Dry and cool will work for both. Don't freak out if they try to start growing in February. Just keep them away from light and they should do fine. The only time I refrigerate is when I want to start something earlier than when the ground warms up normally. I have just removed(last week) Amaryllis from fridge and potted up for Christmas blooms. I have also put Mandevilla, Angel Trumpets, Bananas and Musaenda in garage(unheated) for winter storage. They will go dormant but stay alive and well for earlier start in spring.

There is a lot of conflicting information online about how to overwinter Colocasia/Alocasia/Xanthosomas. (As far as the bulb drying part goes) Some sites say wait until the first frost to pull up so that the plant knows to go dormant and send the nutritients down to the bulb and some places say to pull it up before the first frost or it will kill the plant. Which is it? Or maybe it doesn't really matter since both ways seems to work for people. I have Colocasia Esculenta Black Magic and it's outside in high 40's low 50's right now and it's still sending up new leaves so maybe I should wait until first frost? Also the drying part I'm a bit perplexed about. Do you let them dry OUTSIDE until they are dry or bring them inside to dry? It's in the 40's here in central Ohio now so not sure if I should leave outside with the bulb fully exposed. How long does it take to dry? Do I cut everything off except for the actual bulb itself? (roots, leaves etc) Does anyone know if there is some sort of online visual tutorial or video somewhere? Sorry for all the questions but I want to make sure I get it right so I can enjoy this plant for years to come. p.s. I already saw aphids on it outside multiple times after using an organic insecticide so there is no way I'm bringing it into the house still in dirt! :)

I am in the Fort Worth Area - I have never fertilized mine - if I did, I'm afraid I might not be able to get to my front door anymore -lol Mine face north - but I have a friend in the area whos EE face west and do well also with the shade of a tree inbetween them and the evening sun. ~Angie~ paxetamor: most people use photobucket.com to post photos - I do. You create an account for free with them, upload your pictures to their site and then under each picture there are 3 links...use the 2nd option HTML TAG - jjust copy and paste it into the body of your post on here and when you hit preview - your picture will be there!!!

I'm in zone 6 Pa and mine is in its third summer. It is planted in a very dry area in full sun. Gets watered about once a week, if I remember, and has multiplied to around 15 plants. It sends out runners that form tubers at the ends that root. I have cut off three in the past week and potted them up with the tip just showing at the top of the soil. I want to see how quickly they root and start leafing out. Great plant, not near as large as regular elephant ears, but it's nice not to have to worry about bringing it in for the winter. Oh, by the way, it is planted next to my basjoo clump which is about 15 years old!