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‘Lime
Zinger’ and ‘Black Magic’
Add
Vibrant Color and Life to your Late Summer Garden
by
Byron
and Laurelynn Martin
| The
names alone pack a punch of intrigue. ‘Lime Zinger’s’ chartreuse
color and arrow-shaped leaf structure make heads turn. ‘Black
Magic’ also with its dark coloring and defining foliage command attention.
This Xanthosoma and Colocasia, respectively, complement any garden and when
used as a focal point can turn an ordinary garden into a masterful creation. |
Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger'
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Colocasia
'Black Magic'
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‘Lime
Zinger’ and ‘Black Magic’ can be grown in containers and placed
outside or they can be planted directly into the ground. They grow six
times as fast as Alocasias and are resistant to root rot. However,
high amounts of water are necessary for rapid growth. |
Their
starchy roots grow under high moisture and literally produce leaves within
days, similar to growing corn. Many times these plants are used in
aquatic gardening, which satisfy their water needs; however, as long as
water is given regularly, they perform excellently as indoor or outdoor
foliage plants.
Next,
moderate amounts of fertilizer and full sun exposure are needed for the best
growing results. These cultural conditions ensure that ‘Lime
Zinger’s’ leaves will glow their golden lime color and that ‘Black
Magic’s’ leaves will hold their dark, defining color.
After
the summer season ends, bring them inside and place them in full sun to
enhance your indoor living space. If grown in a container with
annuals, be sure to remove the annuals. If you would like to downsize
the plant, either prune back the leaves or separate and divide. The
plants that are planted directly into the ground need to be lifted and moved
into containers; use a three gallon nursery or a 12 –14” pot.
To
winter over, you can place ‘Lime Zinger’ or ‘Black Magic’ in a
basement and periodically water them. Although the light level will be
low, they may continue to grow. The growth will be spindly and the
color will pale, but they will maintain their bulb so when springtime hits
they can be moved outside again. Be sure to give them high light again
and moderate amounts of fertilizer … they will once again sparkle with
color and health.
Springtime
is also a good time to divide plants. In time the plant divides itself
by off shoots creating young plantlets. Pull off and pot up and soon
multiple stems will fill the pot.
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