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TAHITIAN SPINACH
GROWING INFORMATION
©
Frances
and Jeff Michaels
BOTANICAL INFORMATION
Common Name:
Tahitian Spinach,
Taro, Cocoyam, Celery Stem Taro
Botanical Name:
Colocasia
esculenta
Family:
Araceae
Plant Description:
Native to
Indo-Malaysia and the Pacific, taro is widely grown
throughout the tropics for its edible corms and
stems. This particular taro was developed for its
yield of edible tasty leaves rather than its roots.
Taros are adapted to flooded environments and, like
rice, can be grown in paddy culture. Under paddy
they are grown in all soil types. They can also be
grown in dry, upland areas if water is provided by
irrigation or rainfall, mulching helps. Grown "dry"
the best results are obtained on deep, well-drained
friable loams.
Uses
Food; the leaves and
petioles (leaf stems) are eaten as a cooked green
vegetable. They provide protein, calcium,
phosphorus, iron, potassium and vitamins A, B, and
C. The leaves can be harvested all year round.
CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS
Recommended Planting Time:
Plant any time
that the soil is warm and rain is expected.
Spacing: 60-90 cm apart.
Planting Depth:
Plant the tuber a few cm below the soil surface.
Details: Taro is
propagated vegetatively, by the leaf-bearing tops of
mature corms or by small side shoots or suckers.
Available from Green
Harvest:
October 2008
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Green Harvest
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