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Is it too late for Elephant Ears?
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Posted by raymikematt z7b SC (raymomattla@cs.com) on Sun, Sep 12, 04 at 11:22
Hello, everyone. I have a friend who lives in South Georgia whom I am sending a few plants of Colocasia gigantea. I want to make sure it is not too late there to plant these (for them to be able to get a good root system going before the cooler temps of Winter). This is a fast growing species and gets larger than your typical Walmart esculentas. It is also very hardy..coming back with a vengence each year even here in Upstate SC (zone 7b-8a).. I have no doubt they will overwinter in South Georgia (Darien area) but will they still have enough warm weather to establish a healthy root system to make them hardier over the winter? Its probably a little too late here for that (temps have already been falling into the upper 50's at night). How long do you guys have until last frost?
Michael |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Is it too late for Elephant Ears?
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| Oops sorry I meant first frost! |
RE: Is it too late for Elephant Ears?
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| I remember last year I planted an escuelenta from Walmart that was sitting there all year dormant in August and before frost it was as tall as me. Maybe it was trying to make up for the time it could have spent growing all summer :) |
RE: Is it too late for Elephant Ears?
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- Posted by RandiT z8b, Coastal GA (My Page) on
Sat, Oct 2, 04 at 15:28
| Unless something freaky happens, Darien should not see any measureable frost 'til into December/Jan??? We do not live far from Darien....frost is not much of an issue here until very late. Your friend should be able to re-establish the Colocasia. I would recommend putting it in a big black pot, placing the pot where it gets a little morning sun to warm the root zone. I just potted up an Upright Elephant Ear (Alocasia) and a big Colocasia (local pass-along plant..cultivar unknown)...both are doing fine, despite being rolled about by both Frances, and Jeanne. I would move the pot into a garage as frost threatens, letting it go completely dormant. I have wacked off many starts from these plants reletively late in the fall, to give away (re-planted in the ground), and they have done fine. Good Luck.. |
RE: Is it too late for Elephant Ears?
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| Usually around the first of December....on average. it can happen 2 weeks earlier or later with regularity. |
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