Hi Mangogirl ,
I had the same experience last year when I purchased two plants from the “Royal Hawaiian Colocasia Collection”. One a small “Hilo Bay” the other a very small "Blue Hawaii”. The Hilo Bay took off right away, but the Blue seemed to be struggling and never looked very happy like something was missing. It wasn’t too long before I noticed it was starting to acquire a growing numbers of aphids and when new foliage grew out it always looked damaged. It barely made it through the winter in protected quarters. I ended up taking it in the house because I was sure it would rot before it came out of dormancy if I didn’t. I fought the aphids on it last winter, while in the house, and now this spring outside. Time for drastic measures, Last week I pulled it out of the pot it had been in for the last 10 months washed about half of the dirt in the root ball off and placed it back in the same container adding a commercial acidic soil blend. Then I proceeded to soak it thoroughly. I really didn’t know if it would live through the trauma or not! Two days later it not only looked happier, it changed from a dark musky green color it had always been, to a real vibrant light green. I was shocked at the color change also, that there were no aphids that I could see on the plant what so ever. Now, I have noticed this year the ants are trying to “farm” some very large burnt blades on a couple Colocasia plants that were stressed during the time (a couple days) I was adjusting their new foggers to get the volume right. Based on these two observations, I conclude that when plants are stressed that insects somehow must zero in on the plant’s weakened condition for a quick meal. I’m quite sure if I could ask LariAnn (PLEASE) to comment on my observations I will learn more on the subject, do insects in fact “feel” a stressed plant is in trouble?. I have many other Colocasia and Alocasias and have only seen this one time before (on a Black Magic) that was thoroughly stressed out and declining rapidly just before the first frost last year. After dormancy it started growing quickly without the aphid problem. I hope this may have helped you in some way with your problem solving process, Good Luck!
