Elephant Ears...which way is up?
Fleur
17 years ago
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calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
17 years agocveti_bety
17 years agoRelated Discussions
WANTED: Follow-up from Green Elephant Plant Swap
Comments (3)Did I meet Lawrence and Daisy? I can't keep real names/screennames straight anyway. This is a wonderful semi-annual event and one of the best turnouts I've seen. I'm motivated to get ready for the Spring swap now myself! One word on the March Green Elephant- be prepared for rain, just in case..... Last year we got lucky with only overcast skies. Very nice to meet all the GWebbers I did see today. And Thanks to Mr. Erickson, I think, for the mystical worm tea. Works wonders!...See MoreElephant ears - shoud I trim back and dig up bulbs before frost?
Comments (7)Welcome to Gardenweb! On elephant ears, I think most people wait until frost kills the tops and then wait for a nice day to dig them up. Don't worry about it hurting your bulbs. They can stand some pretty cold temperatures and even this far north (Springfield area), they will sometimes return if you leave them in the ground all winter. But - when mine have made it through the winter in the ground, they didn't grow as well the next summer. I think they do better when I dig them up and store them. I have stored mine both in an unheated garage and also in my basement closet which is cool but not cold and they did fine both places. If you search this forum for elephant ears, you will find more info. Some people dig a hole to store theirs but our ground is rocky and I've never tried that. It's too much work to dig....See Morerunning elephant ears
Comments (1)Well, er.....they are different in that they RUN, they don't CLUMP. "Elephant ears" is a generic term for a large group of plants in the Aroid family that includes, but is not LIMITED to, COlocasia, Alocasia and Xanthosoma. I list only these 3, because they are the 3 top "elephant ears" sold to and grown by the mass gardening market under that global description. Other aroids that may resemble "elephant ears" include plants like calla lilies, anthuriums, philodendrons, caladiums, amorphophallus, etc etc To my knowledge, the only "elephant ears" that run are some of the colocasias. Alocasias clump, they don't generally run. Some Xanthosomas will run a limited amount UNDER the soil, but not OVER the soil. Colocasia fontanesii, most of the colocasia escuelenta hybrids (Black Runner, Yellow SPlash, Fallax, Green Goddess, Chicago Harlequin etc), Colocasia antiquorum Illustris (Imperial Taro), Colocasia nancyana "Nancy's Revenge" all run, meaning that to multiply they send out stems that crawl along the top of the ground and root at intervals and send up new plants. Colocasia dwarf Jenningsii also runs. "Black Magic" is a colocasia escuelenta hybrid that clumps and doesn't run. Other escuelentas that clump are "Elepaio" (aka Milky Way) and Black Marble. ALocasias are grown from bulblike tubers and they clump. Alocasia macrorhiza, ALocasia odora, ALocasia plumbea nigra, ALocasia portea, ALocasia culcullata, ALocasia wentii, and a ton of others, and crosses like "Portodora", offset by sending out small bulblets UNDER the ground that sprout and come up along side the parent a SHORT distance away. Many are trunk forming as well in warm climates. Xanthosomas (sagitifolia, aurea "Lime Zinger", violacea, Mickey Mouse, etc) also clump like alocasias do. You can Google any of these names and see photos online at lots of places....See Morenew: pp's august rainbow elephant swap
Comments (60)HELLOOOOOOOOOO! I've been missing in action and I'm really sorry about it. I've been busy, busy, but now can communicate with everyone while I am on the road cause I'm going to invested in a Blackberry. Right now I have a loaner for a couple of weeks to see how I like it. It is an older model, and does not take pictures but I love the idea that I can access the internet while not at home. I've been working both my jobs, went to Greenbay/Wrightown, Wisconsin to pick up Shelby and Deanna's two Boston Terriers on the 24th of July. I can't say I enjoyed getting out of the Ohare airport and going through the Port of Milwaukee was no picnic either. Oh lord, I could have never done it without the GPS a friend let me borrow. So, while Shelby and DeAnna are celebrating the 7th year that Shelby is in remission on the beaches of Antigua. I get the pleasure of watching the two little devils. I love them, but garden dogs they are NOT. The weather has been great and we've been able to shut off the central air and enjoy opening the windows. But, the little devils whine, cry, bark, and run from window to window and I can hear them even when I'm way out back. Needless to say this drives me nuts, and don't get me started with how bad they terrorize my cats. Will I be glad to take them back? OH LORD YES! The idea of skipping August sounds good to me. This will give me time to get caught up on more boxes. Speaking of boxes Alana and Sassy what kind of fragrance DO YOU NOT LIKE. I only have one of the Pillow talk and would hate to send something you guys didn't want or use. Kat, Welcome, and glad to hear you are doing well with your shoulder surgery. I would love to see pics of your Great Danes, they are wonderful dogs! Vic, I wish I could help you out with a cat, but........I'm sorry,as much as love ya. Would I drive cross country to bring you on? NO,NO,NO! You say Why? (see above for my trip through Chicago and Milwaukee. Crazy drivers, the speed limit says 65 and these people are going 90. Trust me, if you don't keep up with the flow they will run you over. I just about had a semi up my you know what. I believe I used several new cuss words. Tracy did I see you say you blew up Alana's garden. Now what could Alana possibly do to have you do that? Or should I ask? Sassy, I tell you what, I will trade you Kensie for two little angels for a week. HeLLO to everyone else. I miss you all! This is my only day off and I am leaving for Chicago Friday then Shelby will drive from the airport to his house. I will be coming back on the 9th. Work three days then I'll be off except for doing my part time job a few hours each day for a week. I need some coffee!! LIFE IS GOOD, Annie...See Morecveti_bety
17 years agocalistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
17 years agocveti_bety
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calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9