Elephant ear vegetation are an important addition to out of doors patio planters and pots, however additionally they make a hanging assertion within the yard. Elephant ears in pots are an important, low-maintenance method to convey a playful, tropical really feel to out of doors areas. This essay will train you find out how to put together your self for fulfillment and which sorts of elephant ears to domesticate in pots.
What are elephant ears?
The leafy vegetation often called elephant ears are native to Asia’s tropical areas. They belong to the Araceae household of vegetation and are generally often called elephant ears as a result of to their big, 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 stay. Smaller varieties are ceaselessly planted indoors as houseplants.
Elephant ears are perennials that contribute completely to the panorama within the tropics. The strategies required to develop elephant ears exterior in pots in temperate climates like mine are the principle subject of this text.
Colocasia and Alocasia are two plant genera which can be typically known as elephant ears. Though Caladiums are also referred to as elephant ears in some locations, the species and variations of Colocasia and Alocasia are the principle topic of this text.
develop elephant ears in containers and pots
Elephant ear bulbs are an important addition to out of doors patio planters and pots, however additionally they make a hanging assertion within the yard. Elephant ears in pots are an important, low-maintenance method to convey a playful, tropical really feel to out of doors areas. This essay will train you find out how to put together your self for fulfillment and which sorts of elephant ears to domesticate in pots.
Tropical vegetation for patio containers
In a container, this colocasia appears incredible with coleus. It’s known 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 can 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, often upturned. Moreover, many varieties (significantly the smaller Alocasia species which can be ceaselessly 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 toes, relying on the species.
The colour of the stems and foliage can differ from virtually black to burgundy to inexperienced. Some individuals confer with alocasia varieties with upward-pointing leaves as erect elephant ears.
Colocasia leaves
2. Normally, colocasia leaves are thinner than these of alocasias. The leaf veins aren’t as thick, and the information of the leaves practically invariably level downward. In hotter areas, particularly within the southeastern United States, a number of Colocasia species have turn out to be 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 infrequently flower, essentially the most notable function of each Alocasias and Colocasias is their intriguing leaves. The spathe-like blossoms are ceaselessly hid by the foliage.
Selecting which sorts of elephant ears to develop
There are a selection of issues 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’ll be able to develop one of many bigger varieties you probably have an enormous container that may accommodate no less than 10 gallons of potting combine. Nevertheless, 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 you need to choose an elephant ear that you just like when it comes to look if you end up 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 obtainable!
- Elephant ear leaves themselves are massive. Whereas some leaves are monumental, others are smaller. Make the suitable alternative.
- Daylight degree. Regardless of being tropical vegetation, when grown in out of doors pots, Alocasia favor shadow to partial shade. Colocasias are extra tolerant of daylight. Moreover, in comparison with Alocasias, Colocasias sometimes want barely hotter temperatures.
When to plant elephant ear bulbs in containers
Elephant ears ought to be planted in pots at a sure time, whatever the species you determine 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 in case you 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.
The most effective soil for rising elephant ears in pots
After you’ve purchased your bulbs, it’s time to think about the best soil for potted elephant ears. You’ll be able to put together your personal natural potting combine, however you can too use an everyday one blended 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 respect wealthy soil that’s considerable in natural content material. Select coir fiber or a potting soil created from composted wooden chips instead of peat moss in case you’re not a fan.
The right combination retains water whereas draining properly. Understand that elephant ears are indigenous to tropical areas with considerable rainfall and damp soil. Though they dislike standing water, many sorts will develop at a pond’s edge. Confirm that your soil combination can maintain filth with out changing into soggy on a regular basis.
Which containers are greatest for rising elephant ears in pots
Elephant ears can develop to their most dimension in big pots, which is what we advise. decrease pots yield decrease progress, which is appropriate in case you’re cultivating a extra compact species or in case your patio or balcony is small.
Nevertheless, use a big pot and a big selection if you’d like a number 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 toes tall.
As typical, make sure that each pot has a number of drainage holes to permit for the free motion of additional irrigation water. Though we favor to make use of glazed ceramic pots, metallic, wooden, or plastic containers additionally work properly. Terracotta pots dry up extraordinarily quickly, so avoid 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 positioned 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 correct 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 under the soil’s floor. Elephant ear bulbs might not emerge in any respect or might take a really very long time to take action if they’re buried too deeply. They aren’t like bulbs that bloom within the spring and should be planted deep to outlive the winter. Within the pot, hold 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. Will probably be worthwhile as soon as they do.
The perfect location to 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. Aside from gardeners within the northernmost rising zones, full-sun conditions ought to be averted. As a substitute, decide a location that will get some shade in the midst of the afternoon however direct sunshine within the morning or night.
Give elephant ears room to develop
There may be a number of room for each new and outdated leaves. Give elephant ear vegetation in pots numerous 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 in case you stay in a area with lengthy winters. When there isn’t a likelihood of frost and the soil temperature reaches 65ºF, plant them 4 to 6 weeks earlier than shifting them exterior.
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 common rule.
Do elephant ears bulbs multiply?
Elephant ear vegetation proliferate readily and may unfold by sending up new vegetation by means of underground runners. In hotter climates the place the vegetation are perennials, that is very prevalent. Dig fastidiously across the child plant to seek 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 mum or dad plant.