Xanthosoma Violaceum

Summary

Tender plant with very jungley (is that a word?) leaves. needs lots of moisture to grow well

2011

I bought a tuber in 2011 from Himilayan Gardens

Here it is in June

30th July
It has been put out in its pot against a North facing fence

13th august

12th September

24th september
end result

same day, put in a smaller pot for winter

2012

1st February
It has wintered in a warm office next to a south facing window, leaf shape has changed

23rd April, still alive but looking a little poorly

23rd May
Hardening off outdoors

18h September
Perhaps due to the warm wintering location, the main plant rotted outsdoors, by the end of September, some pups had formed

It was wintered dry (bulbs wrapped in newspaper) but they were very small

2013

1st July 

Planted out and very small

 30th July

18th October, still has the more pointed leaf shape, not particularly large either

Again they were over wintered dry and started off again in the spring, very small plants at the end of winter

2014

It didnt leave the greenhouse all year as I tried to give it heat to bulk it up, but I dont think there's enough humidity for it in there, it grew but not fantastically

End of August

September

1st November

My little girl has outgrown it

2015

Planted out in May, they hardly grew all year, the soil is baked in this location and water was just running off when I watered. I made a few holes to retain water but they didnt get nearly enough this year and were very disappointing. they will get a better position next year. I am determined to get big leaves again like I did in 2011