. I just don’t know which zone the label meant that for tho. 😰

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

You’ll love them, elephant ears are amazing! So basically winter mulch is using mulch and the stems and leaves of the plant (biomass) and making a pile on top of the plant, after a heavy frost. That will insulate it, but then once it warms up spread the pile around. For plants that may be tender in your zone only. Compost is critical to success in gardening because it stabilizes the nutrients in soil, and allows plants to take in nutrients when they need to, among other things. Rather than miracle grow and other chemical fertilizer which essentially force feeds plants. Then plants need to take in more water. Insects see the world differently than us, and they then see a plant that has been “bloated” and will attack. That’s why I only use organic fertilizer and such. It prevents many problems. I’ve been studying nature for a long time. If you are observant and spend time in the garden, it’s amazing how much you can learn.

[@ksero1000]

The Barefooted Gardener wow! Thank you so much for that insight! I already bought the miracle grow but you saved me from ruining my plants with it though! I have looked in my local stores and cannot find a bag of “compost” I watched videos how to make it and it’s complicated and scary. It looks like the littlest mistake can mean life and death plus it takes longer than I have time for. There is an animal feed center down the hill. Since I’m off tomorrow, I’ll see if they have some or can tell me where I can get some. I have some hydrangeas coming in the mail that will probably be needing aggressive life support (based on this place reviews). I MUST get compost before they get here. If I can save some, that will be so rewarding! I can’t wait to learn more and more!!!!!

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

You’re welcome! While it can seem complicated to make compost, it’s kind of more an art than a science. In my opinion, try messing around and see what happens. To make it quickly, it needs to be turned regularly. I’ll link a video which may help. While chemical fertilizer (like miracle grow) is not good for plants long term, miracle grow does make “garden soil” which has a decent amount of organic matter in it. It will be very rewarding! Remember to water deeply and less frequently (a trickle 2x week for 15 minutes is better than spraying every day.) I’m glad I can help!

[@mraymoreno]

Can you grow Colocasia in pots inside over winter like Alocasia, or should you let them go dormant? I have a Coffee Cup that is still small, and was hoping to grow it inside over winter to help it with size for next spring.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Hey Martin, Yes you can. In the case of ‘Coffee Cups’ and other smaller colorful varieties (or Thailand Giant) have smaller corms and prefer to have short dormancy periods. Be sure to have neem oil on hand for pest control, and very bright light. They don’t like a ton of water during winter either. If they do end up going dormant, which is likely, don’t force them to keep growing; I’ve done that and it just makes the corm rot.

[@mraymoreno]

Thanks for the help!

[@visitor3756]

Beautiful garden

[@carmenortiz5294]

Colocasia esculenta is not just eaten in Hawaii, but also in most tropical places all around the planet. I eat mostly the tubers.

[@sazji]

I see giant taro roots at Asian grocery stores. Sometimes they have cut off the growing point though. If I plant one of those, will it readily grow a new bud? Love the ‘Coffee Cup’ variety!

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

They should regrow, in many cases taro has small buds on the side of the corm. Coffee cups is an awesome plant! Especially in a water feature!

[@sazji]

@@TheBarefootedGardener Thanks! I’ll definitely try it. I’ve grown the smaller ones and some made it through a particularly cold winter (for Seattle). But I always hesitated to try the big ones with chopped buds. They’re underground stems so it does stand to reason that they’d have dormant buds that could be activated. Then again Lotus should too, but if the growing point is broken off they won’t grow. :-(

[@robinsilvers362]

Beautiful gardens. What zone are you in?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

I live in zone 6, and take advantage of my microclimates!

[@sislertx]

Where do u find these.varieties...i just buy them in orient markets when they have them....and the plant.stores all carry the one kind in a box from some place...all the exact same.. not even named.varieties..just called jumbo. .

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

I get them from my local nurseries when possible.

[@dalgivandeoliveirarodrigue9325]

Amei,elas são bem peculiares,o lago ficou muito bom!🐠🌳🌻

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Muito obrigado!

[@ksero1000]

Hey there! I been watching your videos again today on heavy rotation because it’s that time again! I am just wondering if you know... if I dug a hole in my ground about twice as big as the roots of the Borneo Giant, and planted it, will the roots have the strength to burst through the soil surrounding the hole when it starts growing big? I pretty much have clay soil. I’m worried my ground will act like a restrictive pot.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Hello, I’d recommend amending the soil heavily with composted manure and biotone fertilizer. That’ll help. Clay soils are great once they’ve been amended over the years. Also, utilize autumn leaves to the fullest. They will add minerals and nutrients in the perfect ratio.

