How to Grow Taro Root in Greenhouse: A Step-By-Step Guide for Seed to Harvest

Vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals can enhance your overall health. The taro root is a nutritious vegetable that is easy to grow in a greenhouse. The taro root plant is primarily native to India and Southeast Asia. Plants with roots and leaves can be eaten, making them edible. Many dishes can be made with it, mostly in Asian countries.

Besides growing in flooded soils, it can also be grown in greenhouse containers. Approximately 3 to 4 feet high, taro roots are underground plants. For planting, the ground does not need to be deep. Taro roots can be grown in containers, but the container should allow plants to grow deep.

How to Grow Taro Root in Greenhouse

Sun and Temperature Requirements to Grow Taro Root in Greenhouse

Ideally, taro roots should be grown in partial shade or dappled sunlight. When indoors, ensure it gets as much light as possible. In addition to being protected from strong winds, this plant needs to be watered regularly. A temperature of 25-35°C is ideal. The temperature should always be above 7°C in a greenhouse where your plant lives year-round (colder temperatures may affect tuber growth). Putting indoor Taro outside between the last and first frost is only recommended.

Soil Requirements to Grow Taro Root in Greenhouse

Planting Taro requires soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 7.0. Fertile, well-drained soil is ideal for the growth of Taro root plants. When planting taro root in a container, mix it with river sand to increase its draining capacity. It is necessary to provide heavy nutrients to taro plants. Compost made from organic materials is the best choice for taro plants. Mix composted or well-rotted manure into the potting mix before adding it to the container.

How to Grow Taro Roots in Greenhouse

Fill the bottom layer of a container with pebbles, gravel, or fine mesh to prevent soil from dripping out.
A gap of at least 2 inches should be left between the surface of the soil and the rim of the container after filling the container with soil mixture.
When planting nursery-bought taro roots, be sure to loosen the soil attached to the roots.
When planting, place Taro tubers and corms approximately 4 inches deep to the soil surface. Also, ensure the bud faces up and the rootlets face down.
Adding pebbles or gravel to the soil surface after planting will fill the container. The purpose of this is to prevent the water from jamming and to make sure the container remains moist.
After planting, the seedling process begins, and the seeds grow to the top of the soil after 10 to 15 days.
Move the container/pot to a warm, sunny location and water the plant after it emerges from the seed. Although Taro thrives in shady areas, it needs warmth to grow quickly and healthily. It is recommended that you mist your plants daily.

Water and Humidity Requirements to Grow Taro Root in Greenhouse

Soil should never be allowed to dry out. Taro plants can grow in water up to 6 inches deep. Suitable for flooded areas in your garden, this plant fills those hard-to-fill spaces well. It is, however, important to keep the tubers dry during the winter so that the plant can go dormant. Water should be frequently supplied to the plant until the excess water drains from the drainage holes.

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Taro plants absorb more water when they are young and drought-resistant when they are older. In addition, overwatering will lead to root rot. It is, therefore, advisable to avoid overwatering. It is best for this plant to be kept in high humidity. Taro leaves can be kept happy indoors with a plant humidifier. If you want to add some extra moisture to the plant, you can also mist it with a spray bottle.

Fertilizing Requirements to Grow Taro Root in Greenhouse

Taro plants require a lot of food and begin feeding as soon as the leaves appear.
Remove some pebbles or gravel from the container’s surface and fertilize the soil with 10-20-10 fertilizer, keeping the pebbles or gravel back. Once the plant grows, fertilize the soil twice or three times with potassium fertilizer.
It is essential to feed the plant with potassium-rich fertilizer once a month. Seaweed solution, compost tea, or comfrey tea may be used.
Provide nitrogen fertilizer to the plant every month in the ratio of 24-8-16. Feed your plants according to the instructions on the fertilizer packet.

Pests and Diseases in Taro Roots Growing in Greenhouse

Taro plants are commonly affected by aphids and red spider mites. Three fungal diseases affect taro plants: taro leaf blight, downy mildew, and taro beetle. Polyurethane, coconut husk, and grass can be used as mulch to control taro beetle and taro leaf blight. A horticulture spray or neem spray can be used to prevent these diseases. Taro leaves can also be treated with a strong stream of water to eliminate aphids. Use organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers to protect plants from fungal diseases.

Propagation of Taro Roots

The best way to propagate this taro plant is by division because flowering is unpredictable. Choose a healthy taro plant and dig it up. Remove the soil from the roots, and you will see the main tuber. Look for mini tubers that sprout off the main one and snap them off. There should already be roots on these little tubers and petiole sprouts. In a medium-sized container or directly in the ground, plant each tuber. The main tuber can be replanted if you leave the leaves intact.

Harvesting Taro Roots

It takes 200 days for taro plants to mature. A taro tuber is formed; the leaves turn yellow and die off. Climate conditions determine the maturity of taro tubers. It is recommended to harvest Taro in autumn at the first sign of frost. Remove them gently from the soil. Taro leaves are edible; you can harvest them as well. The more you cut, the more they grow. During the plant’s growth period, leaves can be harvested.

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Conclusion

Taro has been cultivated as a food crop for centuries in many parts of the world. It is believed that it originated in southeast Asia. The tubers and leaves of this plant are edible. It grows best in swampy, flooded areas and paddy fields. It is the only crop that will grow on flooded land. In addition to growing Taro roots outdoors, you can also grow them indoors all year round. Despite being evergreen, the foliage will likely die if temperatures drop below 21°C.

How to Grow Taro Root in Greenhouse: A Step-By-Step Guide for Seed to Harvest