Elephant ear vegetation are a fantastic addition to outside patio planters and pots, however in addition they make a hanging assertion within the yard. Elephant ears in pots are a fantastic, low-maintenance solution to convey a playful, tropical really feel to outside areas. This essay will train you learn how to put together your self for achievement and which sorts of elephant ears to domesticate in pots.
What are elephant ears?
The leafy vegetation generally known as elephant ears are native to Asia’s tropical areas. They belong to the Araceae household of vegetation and are generally generally known as elephant ears as a result of to their enormous, arrow-shaped leaves. They develop from underground bulbs and are surprisingly easy to develop.
Elephant ears thrive in areas with daytime temperatures between 60° and 85°F. Elephant ears are cultivated as summer season ornamentals in temperate areas like Pennsylvania, the place I dwell. Smaller sorts are incessantly planted indoors as houseplants.
Elephant ears are perennials that contribute completely to the panorama within the tropics. The strategies required to develop elephant ears outdoors in pots in temperate climates like mine are the primary matter of this text.
Colocasia and Alocasia are two plant genera which might be generally known as elephant ears. Though Caladiums are also called elephant ears in some locations, the species and variations of Colocasia and Alocasia are the primary topic of this text.
Methods to develop elephant ears in containers and pots
Elephant ear bulbs are a fantastic addition to outside patio planters and pots, however in addition they make a hanging assertion within the yard. Elephant ears in pots are a fantastic, low-maintenance solution to convey a playful, tropical really feel to outside areas. This essay will train you learn how to put together your self for achievement and which sorts of elephant ears to domesticate in pots.
Tropical vegetation for patio containers
In a container, this colocasia appears improbable with coleus. It’s referred to as “Maui Gold” and could also be discovered right here.
Colocasia vs Alocasia
It is likely to be difficult for some gardeners to differentiate between these two tropical vegetation which might be known as elephant ears. Listed here are a number of apparent distinctions between the 2.
Alocasia leaves
1. Alocasia leaves have very pronounced veins and are thicker, sometimes upturned. Moreover, many sorts (significantly the smaller Alocasia species which might be incessantly planted as houseplants) function variegated veination. Alocasia is available in about 100 species. The large leaves can vary in size from 8 inches to three ft, relying on the species.
The colour of the stems and foliage can differ from nearly black to burgundy to inexperienced. Some folks discuss with alocasia varieties with upward-pointing leaves as erect elephant ears.
Colocasia leaves
2. Generally, colocasia leaves are thinner than these of alocasias. The leaf veins aren’t as thick, and the information of the leaves almost invariably level downward. In hotter areas, particularly within the southeastern United States, a number of Colocasia species have change into invasive.
The large leaves can attain as much as 60 inches in size, relying on the cultivar. Chartreuse, Kelly inexperienced, deep burgundy, and a wide range of variegations are among the many colours of the foliage.
Though they rarely flower, probably the most notable function of each Alocasias and Colocasias is their intriguing leaves. The spathe-like blossoms are incessantly hid by the foliage.
Selecting which varieties of elephant ears to develop
There are a selection of concerns to make when selecting which elephant ear cultivar to develop in pots.
The mature plant’s dimension. Sure cultivars and species are noticeably larger than others. You may develop one of many bigger varieties in case you have an enormous container that may accommodate not less than 10 gallons of potting combine. Nonetheless, select one which grows at a extra modest dimension in case your pot is barely smaller.hue and/or variegation of the leaves. It goes with out saying that it is best to choose an elephant ear that you simply like when it comes to look when you’re rising it in a container. You may discover it troublesome to decide on only one as a result of there are such a lot of varieties out there!Elephant ear leaves themselves are giant. Whereas some leaves are huge, others are smaller. Make the suitable alternative.Daylight degree. Regardless of being tropical vegetation, when grown in outside pots, Alocasia desire shadow to partial shade. Colocasias are extra tolerant of daylight. Moreover, in comparison with Alocasias, Colocasias usually want barely hotter temperatures.
When to plant elephant ear bulbs in containers
Elephant ears must be planted in pots at a sure time, whatever the species you resolve to develop. They don’t like colder climate, and none of them can face up to frost. Maintain off on planting elephant ears for a number of extra weeks as soon as the danger of frost has handed.
