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ego
08-13-2015, 05:44 AM
Hi

I got an Alocasia Macrorrhiza (giant taro) in April and planted it in my garden. Summers here are very dry and hot. Average max temperature is 35 C but some days can be hotter than 40 C. Humidity during the day is low, about 30%. I do water the plant every day or every other day though, and the soil is covered with grass which I suppose retains humidity. The plant is under direct sunlight in the mornings but in the shade during afternoons.

The plant is not looking happy at all, it does not really grow, or it grows very slowly and the leaves look yellow-ish. I have uploaded a couple of photos in my gallery.

What could it be? Too much water? Those plants are supposed to be very water-thirsty. I'd be grateful for any advice.

JP
08-13-2015, 09:18 AM
I would remove the grass around it. Does the soil drain well? It should. No direct sunlight. It needs a lot of humidity so vaporise frequently. Did you check for bugs?

siege2050
08-13-2015, 10:33 AM
I have grown several Alocasia species in full sun, and shade, with summer temps up to 100F, and they will turn a little yellow green, or pale green in full sun, but they do much better than Colocasia do in full sun. The plant in the photo is still small, and it shows signs of too much sunlight. I would water it daily, I water my Odora and Borneo Giant two times a day usually.

ego
08-13-2015, 10:41 AM
How quick do they grow? Just so I know what to expect. This one was bought and planted in the garden in April. It was tiny back then, only had one tiny leaf. It's in the shade after 2pm

siege2050
08-13-2015, 01:06 PM
In the sun they seem to grow a little slower than in light shade, the ones I have in light shade are bigger, but they will tolerate full sun. My Alocasia Borneo Giant is just now starting to become a bit giant this second year at about 5 or 6 feet, but they do not grow as fast as a lot sellers claim. Good news is it pups like crazy and I have six new ones for my garden. It stores well dormant in winter, but takes a good month to restart growth in spring as do my other Alocasia, so best to start them early in pots indoors if you live in a cold place before spring arrives.

siege2050
08-13-2015, 01:31 PM
I think it will hit at least 8 feet this year, it gets about 5 hours full sun.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58528&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58528)

a.hulva@coxinet.net
08-14-2015, 04:50 PM
Hi

I got an Alocasia Macrorrhiza (giant taro) in April and planted it in my garden. Summers here are very dry and hot. Average max temperature is 35 C but some days can be hotter than 40 C. Humidity during the day is low, about 30%. I do water the plant every day or every other day though, and the soil is covered with grass which I suppose retains humidity. The plant is under direct sunlight in the mornings but in the shade during afternoons.

The plant is not looking happy at all, it does not really grow, or it grows very slowly and the leaves look yellow-ish. I have uploaded a couple of photos in my gallery.

What could it be? Too much water? Those plants are supposed to be very water-thirsty. I'd be grateful for any advice.

How about a pic

hydroid
08-25-2015, 01:56 AM
Try some granulated lime.