View Full Version : Elephant Ears
conejov
04-24-2009, 09:38 AM
Hey Guys,
I just bought a EE bulb from Wallyworld, and this might be a dumb question but I dont know which way to plant the bulb it looks like its already trying to poke out but I dont know if its the root or the leaves.. Yes I know Im alittle absent minded in the morning.
Michael_Andrew
04-24-2009, 09:41 AM
Top has the rings.
conejov
04-24-2009, 10:01 AM
hmm Ok the side with the the rings is the side that has something coming out of it. the other side looks like its where they cut it. Ill try the ring side up and see what happens.
conejov
04-24-2009, 10:16 AM
this is the side with rings I think.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC03283.jpg
This is the side that I think looks cut off.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/llorona/Garden/DSC03284.jpg
Michael_Andrew
04-24-2009, 10:22 AM
This shows the rings on top:
http://www.bulbblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/elephant-ear-top-150x150.jpg
Your top photo is the top. Like you said its already sprouting. I just planted about 5 this morning myself.
Michael
conejov
04-24-2009, 10:25 AM
Thanks That helps alot.
Bananaman88
04-24-2009, 11:45 AM
Your first photo is the top-that's the growing point with the first leaf getting ready to emerge. Looks like regular Colocasia esculenta. This time next year you'll have several of these most likely.
lorax
04-24-2009, 11:47 AM
I hope you didn't pay too much for it at Mall-Wart, Alex. They're quite cheap at oriental grocery stores.
I hope you didn't pay too much for it at Mall-Wart, Alex. They're quite cheap at oriental grocery stores.
Good timely tip. I'll have to see what they're getting for them this week. Don't really NEEDany but, you know how it is.
conejov
04-24-2009, 04:19 PM
I hope you didn't pay too much for it at Mall-Wart, Alex. They're quite cheap at oriental grocery stores.
Nah, I didnt pay too much it was $3.00 so not really a big expense I only bought one bulb just to see what happens. if it does well then I might consider getting more.
conejov
04-24-2009, 04:20 PM
when I was trying to look them up. I see they are called TARO ROOT in the grocery stores. so now i know for next time.
conejov
04-24-2009, 06:15 PM
I know my is starting to sprout but how long does it usually take for the leaves to fully sprout?
Michael_Andrew
04-24-2009, 06:24 PM
Kinda depends on the soil temp. If you pot it up and keep it at around 80 degrees you should have a leaf in about a week. At 60 which is my soil temp right now it kinda goes dormant.
Michael
Oh I just saw you were in Houston (crazy drivers). Throw it in the ground in a sunny spot and you should have a leaf in a week or so.
conejov
04-24-2009, 07:44 PM
I put it in a pot for now untill it grows alittle. then I will replant it into the ground.
buzzwinder
04-24-2009, 09:12 PM
Hi Alex,
I bought the package of three smaller EE's at Wallyworld the other day for $3.00, Planted them this morning before seeing your post, not sure which way I put them in the ground. Wish I would have checked here before planting as now they have been watered in really well, don't want to dig back up, I think I got it right though. At our local Wallyworld they had a few of the bigger rhizomes but none had any growth on them and actually felt rather dry. Time will tell as to whether I put'em in right, but if not, it's only $3.00. I also planted 11 Canna rhizomes from last year and have about 15 more to find a spot for. Thanks for posting your question. I've learned something more about another tropical. Allways appreciated. :bananas_b
conejov
04-24-2009, 09:30 PM
No problem. I almost planted it before posting... but then decided to ask here since everyone is very knowledgeable about alot other plants here too.
Michael_Andrew
04-25-2009, 07:00 AM
Well Buzz if you planted them upside down that's gonna look funny with the roots growing up outta the ground. I think it will still do fine even if upside down. It'll figure it out. One trick is if your not sure which end is up to plant it on its side.
I planted several last year really early. It was in about 50 percent shady area. Most rotted in the ground. So I would recommend waiting till the soil warms up or start them in pots. Even in pots this year I've had to provide some heat to get them going. We keep the temp at 72 day and it kicks back to 62 at night. At those temps it just seems like they will never sprout. Get the soil temp up to 80 and I had them sprout in about a week.
Michael
xavierdlc61887
04-25-2009, 08:17 AM
Good timely tip. I'll have to see what they're getting for them this week. Don't really NEEDany but, you know how it is.
curiosity killed the cat!! :P
turtile
04-25-2009, 04:54 PM
Hi Alex,
I bought the package of three smaller EE's at Wallyworld the other day for $3.00, Planted them this morning before seeing your post, not sure which way I put them in the ground. Wish I would have checked here before planting as now they have been watered in really well, don't want to dig back up, I think I got it right though. At our local Wallyworld they had a few of the bigger rhizomes but none had any growth on them and actually felt rather dry. Time will tell as to whether I put'em in right, but if not, it's only $3.00. I also planted 11 Canna rhizomes from last year and have about 15 more to find a spot for. Thanks for posting your question. I've learned something more about another tropical. Allways appreciated. :bananas_b
It doesn't matter which way you plant the bulbs. The roots are always going to grow down and the leaves are always going to emerge out of the soil.
just j
04-25-2009, 07:49 PM
the first picture is the top plant it with just the stem out of the ground water it and leave it it will grow roots with in 2 weeks and then start pushing leaves up soon after
Bananaman88
04-25-2009, 10:48 PM
It doesn't matter which way you plant the bulbs. The roots are always going to grow down and the leaves are always going to emerge out of the soil.
