How to Plant, Grow, and Care for ‘Black Magic’ Colocasia

Often known as elephant ear vegetation, members of the Colocasia genus are identified for his or her massive leaves that seem atop lengthy petioles. Their spectacular dimension makes them glorious additions to decorative gardens, and their low-maintenance necessities imply you don’t need to spend plenty of time caring for them.

Many sorts of elephant ear vegetation have inexperienced foliage, however ‘Black Magic’ is a cultivar identified for its deep purple leaves. The vegetation develop between three and 6 ft tall, making them a wonderful backdrop for smaller vegetation or an ideal filler when blended with different elephant ear cultivars. You may even develop them indoors in pots for those who dwell in a colder local weather.

Though these vegetation are straightforward to develop, they nonetheless require explicit care. I’ll share easy methods to choose the right surroundings, overwinter the vegetation efficiently, and take care of them in order that they thrive.

What Is ‘Black Magic’ Colocasia?

‘Black Magic’ is a particular cultivar of Colocasia esculenta. This species is also referred to as taro, and is usually grown for its edible, starchy corms.

It’s a tropical plant that thrives in areas that stay above freezing year-round. In these areas, the vegetation can develop as much as six ft tall with massive leaves that resemble elephant ears.

‘Black Magic’ is a decorative selection bred for its deep purple leaves. It makes a fantastic addition to summer time landscapes, and it may also be grown indoors in containers.

Traits

‘Black Magic’ colocasia is a young perennial with massive leaves. It’s hardy right down to zone 8, however the foliage will die again when temperatures dip beneath freezing.

The shield-shaped leaves have lengthy stems referred to as petioles and resemble elephant ears. Every leaf emerges from the bottom of the plant, and leaves of assorted ages and heights mix to create a spherical, dense plant.

‘Black Magic’ leaves are deep purple, and so they virtually seem black from a distance. The leaves lie near parallel to the soil line with the information pointing in direction of the bottom. In contrast to members of the carefully associated Alocasia genus, ‘Black Magic’ options leaf ideas that droop barely in direction of the bottom.

These vegetation produce flowers, however they aren’t attention-grabbing. Like all members of the Araceae household, the flowers encompass a single leaf known as a spathe surrounding a flower spike referred to as a spadix. ‘Black Magic’ vegetation produce these flowers beneath the leaves, in order that they’re not often seen.

Native Space

Colocasia esculenta is native to components of Southeast Asia and India, the place it thrives in scorching, damp climates. ‘Black Magic’ was created by plant breeders, so it’s not native to a specific space. Nevertheless, you could discover it rising wild in locations the place it escaped cultivation.

Planting

You may develop ‘Black Magic’ colocasia from the bulbs, that are technically corms, or from potted, presprouted corms. Both methodology works nicely, nevertheless it’s not all the time doable to seek out the vegetation close by. If you find yourself buying ‘Black Magic’ on-line, shopping for the corms is a better choice.

You may plant the corms or small vegetation within the floor or in a container. For those who go for a pot, choose a container that’s at the least 18 inches deep and 18 inches large. Make sure the planter has drainage holes and fill it with a wealthy and well-draining potting combine.

Planting Corms

For those who’re beginning with a corm, wait till the soil has warmed and the hazard of frost is gone. I like to recommend ready till nighttime temperatures are persistently above 50°F (10°C) for those who’re planting open air. For those who’re rising ‘Black Magic’ indoors in a container, the spring is a perfect time to plant the corm.

Study every corm and search for the bumpy or pointed aspect and the flat aspect. The slender or bumpy finish ought to be pointed up, and the graceful aspect ought to be planted down.

Dig a gap that’s about two inches deeper than the corm’s top. Place the corm within the gap, cowl it with soil, and water nicely. For those who’re planting a number of corms in the identical space, house them two to 4 ft aside.

Planting Transplants

Beginning with a pre-sprouted, potted corm is another choice. The method is similar to planting corms, however you don’t have to fret about figuring out which aspect of the corm is up and which is down.

Dig a gap that’s the dimensions of the plant’s present container, then place the rootball within the gap. Guarantee the highest of the rootball is on the soil line, then cowl with soil and water nicely.

How you can Develop

Rising ‘Black Magic’ colocasia is easy so long as you know the way to present the right surroundings. Conserving the vegetation heat and moist sufficient are the 2 most difficult components of plant care.

Gentle

Colocasia vegetation develop nicely in partial shade, and ‘Black Magic’ isn’t any exception. The vegetation can tolerate extra solar in northern climates, however they admire dappled mild or afternoon shade in hotter areas.

For those who’re rising these vegetation indoors, place them close to a vivid, south-facing or east-facing window. A sunroom all the time works nicely if it stays heat through the winter.

Water

‘Black Magic’ colocasia requires persistently moist and damp soil to thrive. If their soil dries out for even a day, the plant’s massive leaves will wilt. That is very true for newly-planted corms that haven’t but developed a lot of a root system.

Rising the vegetation in moist soil is okay; they will even thrive close to pond edges and different areas lined with just a few inches of water. For those who develop them in a drier space, remember to water them so the soil stays moist. Plan to water just a few occasions per week through the first few months of the plant’s progress and through dry intervals.

