Colocasia esculenta ‘Tropical Storm’

Cultivated origin of Colocasia esculenta ‘Tropical Storm’

John J. Cho bred ‘Tropical Storm’ in Kula, Hawaii, by crossing ‘Black Magic’ with ‘Nancy’s Revenge’. He selected the cultivar in 2007.

Looking after Colocasia esculenta ‘Tropical Storm’

Keep ‘Tropical Storm’ warm while it is producing new shoots and leaves. It grows especially well above about 21°C during active growth. Keep it away from cold draughts and give it bright filtered light near a window, introducing stronger sun gradually.

Use rich, moisture-retentive compost in a container with drainage holes. During active growth, water thoroughly when the surface starts to dry and let the pot drain after watering. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser according to the label while new shoots are developing.

If light levels drop and growth slows, keep the compost lightly moist and pause feeding. Extra humidity can help in dry rooms, especially while new leaves are opening.

Once roots fill the pot or emerge through the drainage holes, move the plant into a pot one size larger. Keep it at the same depth and refresh the compost around the rootball.

Problem-solving for Colocasia esculenta ‘Tropical Storm’

• Fine pale speckling, fine webbing or tiny white-winged insects appear: Check beneath the leaves for spider mites or whitefly. Isolate the plant and rinse both sides of the foliage. If the pest remains, use an indoor insecticidal soap labelled for use on this plant and pest, and repeat only as directed on the label.
• The leaves wilt after the compost has dried: Water the rootball thoroughly and let the pot drain. Very dry compost may need a brief soak before it absorbs water evenly again.
• Brown tips occur with a white crust on the compost or container: Fertiliser or mineral salts may have accumulated. Remove the crust, flush the compost with plain water and allow the pot to drain thoroughly.
• The foliage collapses while the compost remains wet: Root or corm rot may be developing. Stop watering, empty any standing water and check that the drainage holes are clear. If the plant keeps declining or the base feels soft, wear gloves and inspect the roots and corm. Cut brown mushy roots or soft corm tissue back to firm, healthy tissue with a clean tool, discard the rotten material and old compost, disinfect the tool and repot in fresh compost that drains freely. Discard the plant if the base is soft throughout.

Colocasia esculenta ‘Tropical storm’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

About the name Colocasia esculenta and the history of ‘Tropical Storm’

Colocasia comes from ancient Greek kolokasion, a name for an edible, corm-bearing plant. Esculenta means edible, reflecting taro’s long history as a food plant.

John J. Cho selected ‘Tropical Storm’ in Hawai‘i in 2007 from a controlled cross between ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Nancy’s Revenge’. It received United States plant patent PP27740 in 2017.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Colocasia in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 18.

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Arum esculentum in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 965. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott later placed it in Colocasia as Colocasia esculenta in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 18.