Dasheen, also known as Taro or Cocoyam, is cultivated for its enormous and nutritious corms, harvested in the fall. Dasheen is a widely cultivated plant in subtropical and tropical climates alike. When fully grown, dasheen can reach heights of approximately 1 m (3 ft) and has long, extended stalks that contain long green leaves in the shape of a heart.
Taro is a root vegetable commonly farmed as a food crop in China, Japan, and the West Indies. Dasheen is farmed for its delicious corms and lateral tubers, known as eddo’s, rather than for its leaves. Dasheen necessitates an extended growing season to provide huge tubers.
It is possible to cultivate it in milder climates by digging up the tubers and keeping them in an excellent, dry location. Frost and extended spells of frigid weather have caused damage to Dasheen’s crops. In terms of selection, there are numerous options. It is a huge plant that requires a lot of areas to thrive.
On the other hand, Dasheen plants are incredibly hardy plants that are easy to grow and maintain. If you follow some simple cultivation guidelines, you can enjoy a full-size, thriving dasheen plant in the first season after it is planted. It can also improve the appearance of a yard.
Throughout this post, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of painting Dasheen. So, without further ado, let us begin.
Before planting a dasheen plant, what should be kept in mind?
A few things to bear in mind when maintaining a healthy and tranquil Dasheen.
- Taro requires soil that is rich, moist, and well-drained, as opposed to moisture-retentive soil. Taro is commonly grown in damp fields throughout Asia. The corms of Dasheen need to be planted in 6 inches (15cm) deep grooves or holes, which are then covered with 2 to 3 inches (5-8cm) of dirt in a dry climate. As a result, water dasheen frequently ensures that its soil is moist. Because it thrives in moist environments, it is preferable to overwater this plant rather than submerge it completely.
- Given that the Dasheen is a tuber-based plant, the tubers in grooves 6 inches (15 cm) deep and covered with 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) of soil spacing them 15-24 inches (38-60 cm) apart in rows that are 40 inches (102 cm) apart (1 m.)
- Grow it on soil that is well-drained and fertile and has a lot of organic matter. The soil’s pH level should be between 5.5 and 6.5, slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid soil that is compacted or has a lot of clay.
- Partially shaded or dappled sunlight is ideal for the dasheen plant. Finding an ample open space under a tree is ideal! If you’re working indoors, make sure it gets as much light as possible. However, do not plant them in areas where the sun will directly light on them because this will not be comfortable for your Dasheen. When planted inside, they require bright sunlight but not too much heat or direct sunlight. Remove it from its current location or cover it with a sheer drape if you see that the leaves are becoming bleached or singed.
- Provide a covered position for the decorative leaves to avoid being damaged by severe winds. According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, dasheen plants cannot survive strong winds since their stems are comparatively weak compared to other plants. Keep in mind to put your elephant ears in a sheltered spot away from the wind or bring container plants indoors during severe storms.
- Water-soluble fertilizer (20-20-20) should be applied once a month to the Dasheen plant during the growing season (spring, summer, and early fall). Apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch to the topsoil and work the compost into the soil with a simple garden trowel to distribute it equally. You can also propagate or thin out your plants by separating the tuberous roots that grow from the rootstock.
How To Plant Dasheen: Step By Step Guide
Step 1: Select Healthy Dasheen Tuber
Select the appropriate tubers for your Dasheen bulbs before planting them. The leaves of your Dasheen will grow huge and lush if you choose tubers that are large, plump, and sturdy enough to support large leaves. They develop into large, robust plants with solid stems and abundant foliage.
Smaller tubers (like those on the right) produce more small plants and fewer leaves. Three to five-foot-tall Dasheen ears are topped with dark green leaves that point upward and are two feet wide. The edges of the leaves are slightly ruffled.
It is important to note that a healthy Dasheen ear tuber will feel solid and hefty, and its outside will be dry. Since your plant will want a large amount of space to expand, it’s good to plant at least 5-6 inches deep while you’re planting.
