Elephant Ears
 

Anyone growing Alocasia/Colocasia Elephant Ears? My understanding is they grow very similar to Bananas through a corm and propagate similarly as well.

Re: Elephant Ears
 

They are a beast.....
Fast facts for zone 5/6.

First the plant is usually an understory plant in the areas which I have observed however they thrive in full sun also. This is good.
The plant is used as an atrium filler plant in many northern applications.

Overwintering in a (your plants have to be big) large container with low light usually is no issue for an average grow space. The plant is a dripper though.
Mature plants have a 5x5+ robust footprint.

The plant in grow zones 10 and up is an outstanding year round plant.

Re: Elephant Ears
 

Very nice, yeah apparently some certain types can grow big even in those zones.

I currently have a few pups my mother gave me from her neighbor. I have no idea what species they are but I'm pretty sure they are Colocasia.
I still have plenty of space in the yard so thinking about going all out and getting the Thailand Giant... :ha:

Re: Elephant Ears
 

There are some around the house. They were here when we bought the house. We had that crazy freakish freeze and some pups are starting to grow. I don't do anything for them. They flower and grow.

Re: Elephant Ears
 

Re: Elephant Ears
 

Here in zone 6b Northern Virginia Colocasia esculenta is almost a weed - multiplies extremely rapidly and is winter hardy in mild winters (like this current one), and hardy in any winter we have had in last ten years with 3 or 4" of mulch over them. Other colocasia can be hardier or less hardy. Alocasia we are experimenting with, but as it tends to form a trunk, doubt it will be truly hardy - probably will lose trunk an d have to rely on pups. Check back in a year :-)

Re: Elephant Ears
 

Question. What other specific differences are there between Alocasia and Colocasia besides the leaves pointing up or down? I've read conflicting stuff saying Colocasia loves soggy moist soil compared to Alocasia but some other places say Alocasia does as well.

Re: Elephant Ears
 

The elephant ears I bought about ten years ago weren't corms; they were more like giant bulbs. :confused:

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Does anyone know how long it takes for alocasia macrorrhizos bulbs to sprout? I planted two of them 3 weeks ago but nothing yet. They actually started producing roots during transportation when I had them wrapped in plastic. Then I put them in soil but nothing so far.

Re: Elephant Ears
 

Be patient - the alocasia and colocasia take a while to start - first month they sleep, next they creep, then they leap! And yes, re my Mrch note, re hardiness - they demand relatively DRY soil - i.e. very well drained, to make the winter here.

Re: Elephant Ears
 

OOps, failed to mention that when growing need LOTS of water. We have both alo and colcasia growing essentially in water - in a bald cypress swamp on hillocks maybe 2 to 3 inches above water level and maybe 18 to 24" wide.

Re: Elephant Ears
 

Once you plant them you cant get rid of them! They are cool but make sure you really want them. They are pretty invasive on my property.

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Sometimes they may take 6 to 8 weeks before poping up as they will grow a root system first. I start mine inside a month or more early so when they go outside they are already growing.

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Amazing picture Iowa!!!!

I've planted three corms this spring g and two have appeared although mighty small ATM,eBay jobie so lucky dip on the variety!!!

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Here are some of mine in the yard.

Big Alocasia (macrorrhizos?)

Colocasia coffee cups

Colocasia black stem

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Great looking plants.

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I LOVE those black stem plants! Beautiful contrast amidst all that green!

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Hey, that looks like my pumpkin leaves, LOL!