Thankfully, the plant’s massive leaves assist shade the bottom. This limits evaporation and helps retain moisture, so you possibly can water mature vegetation much less regularly.

Soil

These develop finest in wealthy, free, and well-draining soil that’s capable of maintain moisture. Excessive soil natural matter is good because it helps maintain moisture whereas additionally permitting extra water to empty. Mixing just a few inches of compost into the soil earlier than planting will increase the natural matter and enhance the soil for ‘Black Magic.’

A pH between 5.5 and 6.5 is good. Including sulfur will help decrease soil pH, however bear in mind that it’ll take a number of months to see a noticeable change in pH.

For those who’re rising this colocasia in a container, use a well-draining potting combine that’s excessive in natural matter. Beginning with a soilless potting combine is okay, however you could want so as to add in further compost or peat moss to enhance the water-holding capability.

Temperature and Humidity

‘Black Magic’ colocasia likes heat and humid situations. They develop finest when temperatures stay above 65°F (18°C) and the humidity stays excessive. Nevertheless, they will tolerate temperatures right down to 50°F (10°C) with little injury apart from slowed progress.

The above-ground parts of the vegetation are usually not frost-tolerant, and the leaves will die again when temperatures dip beneath 32°F (0°C). The corms will survive mild freezes however not extended, onerous freezes. That’s why they’re hardy right down to zone 8.

For those who dwell in zone seven and beneath, the corms are unlikely to outlive the winter open air. You may deal with the ‘Black Magic’ as an annual and replant the corms every year, or dig up the corms within the fall and hold them indoors till the next spring.

Indoor colocasia grows nicely at customary family temperatures, however supplying sufficient humidity generally is a problem. Including a humidifier will assist increase the air moisture to a adequate degree, particularly throughout dry winter days.

Fertilizing

Like all kinds of colocasia, ‘Black Magic’ requires a considerable amount of vitamins to stay wholesome and produce its massive leaves. Enriching the soil with compost and/or worm castings earlier than planting is an efficient begin, however the vegetation will nonetheless profit from common fertilization.

Choose a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio like 10-10-10 or 15-15-15. A granular or liquid fertilizer works nicely. Apply the fertilizer about as soon as a month within the early spring via the center of summer time. Keep away from fertilizing within the fall and winter when progress slows.

Upkeep

‘Black Magic’ requires little upkeep exterior of straightforward pruning.

For those who discover leaves which are discolored, diseased, or broken, you possibly can take away them from the plant to enhance look and total plant well being. Seize a pair of sharp and sanitized clippers and snip the leaf’s petiole close to the bottom of the plant.

Trimming the leaves after they’re broken by frost will assist enhance the plant’s look and make it simpler to mulch across the underground corm. Use a knife or pair of pruning shears to chop all of the leaves about six inches above the bottom of the plant. Permit the remaining bits of leaves to dry out, then mulch the realm to insulate the corm from chilly temperatures.

Winter Care 

For those who dwell in zone 7 and beneath, your plant is unlikely to outlive the winter open air. Eradicating the corm and storing it indoors till the next spring means that you can develop the identical plant from yr to yr.

Look ahead to the primary frost to kill the foliage, then dig up the plant’s corms. Trim off any remaining leaves in order that they’re just a few inches above the corm. 

Place your corms in a heat, dry, well-ventilated space out of direct mild. A greenhouse works nicely, as does a heat closet or attic. The corms ought to be barely dry inside one to 2 weeks, at which level they’re prepared for storage. Place them in peat moss or coco coir and retailer in a heat, dry place over the winter.

Another choice is to dig up the dwelling vegetation and retailer them in indoor pots over the winter. If you wish to make the most of this feature, dig up the vegetation just a few weeks earlier than the primary frost arrives and place them in a container crammed with potting combine. Hold the vegetation in a vivid, heat indoor space till heat climate arrives the next spring.

Propagation

You may propagate ‘Black Magic’ colocasia in quite a few methods, however separating the offsets that type alongside the primary corm is the best and most dependable methodology. Dig up your plant and search for tiny, fleshy growths rising from the primary corm: these are offsets. Use a pointy knife to chop them from the remainder of the plant.

Place the offsets in a dim, dry space for just a few days to permit the minimize finish to heal. Subsequent, place the offset in a moist, heat surroundings. A tray crammed with moist peat moss, a shallow dish of water, and moist vermiculite all work nicely.

Test the offset for a sprout each few days. When you see a sprout, replant right into a container crammed with moist and well-draining potting combine and transfer it to a heat and well-lit location.

Pests and Illnesses

‘Black Magic’ colocasia experiences few critical pests and ailments, however that doesn’t imply it’s problem-free.

Hold a watch out for taro leaf blight, a illness that causes brown discolorations with distinctive halo-like rings. Take away and eliminate any contaminated foliage you see to forestall the illness from spreading.

Though considerably unusual, bugs like armyworms, aphids, and mealybugs can hurt ‘Black Magic’ vegetation. Look ahead to these pests and take away them as vital.

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