It could freeze out for those who plant them too early, or on the very least, they might slack off and want extra power to “catch up” when the climate lastly warms.
One of the best soil for rising elephant ears in pots
After you’ve purchased your bulbs, it’s time to contemplate the best soil for potted elephant ears. You may put together your individual natural potting combine, however you may also use an everyday one combined 50/50 with compost. Add a mix of peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and leaf compost to the pots.
Moreover, add a shovelful of the neighbor’s well-rotted horse manure, as elephant ears admire wealthy soil that’s ample in natural content material. Select coir fiber or a potting soil comprised of composted wooden chips rather than peat moss for those who’re not a fan.
The right combination retains water whereas draining nicely. Needless to say elephant ears are indigenous to tropical areas with ample rainfall and damp soil. Though they dislike standing water, many varieties will develop at a pond’s edge. Confirm that your soil combination can maintain grime with out changing into soggy on a regular basis.
Which containers are finest for rising elephant ears in potsElephant ears can develop to their most dimension in enormous pots, which is what we advise. decrease pots yield decrease progress, which is appropriate for those who’re cultivating a extra compact species or in case your patio or balcony is small.
Nonetheless, use a big pot and a big selection in order for you quite a lot of va-va-voom. Elephant ears could also be grown in pots that may maintain 15 to 30 gallons of potting combine, and my vegetation can develop as much as 5 or 6 ft tall.
As ordinary, make sure that each pot has a number of drainage holes to permit for the free motion of additional irrigation water. Though we desire to make use of glazed ceramic pots, steel, wooden, or plastic containers additionally work nicely. Terracotta pots dry up extraordinarily quickly, so keep away from them.
Planting elephant ear bulbs in containers
Earlier than planting elephant ear tubers, fill your containers three-quarters of the best way with potting combine. Subsequent, confirm whether or not elephant ear bulb finish is going through up and which is going through down.
A tiny nub that emerges from the bulb is situated on the tip of the up finish. The shoot mechanism will probably be primarily based on this. The roots will emerge from the spherical basal root disc on the down finish.
With the right finish going through up, place the bulb within the pot and add sufficient soil combine to cowl it in order that the small nub is barely one to 2 inches beneath the soil’s floor. Elephant ear bulbs could not emerge in any respect or could take a really very long time to take action if they’re buried too deeply. They don’t seem to be like bulbs that bloom within the spring and should be planted deep to outlive the winter. Within the pot, maintain them shallow.
That will help you bear in mind the place you planted the bulbs, mark each with a marker and provides them loads of water. Relying on the climate and quantity of solar publicity, they might not seem for a number of weeks. If it takes some time for them to interrupt the soil floor, don’t panic. It will likely be worthwhile as soon as they do.
The best location on your potted Colocasia or Alocasia association
If the plant turns into tall and top-heavy, select a location away from excessive winds that would topple the pot. Apart from gardeners within the northernmost rising zones, full-sun conditions must be prevented. As an alternative, decide a location that will get some shade in the course of the afternoon however direct sunshine within the morning or night.
Give elephant ears room to develop
There’s quite a lot of room for each new and previous leaves. Give elephant ear vegetation in pots plenty of room to indicate off. The vegetation will develop one-sided if the pots are positioned in opposition to a wall or fence. They are going to be more healthy if they’ve more room.
FAQ
Ought to I begin my elephant ear bulbs indoors?
You may want to begin your elephant ear plant early by rising the bulbs indoors in pots for those who dwell in a area with lengthy winters. When there is no such thing as a probability of frost and the soil temperature reaches 65ºF, plant them 4 to 6 weeks earlier than shifting them outdoors.
Ought to I soak elephant ear bulbs?
As soon as elephant ear bulbs are planted, correctly water the soil. Whereas it’s essential to maintain the bulbs moist, soaking or overwatering them may result in root rot. Ready till the primary inch of topsoil has dried earlier than watering once more is an efficient basic rule.
Do elephant ears bulbs multiply?
Elephant ear vegetation proliferate readily and may unfold by sending up new vegetation by way of underground runners. In hotter climates the place the vegetation are perennials, that is very prevalent. Dig fastidiously across the child plant to search out the roots, then take away the plant out of the bottom and transfer it to a pot or one other location to separate the offspring from the dad or mum plant.