This is true. It would take longer, but even if you planted it completely upside down, the growing point would curve around and eventually emerge through the soil. Some people actually use this technique with tulips and other bulbs to extend the blooming season by planting some the correct way and planting some upside down.
buzzwinder
10-01-2009, 09:03 AM
My three EE's did ok this summer, not really very big but they all grew in about 50% shade, now, when to dig up and how to store for the long cold winter ahead, anyone have any advice?
lorax
10-01-2009, 01:11 PM
They're taro, yes? Wait for the first light frost to kill back the leaves, then dig them up and treat them like tulips until spring. Alternately, transplant the whole schmoo into indoor pots and treat them like houseplants (ie don't let them go dormant.) Either way works.
cherokee_greg
10-01-2009, 01:22 PM
I guess this is the same I have I didnot know what it is. Its in my pond. Should I leve it in there are take it out ? Im in zone 9 and my pond is covered too. It has a cannopy shade over it.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21893 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23190&ppuser=5959)
lorax
10-01-2009, 01:37 PM
Greg, that is most definitely Taro (Colocasia esculenta). If your pond ever freezes, I'd be getting the plant out of it. However, if it ever gets cold enough to kill back the foliage, just pull the bulb out of the water, allow it to dry on the surface, and pack it in peat moss and put it in the basement until spring. Being water-adapted, yours won't respond very well to being made into a houseplant.
cherokee_greg
10-01-2009, 02:59 PM
Thanks allot they love the pond there coming up every were in there I love them. My pond never freezez over.
Thanks allot for your time
buzzwinder
10-01-2009, 03:24 PM
Thanks for the response Beth, with going to school full time and taking care of the family now that the wife is laid up, I don't get on the Org. very much. Should I store them in dry or lightly damp peat moss?
Michael_Andrew
10-01-2009, 04:40 PM
My three EE's did ok this summer, not really very big but they all grew in about 50% shade, now, when to dig up and how to store for the long cold winter ahead, anyone have any advice?
Mine didn't get very big either. I'm waiting for the first frost and then dig them just like Beth said. I just let them dry out about a week and put them in paper bags and put them in the basement last year.
<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24189&ppuser=3593><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=24189&size=1 border=0></a>
buzzwinder
10-01-2009, 04:54 PM
Those look fantastic, mine didn't get nearly that big, we had a very cool summer, and they were only got sun until noon, next year they get full sun and more ferts. Thanks :bananas_b
damaclese
10-01-2009, 05:08 PM
i love Taro i didn't grow them here in Nevada for the longest time i didn't think they could survive the heat but a friend gave ma a bulb last year and i tried they did pretty good as long as their in a fair bit of shade then when Scot left for china he gave me three plants ones a gigantic black one i forget the name and the two others are green ones that big green leaf one with the deep ridges in it and the others called sweet hart because the leafs look like harts i also have a speckled one i got as a give away when i bout my Siam Ruby its a kinda puny thing but it keeps growing i keep that one as a house plant all be bring all of them in as there in pots exsept the vargated one my friend gave me if it frost all dig it up its not that pritty its sapose to be pink and white but its mostly green and white specs
cherokee_greg
12-17-2009, 01:18 PM
Anyone ever grow this mickey mouse elephant ear ?
Here is a link
ALOCASIA/COLOCASIA - ELDON ACCESS.COM (http://www.eldonaccess.com/category.sc?categoryId=5)
It looks interesting :woohoonaner:
saltydad
12-17-2009, 05:19 PM
I haven't, but have it on my wish list for next spring.
Michael_Andrew
12-17-2009, 06:49 PM
I've gotta get some variegated ones next year too!
variegated colocasia - Google Images (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1C1GGLS_enUS307US307&um=1&q=variegated+colocasia&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=20)
Patty in Wisc
12-17-2009, 08:31 PM
All 6 that I got from AgriStart via Richard died. What do I do w/ them in winter? Some flowers I dig up in fall & put dried rootball/bulb in a bag in fridge crisper. Same for EE's?
Abnshrek
12-18-2009, 08:13 AM
when mine freeze I just cut them off just above the ground like banana's. I don't know what temps they take but a lil mulch wouldn't hurt :^)
BananaLee
12-28-2009, 08:29 PM
I couldn't get mine out of the ground (to frozen) so I'm just gonna mulch them. I think there's 5 in the ground. Wish me luck guys! 'Cause I'm gonna need it...;)
Randy4ut
12-28-2009, 08:48 PM
Just a few links to some of the elephant ears (aroids) I grow here in SE TN:
2007
Elephant Ears 2007 pictures by randy4ut - Photobucket (http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n225/randy4ut/Elephant%20Ears%202007/)
2008
Elephant Ears 2008 pictures by randy4ut - Photobucket (http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n225/randy4ut/Elephant%20Ears%202008/?start=all)
2009
Elephant Ears 2009 pictures by randy4ut - Photobucket (http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n225/randy4ut/Elephant%20Ears%202009/)
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