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What to do about elephant ears?

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Posted by RyseRyse_2004 5 (My Page) on
Wed, Sep 18, 13 at 9:49

I think that is what I have. I got a mixture of lily bulbs a few years ago and in that pack were three huge bulbs. They turned out to be elephant ears, I am pretty sure.

I understand they are not winter hardy in Z5, so what do I do? After the leaves yellow, I will dig them up --- then what? Can I grow them indoors as a house plant?

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RE: What to do about elephant ears?

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I would store them in a cool place until the soil warms in the spring, then replant, about the same time you plant corn and beans. EE bulbs will rot in cold wet soil. Al

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RE: What to do about elephant ears?

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You can overwinter them as a house plant, but move and pot them before the leaves yellow.

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RE: What to do about elephant ears?

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I always dug them up, washed off the bulb/root end and put them, leaves still attached, on a rack in the basement for the winter. In late January I usually removed the leaves (which are dry and crumbly by then) and potted up the root/bulb in 12" pots and put them in a sunny window to get them started growing again. That way, by the time it's warm enough to move them to big pots outdoors in spring (I never planted them in the ground), they were good-sized plants so they made a nice show very fast. I didn't bother planting them this year as I've been cutting back on pots, but they are beautiful plants in pots.

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RE: What to do about elephant ears?

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Our Master Gardeners' group has a committee that collects the leaves to make concrete leaves that we sell at our garden tours. I keep growing them in the hopes that I'll get around to making some...I'd better make up my mind pretty quick!

One year, I actually pressed an elephant ear leaf. Now THAT is a challenging leaf to press! Using loads and loads of newspaper and boxes of books we had in the basement, I set it and forgot it. Several months later, I had a look and it was beautiful. Before I got around to framing it, though, we got water in the basement, and the leaf became...rehydrated.

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RE: What to do about elephant ears?

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Delete duplicate.

This post was edited by MulchMama on Fri, Sep 20, 13 at 15:35

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RE: What to do about elephant ears?

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I have read that elephant ears kept as houseplants might drip a bit from the leaves. FYI so you can be prepared.

Last year I kept the bulbs in a pail of water over the winter. The roots continue to grow as will some leaves. While that kept them from drying out I am simplifying and this fall will store them in a paper bag like I do calla lilies and dahlias in a cool dark room. I have done that before and haven't lost any.

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RE: What to do about elephant ears?

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Let them go dormant. These plants are spider mite magnets if grown indoors over winter.

Kevin

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RE: What to do about elephant ears?

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There are different types of "elephant ears," and the best way to overwinter depends on the type in addition to your zone.

The link below has lots of good information on overwintering.

Here is a link that might be useful: Plant Delights guide to overwintering elephant ears

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