What are my chances?


For the past few years, I have been fascinated by this image in the Plant Delights catalog: two guys standing under a towering clump of colocasia gigantea “Thailand Giant Strain.” I do realize that Buffalo is not Thailand and I probably don’t need or want any tender plant to achieve these proportions.

However. Now that I have a viable place to keep this type of cultivar alive and slowly growing over the winter, it might be fun to see how big it will get. Anyway, I ordered it, as well as colocasia Nancy’s Revenge (featured in a previous post), a jagged-leaved boehmeria, and a beautiful yellow-leaved clematis, all from Plant Delights.
Email Post

Comments

Frances, said…
Maybe that will turn your garden into Thailand, all tropical and such. I am not sure about the yellow leaf clematis, though. Isn't there a disease called 'yellows'?

Frances at Faire Garden
2:00 PM
Lisa at Greenbow said…
That big ole plant will take over your greenhouse. Won't that be fun! Even if it got just half as big it will be a job moving it in and out. Maybe you can just cut a hole through for it to spread out.
3:18 PM
Anonymous said…
I've always been tempted to try to grow Gunnera. I've read they have one at Stoncrop, which is a full zone warmer than I am here. And they practically build a house over it to make sure it overwinters.

I think if you treat it like any other tropical that you have to bring in to the cellar or windowside, it'll do OK. Probably not like the picture, but OK.

Do you have a good sunny place for it outside during the season?
6:07 PM
kate said…
That's one hunka hunka burnin' plant, sure to take over your corner of the world! I await photographs throughout the summer.
6:12 PM
Stuart said…
Is this the anti-hero of bonsai? Or are they just able to bonsai people now? Incredible plant Eliz. Hope it grows well for you.
7:07 PM
Tina said…
It's possible. I bring mine in to overwinter every year (not the giant, of course). It isn't happy and looks like hell, but it lives through it. Better make sure you give that puppy a big pot the roots can't bust!
3:27 AM
Anonymous said…
And again, I ask, where in the name of God would you put something like that?
12:26 PM
Mr. McGregor's Daughter said…
I admire your audacity in planting such a behemoth! I hope it grows well for you.
2:10 PM
Chris Kreussling (Flatbush Gardener) said…
I'm trying one of their big aroids for the first time this year. I'm already in hardiness zone 7a, so it might be ground-hardy for me.
9:31 PM
Anonymous said…
Eliz: I just saw that plant at the NEGRows Trade Show in Boston. It was exhibited by a wholesale grower from SC. I spoke with an employee concerning that plant as it was pretty large by Colocasia standards and she said it would definitely reach that size even in a New England or northern garden. I would say it was eight feet tall and full. I better get my order it! Can't wait to see yours!
6:53 AM
Carol Michel said…
I'll be watching for future posts on this plant. I hope it does get leaves that big on it for you, perhaps in one season. It would be something to see!

Carol, May Dreams Gardens
4:13 PM
Anonymous said…
With the humans in comparison, that thing looks like the makings of a 50's or 60's sci-fi horror film! You know, like "Day Of The Triffids" I agree with Kate & Carol,we want to see photos of your plant's progress! By the way: I chose to visit your blog from a long list of others due to the amusing title!
10:00 AM
EAL said…
Ellis Hollow has the right idea on this.

When it gets too big for me to carry inside and out of a sunny humid plant room, which I do have, I can resort to cutting it back and starting over again. I mean, for WNY it's basically an annual. And like Ellis, I kinda doubt it'll get as big as the picture.

I have a shady corner in the garden where I think this will fit. Though I was considering a bar there.
10:22 AM
chuck b. said…
Holy crap!!!

That picture looks photoshopped.

Will that plant reach something that approximates full size in one growing season? Gunnera will, so if it doesn't make it through the winter, the full effect can be enjoyed at least once.
12:55 PM
Unknown said…
Ooooh... I can't wait to see how that does for you! You can always dig up the tuber/bulb/whatever if the plant gets too big and overwinter it that way, right?
7:57 PM
Unknown said…
You can always overwinter the tuber in your garage. I live near the Plant Delights nursery (Let me just note that whereever you live, their display garden, Juniper Level, open to the public during their triannual open houses, are worth traveling to see!), and have seen the Thailand Giant they have growing there. Not as big as the one pictured in the catalog, but astounding nonetheless. I've purchased this plant twice from the open house, and had both of them die on me. This may reflect more poorly on me than the plants; however, I've grown and propagated other Colocasias successfully.
4:27 PM
Anonymous said…
Can you say, "Feed me Seymour!?"

Better keep your eye on that one..

XXKHT
6:46 PM
Post a Comment

Popular Posts