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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/20/2008
Posts: 1
Location: Sydney Mines,NS,Canada
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I need information on how to control "Elephant Ears"Click the link for details. Elephant Ears
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/14/2008
Posts: 207
Location: Ankeny, Iowa
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Elephant ears are bulbs and can be easily controlled by digging up the plant and dividing in half. Replant what you want and give away what you don't want.
Operational Manager at Earl May Nursery and Garden Center in Ames, Iowa Visit my latest website Midwestern Plants
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/30/2008
Posts: 7
Location: Arkansas
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JustMe could you be a bit more specific? I have questions as follows:
In Zone 7, Arkansas.
When is the best time to dig the bulbs and divide?
Do I replant the divisions immediately or let them dry over winter and plant in Spring?
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/14/2008
Posts: 207
Location: Ankeny, Iowa
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In warmer climates such as Zone 8, you can simply dig up and divide Elephant Ears at any time and replant them immediately. In colder climates, Elephant ears should be dug up in the fall and divided and replanted in the spring. Edited because upon further research changed hardiness zone for leaving plant outside.
Operational Manager at Earl May Nursery and Garden Center in Ames, Iowa Visit my latest website Midwestern Plants
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/30/2008
Posts: 7
Location: Arkansas
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JustMe, thank you for info....of course there is always just one more question isn't there?
My Elephant Ears are showing only the slightest frost damage to a couple of "ears" on each plant, otherwise the stalks (not sure correct terminology) are still green and healthy. Should I cut them off just above the ground or wait for them to die back before digging and dividing the bulbs?
And if I choose not to divide....what then? Do I leave them for nature to prune to ground level or should I cut them back before they get more frost damage?
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/14/2008
Posts: 207
Location: Ankeny, Iowa
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Diana wrote:JustMe, thank you for info....of course there is always just one more question isn't there?
My Elephant Ears are showing only the slightest frost damage to a couple of "ears" on each plant, otherwise the stalks (not sure correct terminology) are still green and healthy. Should I cut them off just above the ground or wait for them to die back before digging and dividing the bulbs?
And if I choose not to divide....what then? Do I leave them for nature to prune to ground level or should I cut them back before they get more frost damage? Upon further research, Only in Zones 8 + can Elephant ears be left in the ground, In Zones 1-7, Elephant Ears need to be dug up and brought inside the house to grow or dug up and allowed the bulbs to go dormant. When digging them up, place the bulbs in a cool, dry location. When doing this it is best to simply dig it up, making sure that all soil is thouroughly removed from the bulb. When storing them, place them in a shed or garage where it is cool but no threat of freezing temperatures. Place the bulbs either in vermiculite to help keep excess moisture from rotting the bulb. When the treat of freezing temperatures are one, replant the bulbs outside. If placing the bulbs inside, make sure it is in a location that it gets signifigant light and away from heat ducts, fireplaces or drafts from outside. As for your question, if you bring them inside I would go ahead and divide them now and trim off any leaves that got frosted. If you decide to let them go dormant, I would wait on dividing them until spring.
Operational Manager at Earl May Nursery and Garden Center in Ames, Iowa Visit my latest website Midwestern Plants
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