[@JulianChild]

Well ... this was frustrating. I'm trying to grow Colocasia esculenta in Zone 5 and watched this for information on how to plant them. How the heck do you plant them? Some are saying 2-4" and others are saying deeper. Perhaps a better title would be "The Secret to Wintering Taro in Cold Climate." I'm starting them indoors and was curious as to how deep to plant them. THANK YOU for stating what you said about buying the corms at Lowes. I had one shrivel up and am concerned about the other two. I planted the one that started to shrive and am planting the healthier-looking ones right now. Wish me luck! ..... Okay, color me duffus. I just noticed the Styrofoam netting has a tag which tells me to plant them 6" deep. Best go with the directions that came with the corm. (Please see Brian's answer to this post!)

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Hey Julian, When you plant them in a container to start early, they should be shallower; 1-2” deep. Once it’s time to plant in spring, that’s when you plant them 6” deep. Let me know how it goes! If you want some really cool tropicals, check out Brian’s Botanicals.

[@JulianChild]

Well, crap! I thought that might be the case but went against my instincts. You're a pro for getting back to me so soon. One more question, if I may. If the one that started to shrivel grows, I'm planting it in the ground when it's warm enough. The two that I just planted, and I will dig them back up in the morning and raise them up a bit (they're quite wet, now), Those two I think I'm going to plant in two very sturdy stone pots I have. Should I plant those under 6" of soil? I've gone Elephant Ear crazy this year. I also have five black elephant ears. If you haven't grown those, before, I highly recommend them. I grew them last year and they're very striking.

[@JXZ-JAM]

You will be extremely hard pressed to get them to survive in zone 5 over the winter. The deeper the better as it will stay warmer the deeper the soil is. Cold is what will kill them. If its not under you frost line the chances are it will not survive. The other problem is of course burying them too deep means they may not be able to penetrate the soil come spring/summer. Mulch them either way come time towards to end of the season.

[@JXZ-JAM]

Also, I honestly would recommend just growing them in pots and over wintering them inside in like a garage or something.

[@JulianChild]

Thank you. No, they wouldn't survive, here, no matter how deep I planted or mulched them. It's been occasionally reaching -20 to -30 these past few winters. I have every intention of digging them up and hibernating them properly this autumn. I, currently, have black elephant ears that are towering over me and I stand at 5'11". I wish I could insert pictures here but, suffice it to say, I want these awesome puppies around for years to come.

[@paskymac4969]

Back home we call them Dasheen

[@AAHomeGardening]

I have a proper Jamaican dasheen growing in my garden in the UK

[@purnimabhatt5355]

Nice information.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Thank you :)

[@pershop4950]

Good video to see your varieties of elephant ears but I guess this video should be called "The varieties of elephant ears that I grow".

[@devbachu7072]

They grow near runni g water an edible un the caribbean

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

That sounds amazing!!

[@GatorLife57]

Just subbed & liked. Ty4Sharing Wolf🐺 👍

[@agbornduku8921]

We have a big problem in Cameroon with the taro , it's germinate well and starts growing well but before it's get to mature stay, the leaves becomes infected with brown spots and within a week the plant dies away without being mature , please we need a solution so urgent.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Kind of sounds like Phytophthora fungus, do you grow in a wetland environment or dryland? Also are you growing your taro in a monoculture where it’s just taro for a large area, or do you have a mixed planting? (like a food forest). The other thing is even though you probably can grow taro all year breaking the disease cycle is hugely important. After you harvest taro, it’s best to plant something else completely unrelated to taro on that plot of land, or let it fallow/rest. Cover crops are helpful because Taro likes a lot of fertility as you know, and cover crops feed the soil naturally. Another term for cover crop is “designer weed” because the plant that you choose will help the taro when they get replanted and not allow room for other weeds to grow. speaking of soil, how do you fertilize? I’ll send you a link to 2 videos that may really help you, they’re both in Hawaii.

[@DivergentMoon]

Elephant ears are not the same as taro. Taro is colocasia, EE is alocasia. Taro is edible, EE not. I want to eat my taro. EE is cold hardy in my experience, but not all taro seems to be. This doesn't help if you don't make the difference clear.

[@framel44]

What Climatic Zone are you in?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

I’m in zone 6a.

[@ashfaq2004]

Good Job..you are missing out on Thailand Giant Colocasia.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Thank you! I’ve grown Thailand Giant in the past, but it doesn’t go dormant like other elephant ears. I am testing a variety called ‘Fierce Gigante’ which is supposed to get as big, but has reddish stems.

[@ashfaq2004]

sounds good...where do you buy these Elephant ears ?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Ash these are Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta (standard variety) from a local garden center. As long as you give them water & organic matter in the soil, and give them part shade, they’ll grow big. If you want to basically guarantee a big elephant ear, Jack’s Giant is a great variety.

[@mingsong]

Are these small taro or big taro?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

The corms where the size of baseballs when I bought them. After last summer, they were more online since I planted them deep, and about, on average, 8” tall and 5” wide.

