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Top Questions About Elephant Ear Plants

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Questions About Elephant Ear Plants

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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    March 15, 2014
    Certified Expert
    A.

    You want to wait until the soil warms up. The easiest way (and this will sound a bit odd) is when you can stick your hand or finger all the way into the soil and keep it there for the count of 10. If the soil is still too cold, you will not be able to do it.

    Typically the soil will be warm enough around the time that night time temps regularly stay above 50F.

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 16, 2014
    Certified Expert
    A.

    They only need to be watered when the soil is dry and do not require as much during cooler conditions as oppsed to warmer ones (which allows the soil to dry quicker). If there is white growth, this is likely mold popping up, which basically means that it is too wet. Back off on the watering. Once the temps warm back up, you can resume your regular watering schedule.

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  • Answered by
    theficuswrangler on
    April 3, 2014
    A.

    To begin with, here's an article containing some info on elephant eat that you might not know: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/storing-elephant-ear-bulbs.htm
    The tubers should be planted blunt end down. That being said, it's hard to know how much of the important growing parts of your tubers were damaged. I would plant them all, and see what happens.

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  • Answered by
    theficuswrangler on
    April 10, 2014
    A.

    Elephant ear is generally considered a tropical plant, and is not recommended for winters with freezing weather. However, there are some varieties that are cold hardy. If you have one of these, this article explains something about their culture:http://lee.ces.ncsu.edu/2009/06/bending-ears/
    You'll need to wait and see if the one you have now survived the winter. It should send up a new sprout from the tuber if it did. if you lose it and want to try one again, this article will tell you how to overwinter them: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/storing-elephant-ear-bulbs.htm

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    April 20, 2014
    Certified Expert
    A.

    You can put them directly outdoors as long as the temps are warm enough. These plants can also be successfully grown in containers, but be sure to provide adequate drainage so the bulbs do not become waterlogged and rot. Here is an article that should help as well: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ear-plants.htm

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    November 30, -0001
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Yes, elephant ear plants can actually make exceptional houseplants given the proper care. Indoors, they require indirect sunlight most of the day, but even outdoors they enjoy some shade, so semi-bright, indirect light should be fine. Colocasia thrive with lots of humidity too, so mist the plant daily. This is actually more important than the amount of sunlight - too much sun will scorch the leaves. Keep the plant moist, not wet, watering when the top 1/2 inch or so of soil feels dry to the touch. Use a balanced fertilizer (at half strength) every couple weeks, until the onset of winter to allow the plant to go dormant. If desired, you may allow the plant to spend summer outside (on the patio, if feasible), bringing it in before cold weather. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ears-indoors.htm

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