elephant ears (rooted and bulb)

14 years ago

I consider myself to have a green thumb, my house is full of all kinds of houseplants, tropical and more common varietys. I have recently had a struggle though with two types of elephant ears I have. I have a small rooted type that i got off of a friend who had it sprouting in the pot next to the larger one. I have had it for several months and I have seemed to barely keep it alive. It does not get very big, maybe the main stem and leaf only about two inches. The leaf starts to get brown and dying, and everytime it does a new little leaf sprouts off of it, grows a couple inches and does the same. Everytime I think its going to die another leaf springs up and takes the place of the old one and eventually does the same routien. Mind you its very small and does not get large at all before doing the same thing the previous leaf did. What am I doing wrong? Does this elephant ear variety need alot of sun or alot of shade? I have tried both. Should i let the dirt dry a little before watering or keep it constantly wet? Will tap water kill it?

My second question is about an mamouth elephant ear bulb i bought. I planted the bulb sidewayes because this is my first one and was told if I dont know which way is the up side on it, to plant it on its side. How long will this take to sprout? Its been a few weeks now.

Thanks in advance

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Comments (4)

tropicalzone7
14 years ago
Usually they grow much better outside, so you might want to consider keeping it in lots of shade outside when the warmer weather comes. Keep it from getting dry, but it loves the heat, but at that age (and since it has been indoors) it probably really hates the sun. When its bigger it can go in partial to full sun, but that probably wont be until next year.

Where do you live, or what kind of weather are you having right now and during the summer months?

Good luck!
thedeedo
Original Author
14 years ago
I live in Kentucky, and its been a very warm April. Kind of oddly warm for this time of year, but we have had a couple days and nights that get a little chilly here. During the summer its very hot and humid with lots of vegitation, feels like a rain forest. My fear is that it wont live long enough to see next year. I will try to put it in a better sunny window in my house, if you dont think it will kill it alltogether. I want to save it while i can, as you can see it has anothr leaf comming up so there still may be a chance. If anyone has more suggestions please help?
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diggy500
14 years ago
hi thedeedo

try adding a bit of peroxide the next time you water...
and after that try watering from the bottom up...
as for your second question....dig it up and look where it's starting to grow,then you will know what side is up...
hope all works out well...good luck..

cheers
diggy
marilynl
14 years ago
I have read that all sub tropicals only like to be put outside when the temps are in the 70s.

Will Elephant ears grow in full sun? I would love to put some in a bed with my cannas.