Step 2: Prepare The Soil
Dasheen plants require nutrient-dense soil that is moist (but not saturated) and well-drained. Most Dasheen plants do not tolerate wet feet, while others, such as the large-leaved colocasia found in water gardens, are tolerant of wet weather but wet soil is recommended for their well thrive. The preparation of Dasheen plant soil is straightforward.
It is recommended to turn beneath existing vegetation and add compost and phosphate fertilizer as you dig over the soil to prepare it for elephant ears. Allow for a few days for the organic material to degrade before breaking up, smashing the soil clods, and smoothing the surface to prepare the soil for planting.
After that, turn the soil under to a depth of 8 inches to prepare the bed for the elephant ears. Then use a rake to remove any clumps of grass or stones formed.
The majority of Dasheen plants thrive on soils that have been treated with organic compounds. A fantastic kind of organic matter, compost has a nice mix of nutrients and a perfect pH level, and it can be added to your planting space at any point during the growing season.
Step 3: Dig A Hole And Plant The Tuber
When the weather changes and the leaves on your trees begin to turn brown, you’ll know it’s time to dig up Dasheen and bring her to safety. Don’t be concerned if you don’t have the time to dig up your plants.
When Dasheen plants are planted near the ground’s surface, they thrive at their best. Dig a hole 4 inches deeper than the soil line, with the top of the bulb at the bottom of the hole. 4 inches of the earth should be used to finish the job.
Dasheen bulbs should be spaced 2-4 feet apart. Two to three weeks following the last frost date in your location is an excellent time to start. Tuber begins indoors eight to ten weeks before the last frost date and then transplants them outside after that.
Dasheen plants typically sprout between three and eight weeks after being planted. The weather begins to warm during the spring season, and sprouting occurs.
In addition to growing tall throughout the season, these vast plants frequently produce side shoots due to bulb offsets or root runners. Those grown in warmer climates will sprout more quickly than in cooler climates. However, it is contingent on the availability of warmth and moisture.
Step 4: Water Properly After Planting
Dasheen plants typically sprout between three and eight weeks after being planted. The weather begins to warm during the spring season, and sprouting occurs.
Watering the Dasheen plant regularly is essential after successfully sprouting, particularly during the growing season. Approximately 2 – 3 inches of water per week is required for indoor and outdoor elephant ears.
In the winter, you can lower this to roughly 1 inch of water every week to ensure that the soil remains moist throughout the season. On the other hand, they require at the very least moist, organically rich soil, but consistently moist soil is preferred, especially during the hotter months.
During the winter, you must reduce the amount of water you provide to your plants because they do not require as much moisture in their soil as they do during the other seasons of the year.
FAQs
What is the best time to plant dasheen?
It is possible to grow dasheen in USDA plant hardiness zones 8-11, and it should be planted as soon as the threat of frost has gone. It grows throughout the summer and reaches maturity in October and November, at which point the tubers can be harvested.
Is dasheen good to eat?
DASHEEN LEAVES, also known as Dasheen Bush, contain high vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6, vitamin C, niacin, and potassium. Dasheen tubers are high in carbohydrates and a vital source of dietary fiber, making them a great addition to any meal.
Is dasheen suitable for people with diabetes?
Dasheen contains resistant starch, which cannot be digested by humans and does not elevate blood sugar levels, making it a perfect food for people who have diabetes, prevalent throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean region.
Does dasheen have an iron?
It is an excellent source of minerals, including iron, magnesium, and potassium. Additionally, it is an excellent source of zinc, manganese, copper, and phosphorus. Additionally, it includes a high concentration of important dietary fiber and enough quantities of vitamins A, C, E, and B6.
Final Thought
These are the methods for planting Dasheen we mentioned in the article.
It takes 7-8 months for upland dasheen cultivars to reach maturity. Large corms, common in mature plants, tend to rise above the ground when they wilt, and the withering process is accelerated. Make sure the crop is ripe by sampling a few plants.
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