Dig down 2-3 feet (61-91 cm.) This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Growing the plant in ponds is quite simple and since the pond ensures a consistent supply of water, you won't need to worry about that either. The sunnier the spot, the more you'll have to water the plant to prevent the soil from drying out. To increase a soils pH, sprinkle a little garden lime or limestone into the soil. Then, when its warm enough, transfer them to your garden. Keep the temperature in the range of 70 . If youre growing bulbs in containers, water when the top inch of soil feels dry. It is named after the volcanic cone on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, which makes sense because both the cone and the plant are black and lustrous. In colder climates, you can grow elephant ear plants in the ground as annuals. If a plant isnt getting enough sun, youll notice the leaves turning yellow. This works best in a dry, dark space that stays around 50 degrees. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. How to Plant, Care For, and Harvest Ginger at Home, How to Plant, Grow, & Harvest Your Own Garlic at Home, How to Easily Grow Chillies at Home from Seeds. At this point, you should think about changing your plants conditions. Visit our corporate site. Now dig 8 to 10 inches of soil in your pond and plant the Elephant year. Using a raised bed or installing a drainage system in your garden can help avoid overwatering. The secret to planting elephant ear bulbs is to plant them outdoors in the spring. Reaching up to 6ft (1.8m) high this fast-growing plant grows from a bulb and, most commonly, bears its striking deep green foliage on jet black stems, each beautifully marked with deep purple veins and blotches. Note that a healthy elephant ear tuber will feel firm and heavy, and have a dry exterior. You can discard the leaves or keep them to wrap the bulbs in for storage. It's striking alongside ponds where its massive leaves create beautiful reflections in the water. Picture 1 of 4. Add houseplant types of elephant's ear to end tables, desktops, and mantels for a touch of tropical plant life indoors. Water outdoor elephant's ear plants regularly. A liquid houseplant fertilizer with a 20-20-20 formulation is recommended during the growing season for your alocasia. Elephant ear plants are less likely to come back a 100% from a fungal attack. Elephant ear growth is more affected by fungal or bacterial diseases than by insect infestation. Place tubers in a dry container like a cardboard box, and set in a cool room that stays above freezing, like a garage. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, shes specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. This tropical plant is eye-catching in a garden. Prevent Elephant Ears from Taking Over Your Garden. The Alocasia Portora is a very distinctive plant that is hard to miss. Cold climate gardeners can also grow elephant's ear as an annual, purchasing new plants each year. Alocasia amazonica is a tropical plant featuring large, leathery arrowhead leaves in olive green, bronze, or maroon. Fill the pot to three quarters and plant a bulb with the nub end up and root disc down so the top is around 1in (2.5cm) deep. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. . Popular indoors and outdoors, this tropical plant makes an eye-catching statement no matter where it is planted. The ideal soil for Alocasia elephant ear plants should be well-draining, fertile, and rich in organic matter. Plant the tubers in pots and grow them a warm, sunny window. By using our site, you agree to our. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Typically, the bulbs should be 2 to 4ft (60 to 122cm) apart if you are growing plants together, but this does depend on the variety, so always check the needs of the particular plant. If possible, plant elephant's ear in a location where it receives morning sunlight and afternoon shade. As a result, it would grow at a rate that was nearly or exactly the same as before the infestation. unlocking this expert answer. Elephant ear bulbs can be grown as flower bed ideas, or in containers, and in zones 9 to 11 can be grown as perennials while in zones 3 to 8 theyre typically treated as annuals. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The best soil for the bulb is rich in organic matter. Elephant ears need a constant supply of water. When doing so, be careful not to cut or nick the tubers with digging tools as any damage can cause a bulb not to grow the following season, says Brody Hall. Fertilize indoor plants with a houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer and cease fertilizing in fall and winter. Some people grow them in water, but not all varieties do well that way. Support wikiHow by This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. To dig the bulbs, use a garden fork or spade to carefully dig around the edges of the plant. They weaken stems and leaves. and dont forget to water at least once every two weeks. Because you can deal with an infestation at any time and restore your elephant ear plant to its former glory with little effort. If you notice that one is rotting, throw it away so it doesnt spread to the others. Elephant plant ears need warm soil to sprout, so you can consider using heat mats. Heres how it works. Elephant ears are actually a group of plants scientifically known as Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma. This elephant ear plant grows best in partial sun to keep the color of leaves vibrant. You can do this by using a humidifier, misting with a spray bottle, or surrounding your elephant ear plant with more plants. She has more than 25 years of experience in horticulture. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Since youll already be digging up your plant, this is a great time to separate the new tubers. Elephant ear plants can be grown from seed and perform best in USDA hardiness zones of 8 to 10; they can be overwintered in zone 7 with the help of a thick winter mulch, says Marc Hachadourian, the director of glasshouse horticulture and senior curator of orchids at The New York Botanical Garden. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. [3] Plant corms 2-4 feet apart, 4-6 inches deep in moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Most prefer bright sunlight, unless grown in extremely hot, low humidity climates, where some light shade will be necessary.Elephant ears should be planted slightly deeper than they grow in the pot, or when planting . Both soil and water are excellent environments for elephant ear development, but the soil is far superior. Plant an elephant's ear bulb when the temperature ranges from 60F to 85F. Note: Ensure to water frequently during the summer (2 to 3 times per week). Large heart-shaped leaves make elephant ears colocasia, alocasia and xanthosoma an appealing choice as a focal plant or grouped together. Preferably, soils that are rich in organic matter are ideal for elephant ears, says Brody. An outdoor planted elephant ear plant peaks at 8 feet. Because of the cold atmosphere, moisture escapes the soil much slower during the winter. Some darker leaf varieties will tolerate full sun, although most elephant ears will do best in partial shade or filtered sunlight; too much sun can cause the leaves to scorch, while too much shade will result in leggy plants., As for the soil? How to Build an Elevated Deck: Design to Completion, Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/dividing-elephant-ears.htm, https://www.longfield-gardens.com/article/all-about-elephant-ears, https://www.mydomaine.com/alocasia-care-4771420, https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/tools-and-equipment/disinfecting-tools.html, https://blog.leonandgeorge.com/posts/how-to-care-and-grow-elephants-ear, https://plantcaretoday.com/elephant-ears-plant.html, http://www.gardenersnet.com/bulbs/elephantears.htm, http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/12261.shtml, https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/elephant-ear.html. Our largest elephant ear with elongated obsidian leaves have a commanding presence Tender Perennial; Bold and Striking Foliage Reminiscent of Elephant Ears Perfect Choice for Focal Point or Creating a Tropical-Style Garden; Grows All Summer Until Frost Thrives and Prefers Partial Shade About Features Life Cycle Perennial Planting Season Spring . How to Grow an Elephant Ear Plant Indoors, How to Grow Ginger Root Indoors in 4 Simple Steps. Bring the plants indoors when nighttime temperatures average about 55F and well before the first frost arrives. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. The best fertilizer is liquid fertilizer 10-10-10. And the best way to do this is to fill the pot halfway with water and then let it dry. The Elephant Ear plant is very easy . Elephant ears require a lot of water, especially when theyre first planted. When it comes to reviving an elephant ear plant that has been overfed, the first step is to remove the excess fertilizers. Because early and mid-summer are where most of the growing takes place. This method is helpful during dormancy (winter) as instead of feeding dead veins and leaves; your elephant ear plant can grow in spring and summer. Although, as long as the plant has adequate water, they will tolerate a wide range of soil types. In colder climates, it can be planted in containers that are moved inside in winter. Soil and Water The elephant ear grows either from a specialized bulb called a corm or from an underground stem, or rhizome, depending on the type. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.
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