Things Needed
The elephant ear , a tender works in the begonia family , is named for its prominent foliage . tropic in origin , elephant ear , or Colocasia esculenta , are grown from tubers , which produce corms or overweight storage structures . The corms grow into stems when the flora come out of dormancy . In temperate mood , elephant ear corms must be take indoors to protect them from harsh winter temperature .
Store the corms
Step 1
Dig corm in the fall , after a weak frost has turned the leave-taking a little brown . Prior to excavation , trim the prow so about 6 inches remain . Then carefully dig with the spade several column inch off from the infrastructure of the plant so as to preserve much of the root structure . annul shin the heavy structure , which could reduce the chances of successful winter storage .
Step 2
Wash soil from the corms gently with a garden hose and permit them to air teetotal . You may divide larger corms if you wish to increase your stock of elephant ears .
Step 3
Cure the corm at 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit for one to three day in a well - ventilate field . Then inspect the corms for insects and disease . Dust them with an insecticide - antifungal commixture specifically labeled for elephant ears .
Step 4
Place corm in Milk River crates or other well - ventilated containers . pile the lightbulb with peat moss or sawdust , which usually hold enough moisture to keep corms from shrivel up .
Step 5
Set the crates in a dark cool cellar or cellar with a temperature between 40 and 50 degrees . visit the corms each month and remove any rotting or shriveling ace . Compost stinky corms and spray shriveled ones with a petty tepid water system to get them to plump up again . Replace sprayed corms in the computer storage sawdust or peat moss .
Step 6
Repot the corms when it is six to eights week before the last frost . Plant the corms blunt cease down , covered with 2 inches of potting soil . This provides a headland commence on the growing time of year , give larger , replete garden flora . Then flora elephant ears alfresco once the danger of hoar has passed .
Repot indoors
implant your elephant ears in a pot with child enough to provide elbow room for the tuber to bring out the coming year ’s corms .
Bring the industrial plant indoors when hoar threatens and set it in a south windowpane .
Keep the filth moist and fertilize at half the recommended strength for as long as the works is grow novel leaves . add together humidity to the plant ’s environment by setting the weed on pebbles in a tray or shallow cooking pan . teem water in the tray , but not enough to touch the bottom of the pot . Check and append water to the tray as needed .
