Black Magic Elephants Ear – Colocasia esculenta

Elephant Ears Black Magic is one of the most spectacular Colocasia plants ever introduced.
Its dusty solid purple-black leaves grow up to 60cm. Black Magic grows to a giant clump up to 2m tall with an equally wide spread. Prefers sun to partial shade.

Height: 0.5 – 2.0m Width: 0.5 – 2.0m

USES:
Contrast foliage plant, especially in a moist sunny position in a tropical garden.

PLANTING TIPS:
Keep moist and in a sunny position. Elephant Ears can handle cooler climates, but they may die back in winter and re-shoot in spring.

SOIL TYPE:
Colocasia can tolerate a range of soils. Ideally the soil must be well dug and heavily enriched with organic matter to ensure the plants thrive. Colocasia like a PH of 6.5 to 7.5 PH. They don’t like acidic soil.

ASPECT:
Best in full sun, but will grow in partial shade.

PRUNING:
Remove dead leaves as needed several times during the growing season (spring/summer).

WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Water regularly after planting until established.

FEEDING:
Feed in Autumn/Spring with a complete fertiliser. Use a Dolomite Lime to neutralise the soil, as Colocasia do not like acidic soils.

PESTS & PROBLEMS:
Snails – Treat with snail pellets.

CLIMATE:
Australia Wide, but may die back in cooler climates in the winter and re shoot in the spring.

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