Earlier this year I bought a small C. esculenta "Limeade". I have been having quite a few issues growing it so far so I hope you people can help me out. I have several Alocasia hybrids and none of them has proven to be as problematic as this one.

First problem: I cannot seem to find a decent position for it. I first placed under the Wisteria trellis to get filtered sunlight all day around but growth lagged, so I tried putting it in a place where it gets full sunlight a few hours each morning. Bad idea as leaf margins quickly became scorched so back under the wisteria it went. No more scorched leaves but growth is painfully slow.

Second problem: I have been told to give it plenty of water and that it can be "planted in mud" if the need be. It seems excessive to water literally every day in the Summer, even with the scorching dry weather we have here, especially considering the Alocasia seem to thrive on far less frequent irrigations. I fear the potting medium may not be adequate as I am having a few problems with the Podopodium as well after a stellar season: what are the requisites for these?

Third problem: I have affectionately nicknamed this plant "The Leaning Tower of Pisa" because it just leans so much I had to drive a stake into the container and tie it to keep it upright. I hoped as the plant grew it would not need any more staking but growth is so slow and the leaning doesn't improve.

Apart from that no issues to report, but the Alocasia have proven to be far less problematic than this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Diabolo, welcome to the site.
As with everything, a photo would help immeasurably so we can see what you are talking about.
Also knowing in general terms where you live (the zone, or the state).

Colocasia and Alocasia are completely different in their needs, even though they are both aroids. Colocasia can indeed be grown in a bog, or in a pond, 'in the mud'. That is how I grow mine. They need almost constant moisture to their roots, especially if they are in a hot, dry climate.

I can grow mine in full sun here in Florida because its humid as hell as well as being extremely hot in summer. But someone growing in, say, the same temp in Utah or California or Arizona would have problems due to the dry air.

It would help to know what you potted your plant in. Also how long you have been trying to grow it. Fall is the season that Colocasia naturally start to kind of die back a little. As the temps gradually drop, getting into the 50's at night, they need to be removed from the water and allowed to dry out so that they can overwinter. Some will go completely dormant, others won't.

I grow one very similar to Limeade (in fact, some people believe they are the same plant with a different market name) called Midori. It can tolerate full sun for half to 3/4 day if grown as a pond plant.



I have already lifted it for the fall even though its still warm here, divided it and am letting it dry out for the coming winter.

I grow almost all of my Colocasia in water during the summer, by keeping them potted and setting them into tub gardens. Otherwise they would probably die as I cannot water everything, everyday

Thank you very much.

As much as I'd love to grow this one in water (or having a pond) it's major no-go around here due to mosquitoes. I spend a fortune in extermination every year and since nobody else seems to care I am besieged by bloodsuckers anyway. It's beyond crazy.

I was expecting to raise this one as a houseplant in the winter as I do with Alocasia but I take that's not possible?

Colocasias make very poor houseplants but you can try. They need a lot more light than they usually get in a house