[@feast2faminebeast21]

Question man... do you know if all species of Colocasia are edible??

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Move It Mathus I’m not sure. When prepared probably, they probably are, however, Colocasia and Alocasia have calcium oxalate crystals, which give you kidney stones. One of my friends is an herbalist and she said eating it felt like eating glass shards. That being said I would proceed with caution and triple check your recipe and info.

[@feast2faminebeast21]

Here’s a PDF with some cool info. www.fao.org/docrep/013/am014e/am014e04.pdf

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Move It Mathus Cool! I’ll definitely check this out ! Thank you!

[@jamesleverett883]

I need help my elephant ears are going too big and too large I haven't been big pots but it's been raining a whole lot some elephant ears are starting to climb out of the pot I had them for 4 years and I don't know what to do if I separate them I can get over a hundred I don't have enough pots for that do not want to give away or sell them if I separate them my whole front yard will be numbered elephant ears a force to get a greenhouse for this year I love to see people freak out when they see my elephant ears

[@ThomasShue]

Not all tarro is edible

[@willemh3319]

i get the arroh in the local indian shop for a $a pound or 1,5€ 8 bulbs 👍👍👍👍🤑🤑

[@kimkillah]

What? In norway we pay 150 $ for 1 deasent plant.......

[@nagmasoma6112]

The one u get in Indian shops r different variety they r much smaller and the big leaves ones r taro

[@jeandavidnau8314]

Didn't show the plant in your thumbnail

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Hey Brad, I showed the plants in the thumbnail 19 seconds in...

[@jeandavidnau8314]

@@TheBarefootedGardener I'll watch again

[@ashercohen387]

Volume is too low.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Thanks for the tip!

[@ThomasShue]

Please eloaborate on the cost to the environment from Peatmoss

[@DivergentMoon]

Elephant Ear is a different species from Taro. It can't be eaten.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Technically. The variety we normally grow is Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta. The specific epithet (esculenta) means edible. I haven’t tried and don’t intend to eat my taro, but it can be eaten. The word taro is just a common name. Colocasia has a LOT of common names from different cultures that I could rattle off, but that’s beside the point. If you have more evidence to prove me wrong, I’d love to see it.

[@DivergentMoon]

I grew up on taro and poi in Hawaii, and nobody mixed up the two species with their common names. Even common names can refer to a specific plant, and I've always understood they do. This helps people understand that Elephant Ears will harm you if you try cooking and eating them (although I understand they can be used for famine food if cooked for several days). Taro (kalo) is edible and easily reproduced from the top part of the corm along with the first foot or so of the stalk returned to the ground. It requires cooking for about an hour to soften and get rid of the oxalic acid. Then it's the staple food for millions of people. But if people don't know the difference, they might try to grow the Elephant Ear for food or will be afraid to eat the taro.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Melissa Miller Ok. How do I identify the difference? Is it the corm or kohina? I’ve seen some Colocasia with a pink piko sold as elephant ear. I’ll do some research on this. I don’t want to misuse the terms. Common names do not refer to the same plant. If someone is talking about a red maple, they could be referring to Acer rubrum, Acer platanoides, or Acer palmatum. Even certain taro like Úla Úla Moana have different names on different islands. That’s why I like Latin names. Given that, I respect your knowledge that you shared.

[@DivergentMoon]

I found this: www.mauijungalow.com/2012/03/taro-vs-elephant-ear-telling-them-apart.html#.WxBXei_Mwlk It's not hard and fast, apparently. Taro can have different colors than green. Elephant Ear is very large, taro sizes vary and are usually smaller than 5 feet. Taro leaf shapes vary widely, unlike Elephant Ears. The top of EE leaf splits at the top and joins at the petiole, the taro (almost always) have a piko/belly button further down into the leaf where the petiole holds the leaf. If you want to try to eat kalo/taro, here are some recipes: www.yummly.com/recipes/taro

[@DivergentMoon]

During my research I also learned the kalo has been hybridized and some have gotten loose in Hawaii and become invasive, threatening the environment there. Just FYI.

[@pn3940]

I don't think elephant ear is the same as Taro. Taro is edible.

[@pn3940]

elephant ear is ornamental only?

[@yunginspirit3162]

Yeah, but where's the taro? Where's the evidence?

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

The taro/ kalo is in the ground…? Additionally because I fertilize them with organic fertilizer, but not past July means that the taro corm grows as the summer wanes.

[@lvthsun23]

You remind me of Opie:)

[@prantamdhazrat6648]

Seriously the video has nothing to do with the title!!

[@sislertx]

Btw...dont.go barefoot...u get pin worms

[@muhammadzainulabidin5707]

TYPES

[@malmotumotu5218]

White people call it elephant year we called it taro/talo since the beginning of times

[@ochoonda]

The title is misleading. I just wasted 10 minutes of my time!👎👎