How to overwinter Colocasia bulbs?
Store in a Cool, Dry Location Elephant ear tubers need to be stored in a cool, dry location with a temperature of about 60° F (16° C). Over the winter, check tubers occasionally. They should be on the dry side, but not desiccated or shriveled. If they seem too dry, mist them lightly with water. Elephant Ears can be planted from spring (after all danger of frost has passed) through early summer. They may be started indoors as early as 4-6 weeks before the average last frost date (for earlier blooms) or planted directly in the ground after the danger of frost has passed.Elephant ear bulbs spend about three weeks growing roots before you’ll notice any activity above ground. The amount of time it takes for the first shoots to poke through the soil depends on the air and ground temperature. Cooler temperatures may slow the plant’s growth.elephant ear plants usually live for about eight years. In colder areas, gardeners might grow them as annuals to avoid digging them up for overwintering.Hardiness Zones 7-11 In these Hardiness Zones, your Elephant Ears can stay in the ground but should be covered to protect them throughout the winter months. Let the stems of your plants die back naturally with the frost. Cutting them can lead to rot.
How to grow Colocasia from bulbs?
Plant your Colocasia bulbs in individual pots indoors during spring. Start them off in a location which is consistently around 17-25°C such as a windowsill, conservatory or heated greenhouse. Plant the bulbs shallowly with the top of the bulb level with the soil surface. Colocasia needs almost aquatic conditions with plenty of water. They can be grown in standing water. Alocasia plants should be kept moist all year round, but will require less water during the winter and they cannot be grown in standing water.Although other species of Colocasia can tolerate wet feet, Colocasia gigantea cannot. A loose, free-draining, compost rich soil topped with about least 2” of organic mulch is essential. In heavy soils, a raised bed may be necessary to allow excess water to drain away.Sunlight: Full sun to part shade. Darker-leaved varieties tend to need more sun to maintain their color. Watering: Keep soil consistently moist. Colocasia thrives with regular watering and tolerates wet or even submerged soil conditions.This plant prefers full sun as long as sufficient moisture and humidity are provided. In dry climates, it is better sited in partial shade. Colocasias are heavy feeders, so the soil should be enriched with humus and other organic nutrients should be provided on a regular basis.
How do you keep bulbs for next year?
Bulbs need to be kept in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. The ideal temperature is between 10 to 15°C. It’s time to make a decision – leave the bulbs in the ground and treat them as annuals (meaning they won’t come back next year) or dig them up and store indoors until next spring.After the foliage has died back, you can either leave the bulbs in the pot for next year or lift them and store them in a cool, dry place.Hardy bulbs can be left in the ground all year round. Those in containers should be fine too, but can be moved into an unheated greenhouse or cold frame in colder regions which are subject to hard frosts.Force Bulbs That Need Chilling Pot the bulbs in any well-draining potting mix, water them, and set them aside in a cool but not freezing dark spot for the required minimum time (see below), then bring them into warmth and light in the house. The bulbs think spring has arrived and quickly sprout and flower.
What’s the best month to plant bulbs?
Nothing says ‘spring is here’ quite like the appearance of snowdrops, crocus, daffodils and other classic springtime flowers. But to ensure a timely display, you need to get your bulbs in the ground at the right time. September is the perfect month to start planting most spring bulbs, and November for tulips. There are two types of flower bulbs, annual and perennials. Annuals only bloom one season long, and you’ll have to buy new bulbs every year. Perennials, however, are in it for the long haul and once you’ve planted them, they will bloom season after season. Some of them, the so-called naturalizers, will even multiply.You enjoyed your summer flowering bulbs* such as dahlias, gladiolas and elephant ears, all summer long and now winter is coming. It’s time to make a decision – leave the bulbs in the ground and treat them as annuals (meaning they won’t come back next year) or dig them up and store indoors until next spring.Typically, early blooming spring bulbs will return each year without much work, which makes them a great addition to any garden. Over time, however, the bulbs can multiply, with smaller bulbs growing as offshoots from the main bulb.
When to plant giant elephant ear bulbs?
When to Plant: Elephant ear tubers will not grow in cold soil. Wait to plant them outdoors until the soil temperature is at least 65ºF. In northern climates this will be early June. To get a jump on the season, elephant ears may be started in pots indoors, 4 to 6 weeks before you plan to put them outside. Elephant ears drink up humidity. Although the foliage dies back after a freeze, the tender perennials will come back every summer in the Lower, Coastal, and Tropical South. Some varieties are perennial in the lower part of the Middle South (Zone 7b).Dividing elephant ears is easy! Once you have selected your pups, it is time to remove them. Use a sharp knife or your shovel and bisect the section away from the parent. Tubers cut cleanly with a texture like a potato.Elephant ears can be clumpers or runners. Clump-forming elephant ears form slowly-expanding clumps (as the name suggests). Runners can spread out via aboveground or underground stems. In warm areas where the plants are perennials, they can become almost weedy.Elephant ears can be clumpers or runners. Clump-forming elephant ears form slowly-expanding clumps (as the name suggests). Runners can spread out via aboveground or underground stems. In warm areas where the plants are perennials, they can become almost weedy.When to Plant: Elephant ear tubers will not grow in cold soil. Wait to plant them outdoors until the soil temperature is at least 65ºF. In northern climates this will be early June. To get a jump on the season, elephant ears may be started in pots indoors, 4 to 6 weeks before you plan to put them outside.