Upright elephant ear-Ways to propagate
kristirob
11 years ago
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kayjones
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Office Baby - Giant Elephant Ear
Comments (10)This is an Alocasia macrorrhizos, they don't have "bulbs". Bulbs are like onions whereas these have tubers. As was already mentioned, these plants are leaning towards the light, and the stems would be thinner/weaker because of the low light and lower temperatures than what's natural for it. The whole stem is part of the tuber and in the South Pacific they're grown as food. But it takes special preparation to get the toxicity out of them. The above ground stem can get taller than a person and the leaves quite huge, if you have a suitable climate. But your existing stems will remain curved. They propagate very easily. If you put many in the one pot that will slow down their growth just through competition. But also they'll develop thinner and weaker stems. They'll try to grow away from one another and towards maximum light. The fewer you have together the stronger and straighter the stems should be, if you balance the light. All a bit of a juggling act....See MorePurchased 2 elephant ears tubers today
Comments (19)Thank you to everyone who has posted any info regarding elephant ears....I actually picked up a large 'bulb' this afternoon at the local garden center ($7)....and a lovely large pot to grow it in..then I saw them later in Wal-mart....a bit smaller, for $3.00!...I absolutely love the many pictures some of you have posted!...this is my first experience and if it goes well, I will definitely look forward to finding the newer choices out there for next year. I read the instructions...they say to bury 2 inches deep in soil....but the pictures posted where they are only half buried and seeing them sprout...well that's what I'll start with.....wonder if I should start in a smaller pot first...or go straight to the large one which will grace my 3 x 3 'deck'...or actually the landing before entering the house!..would anyone know whether soaking the elephant ears corm in warm water first as we do for large amaryllis bulbs, give them a "jump" start? Thanks for your help...See MoreUpright Elephant Ears Hardiness Q.
Comments (5)Broomhildah, they are "root hardy" here in Birmingham. I always cut them down, fill a large black, plastic flower pot with chopped leaves and cap it upside down over the stumps for protection. Here it always comes back. I remove the pot of leaves around April 1. If frost threatens, I cover it with a flower pot. Next year, when frost time comes, just break off a few of the side shoots that come off the old trunk and plant them for plants to share with friends. If you plant your large one now, it will have time to become established before winter. Now, about the top. Cut it off near the ground after planting. The stump will put out new plants all around itself. Cut remaining stump to an appropriate length and stick it down into a large pot, maybe a 5 gallon bucket with drain holes. Place it in the shade. You will never know by looking that it was ever removed from the mother plant. It will root and you have another plant. If you have leftover stump pieces, I would stick them in a pot of soil and I believe they may root as well. Feel free to email me if you have more questions....See MoreAlocasia Odora (Upright Elephants Ears)
Comments (11)Since the tuber is still dormant, there is a very strong risk of it rotting if it is planted directly out into the garden. Once it has developed a good root system it can cope with large volumes of compost or soil. At this stage there is a likelihood of it remaining too moist for too long. It needs to be actively growing first. By planting in a comparatively small pot, it is easier to control moisture levels and encourage a strong root system. Once that has formed, it can go into a much larger container. I would also be very cautious about leaving it outside for winter even if protected. The problem is unlikely to be with the light, very occasional frosts experienced here in Devon, but once plant is forced into dormancy by cold weather, the tubers may survive only to fail due bacterial rot encouraged by the the lack of real heat in spring. Alocasia odora is not as hardy as A. macrorrhizos and that species is difficult enough to encourage into growth without decent heat. It doesn't surprise me that A. odora retains its foliage at 3 or 4C - it does that here. However, at those temperatures, the species is very close to its margin of tolerance and a drop of a few more degrees causes dormancy. I do agree though that an established well-rooted plant will relish plenty of fertiliser throughout the growing season and copious watering coupled with summer heat will encourage rapid, strong growth. But, the plant needs to be growing first....See Morekristirob
11 years agoTiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years agoGardeningZen
11 years agoTiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years agoCarol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
11 years ago
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Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL