A friend gave me a division of an upright elephant ear plant. It now has 4 leaves and 2 flowers. It is in a container. Will new leaves come after the flowers die and are cut? We live in the highlands of Mexico, the tropics, and this plant is grown successfully.
Here is an article that will discuss how to harvest the elephant ear flower seeds:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/alocasia-plant/elephant-ear-seed-pods.htm
And, yes, the elephant ear will continue to grow after these flower seeds are harvested. The plants send out side shoots at the base of the plant.
For more information on growing elephant ear, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ear-plants.htm
Is there any way to reduce the length of an elephant ear trunk or base? I have two elephant ears. I take them in during the fall and winter in planters and I plant them outside in the spring and summer. One of my elephant ears has a long trunk at the base of the foliage, about 2 feet long. Is there any way that I can reduce the length of the trunk and still save the plant?
There really is no fix for this outside of "starting over". After this growing season outside, I would cut it to the ground, dig up and overwinter the tuber and replant next spring and hope for a better growth pattern.
For more information on elephant ear plant, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ear-plants.htm
Central Texas - I need to move my elephant ears and they have already begun to come out of their winter dormancy. Is it too late to move them without killing them?
No, not too late. We just dug some E-Ears from the woods and brought them home. When you put them in your new place, just water the heck out of them first few days. Ours are doing well
Bought jumbo (not the giant size) elephant ears last spring. They were big then and whenever they would make a new leaf, it was also big. This spring they came up and are not jumbo sized but much smaller. Do I need to fertilize them or do they need to be more mature before they will grow bigger?
Certainly environmental issues may and will effect how the bulbs produce. The cold winter suffered across nearly the entire United States this past winter may have impacted the bulbs. You can apply a slow release fertilizer to the soil.
Did they winter over in the ground or did you store them?
Here are a couple of great articles.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/storing-elephant-ear-bulbs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ear-plants.htm
Trying to plant an edging of them on part of my yard that is a sitting area.
The general rule of thumb is to plant them three feet apart.
For more information on growing elephant ear, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ear-plants.htm
Why are elephant ears leaves yellowing then browning and dying? I bought the elephant ear plant for total sun area. Transplanted it in a larger pot and placed in the sun. Now the leaves (one at a time, seemingly) started yellowing, browning and finally dying.
The first thing I would recommend is double-checking that the specific needs of the elephant ear plant are being met by reviewing the following articles:
Tips For Growing Elephant Ear Plants:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ear-plants.htm
How To Grow Elephant Ears Indoors
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ears-indoors.htm
Then, you will want to review the following article which discusses why plant leaves turn yellow - it will ask you to consider whether you are under or over-watering your plant, to examine your plant for insects, evaluate the lighting the plant receives, etc.
Find Out Why Plant Leaves Turn Yellow:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plant-leaves-turn-yellow.htm
Lastly, here is an article specific to the elephant ear plant regarding leaves with brown edges:
Elephant Ear With Brown Edges: Why Do Elephant Ear Plants Get Brown On Edge:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/elephant-ear-brown-edges.htm
When storing elephant ears bulbs/tubers for the winter, should the roots and foliage be removed? Any advice would be appreciated.
Trim the stem/foliage back to about 3 inches from above the bulb. This article will help you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/elephant-ear/storing-elephant-ear-bulbs.htm