What malanga care does he need?

colocasia esculenta

The taro It is a herbaceous plant that can be kept both indoors and in the garden. While it is true that he grows taller than any human being, his rate of growth is rather slow; In addition, despite its size, it does not need a lot of space to be able to grow well, which is why it can be grown in a pot.

With a little care you will have it beautiful all year round 😉 , so dare to discover it.

Contents

Origin and characteristics

colocasia esculenta

malanga It is a herbaceous and tuberous perennial native to Southeast Asia.. Its leaves are large, 32 to 36 cm long by 22 to 70 cm wide, and arise from a stem up to 40 cm long. The flowers arise from fragrant axillary inflorescences that have a peduncle 9-80 cm long. These are composed of a spathe up to 43cm long and are fragrant.

The fruit is a subglobose to oblong berry, 3.5-5 mm long and 2.5-3.9 mm in diameter, and inside are light brown ellipsoid seeds. The tuber is subglobose, stoloniferous, grows underground and reaches 6 cm in diameter..

Almost the whole plant is edible:

  • Leaves: they are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre. But it cannot be eaten raw because it contains calcium oxalate and raphides, which are very toxic.
  • Tuber: it is eaten cooked, as a vegetable.

What are your worries?

Colocasia esculenta plant

If you wish to have a malanga specimen, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

  • Location:
    • Indoors: it must be in a bright room, without drafts.
    • Exterior: semi-shade.
  • Earth:
    • Pot: universal growing medium mixed with 30% perlite.
    • Garden: Thrives in fertile, well-drained soils.
  • Irrigation: It should be watered 3 or 4 times a week in summer, and every 4 or 5 days the rest of the year.
  • Subscriber: in spring and summer, with organic fertilizers once a month.
  • Multiplication: by seeds or tubers in spring.
  • hardiness: does not tolerate cold or frost.

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