Yellow Taro

Question
I live in a zone 6 in NJ. What winter care do I give the Yellow Taro plants in my outdoor pond

Answer
You're in luck!  This is a fairly simple process.  You will be storing the bulb and not the whole plant.

1-Gently dig the bulb out of the ground with a fork or a small spade. (do this once the leaves begin to yellow.

2-Clean them by removing all the soil and rinsing them in water.

3-Place them in a dry place away from sunlight and wind for one to two days.

4-Sort the bulbs, cutting away shriveled or diseased portions.

5-Cut off the leaves, flowers, and stems.  Leave the roots attached to the bulbs.

6-Fill a paper bag partially with sand, sawdust, peat moss, or something else if you prefer.  Dampen it slightly.  Fill the rest of the bag with your planting medium, covering the bulb.  Fold the bag shut but do not seal it.  Label the bag.

7-Store them at approximately 50 degrees F in a dry place.  This can include a basement or garage, so long as the temperature never reaches freezing.

8-Check on them every so often.  Throw away any bulbs that shrivel.  Cut off any mold that forms.

9-If the bags become moldy, replace them.  If the bulbs begin to wrinkle (or shrink), mist the paper bag with a spray bottle.

10-For a head start, you may pot them and keep them indoors for a few weeks.  Re-plant them outside after the threat of frost is gone.