The roots are long on the elephant ears when I took it out of the pot. Do I cut off the roots?
There is no need to. Root pruning only needs to be done if you are putting it back into the same container and trying to keep it smaller. Otherwise, just repot without disturbing the roots much.
If you are forcing them into dormancy, you will want to wait until all growth is dead before you remove the plants. There will be nothing but dead material to pull off, and sometimes not even that if it is left long enough to fall off. Then you can begin storage. If this is an emergency storage, then you can cut foliage an roots if needed. It is best to let them go naturally if possible, though.
This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/storing-elephant-ear-bulbs.htm
This will help you to grow them, if you choose to winter them as houseplants, instead.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ears-indoors.htm
My potted elephant ear plant is huge, about 7ft tall with circumference of about 6 inches. Can I cut it off at the base and start over? Will cutting it down like a tree kill it? It’s just gotten too big for my house and I can’t transplant it outside, too cold in the winter. I’ve always had it as an indoor plant
You should be fine cutting it down to the base. Those who overwinter their elephant ears cut them back before storage. It should grow new stems.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ear-plants.htm
When my husband pulled the plant out of the ground to transfer to a pot he damaged the stems. Is there any way to remove the stems so that I can save the plant? Thank you Sheila Benard
If these are Colocasia, or the standard Elephant Ear that you would see just about everywhere- They will be just fine. You can snip off the leaves that are damaged. (They are notorious for taking root in the soil if not removed from the area.) Just keep them in moderate to bright light, and make sure the soil remains only slightly moist throughout the recovery period.
These articles will help you to care for these in container: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ears-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ear-plants.htm
I overwatered my colocasia and I’ve just realised part of it has rotten. The main part of the bulb (stem? Not sure what to call it) is mushy on one side, extending up to one of the three smaller parts of the plant. The other two parts and that side of bulb are still firm. Any idea if this can be saved an how? Thank you
That's in a bad spot! It is likely to infect the rest of the plant.
You might try a fungicide, and carefully changing the soil.
These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ears-indoors.htm
How can I tell if this plant will not survive?
Unfortunately, your photo did not come through. I cannot see to identify the issue.
There are a few things that could be wrong, though.
Usually, if this is in container, this is caused by lack of nutrients. They are semi heavy feeders, and like to be fed a few times per year.
If this is in ground, I would look more to environmental factors that are leading to a decline.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ear-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/elephant-ear-plant-types.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/elephant-ear-plant-diseases.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/alocasia-plant/growing-african-mask-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/alocasia-plant/fertilizing-alocasia-plants.htm
Noticed some soft spots on my elephant ear blub, will it go ahead and grow.
If the mushy spot is at the top of the bulb where the plant will emerge, it's okay to gently remove the softened spot with a clean blade, treat it with neem oil or a fungicide and let it dry out a bit. If the mushy spot is on other parts of the bulb, it should probably be disposed of. Here's an article that may be helpful:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/bgen/flower-bulb-shelf-life.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ear-plants.htm
My elephant ear plant is leaking water from the leaves
This can happen for a few reasons. Usually, leaky plants indicate insect infestations. There can be other issues, such as humidity, or temperature but usually leaking is a sign that it is being attacked.
Here is an article that will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/sticky-plant-leaves.htm