3 bulbs of colocasia esculenta, elephant ear plant, for growing, home gardening from Ceylon

Growing All Elephant Ear Plant Types If you live in a warm region, you can start your elephant ears right into a prepared garden bed. Northern gardeners should start them indoors in well-draining soil, or in a greenhouse. These plants perform well in either acidic, clay, sandy or loamy soils. They do very well in a half day of full sun but can thrive in a full day with a little protection, such as dappling from an above tree. Alocasia can spread quickly, as can Colocasia in warm regions. If they become a pest, move the plants to containers to control them. Each of the different elephant ear plants has a slightly different cultivation range regarding water. Colocasia is a wetland plant that requires consistent moisture while the other species need less water and cannot stand to be soggy. Alocasia is especially sensitive to boggy conditions so ensure a soil that drains well. Care and Feeding of Elephant Ears Each of these spectacular elephant ear plant types is fairly easy to grow. Bring the smaller forms, such as most Alocasia, indoors in winter to grow until temperatures warm. Larger plants, like Colocasia, can stay in the ground but the foliage may die back if the temperatures get cool. Spread thick mulch around the root zone to protect the bulbs and in spring they will redevelop. In cold regions, dig up the bulbs, allow them to dry for a day or two and then save them in mesh bags in a cool, dry area. Many of these plants can be sensitive to tap water. It is a good idea to use rainwater when possible or at least allow your tap water to sit for a day before applying to the plant. Use a diluted liquid plant food starting in spring once per month. Prune off foliage as it dies or gets damaged. Watch for mealybugs, slugs, snails, caterpillars and grasshoppers, whose feeding activities can damage the beautiful foliage.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Elephant Ear Plant Types: Learn About Common Elephant Ear Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/...