As the name suggests , the heart - regulate parting of the Elephant Ear Plant will reminisce you of the elephant ’s ear . Grown for their ornamental value , the plant can be grown in either – garden or container for an alien layout . Surprisingly , they are very easy to farm as well and will stand proud in the correct surroundings .
Read on to find out how in this step - by - footstep guide to elephant ear plant concern .
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Table of Contents
Step 1: Choosing the Elephant Ear Plant Types
Throughout the geezerhood , various finish methods have produced a variety show of elephant ear in dissimilar colouration , form , and sizes . They are not zone special and nurseryman living in anyhardiness zonefrom 3 – 11 can enjoy growing them with ease . The key is to select the right type of elephant industrial plant and worry for them as postulate .
The four chief type of elephant plants you will find at the local nurseries admit :
1. Colocasia
Colocasia is the most common type of elephant pinna . It is mutual in the waterlogged areas of Asia and couple over 200 species . They are mostly recognize by their big , pepper leaves that grow rapidly – in the right-hand surroundings .
However , you may want to be careful when prefer a colocasia coinage as some variety are known to be invasive .
2. Alocasia
Often called the African mask industrial plant , this flora of elephant auricle is characterized by its up pointing leaves . Unlike other elephant ear plant types , the leave of Alocasia are not edible . Some popular varieties of the Alocasia mintage include :
3. Caladium
4. Xanthosoma
Natives to tropical America , the Xanthosoma requires humid and warm conditions . Similar to genus Colocasia , some variety of the Xanthosoma elephant spike also bring forth comestible leaves and roots .
Xanthosoma has around 75 mixed bag that are far-famed for their beautiful leaf . Some common ones include :
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Step 2: Selecting the Site
If you are planning to establish the elephant ears in a garden or yard , select a place that come full or part sun . in person , I am not a big fan of just placing the elephant auricle anywhere in the garden as their beauty can diminish in the midst of other plants .
Choose a focal point for their placement . They generally do well with other plants and you’re able to try growing them alongside other tropic plant life sort such as bananas , canna , and variegated tropica .
They also do well in mix containers as indoor centerpieces . Combine them with other flowering plants that choose the same surroundings in a great , oversized container for an impressive appearing .
The good meter to uprise elephant ear plant is the spring season – well after the threat of frost has passed . you could also start them indoors a calendar month before the last expect frost date .
The spot you pick out should have fat , constitutive grease . ensure to keep a good length – of around 2 -4 feet between the elephant ear bulbs so they can spread out efficiently .
grind a large hole and target the medulla so it is 4 inches deeper than the soil product line . Keep the pointed side of the genus Tuber facing up and continue it completely with soil and water .
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Step 3: Elephant Ear Plant Care
Elephant ears are by and large wanton going industrial plant and do n’t require much attention once the planting process is finish . A few basic aftercare include :
Water
One matter that elephant capitulum can not pull through without is – Water . Keep the soil moist at all times for sufficient growth of these industrial plant . Especially during the teetotal time of year , ensure that the plants are receiving regular moisture .
test watering during the morning . This will give the plant enough time to dry out before the evening . Watering early in the day also reduces the natural event of some common plant disease as well .
The elephant ears are tender to tap water and if possible – put up them with a supply of rainwater for adequate growth . If that is not possible , keep a bucket full of pat water away for a day before applying to your plants .
Fertilizer
Elephant ears are cloggy feeders andrequire fertilizers throughout their growingstage . Start them off with a lightheaded , dull - release plant food as soon as new growth begin seem . However , do avoid put fertiliser on the leaves or the crown of the plant to avoid plant injury and burns .
Fertilizers should be apply every 2 – 3 weeks for the good results .
Pruning
Just like any other fast - growing industrial plant , elephant ears require frequent training to stay neat and tidy . Keep weeds under control by regularly educate or using mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating .
However , when using a mulch , verify to keep them away from a plant ’s theme to preclude rot . utilise constituent mulch when possible as well .
Winter Care
Lower the pee breathing in during the winter months . wreak the elephant ear plant life indoors during these month as elephant pinna are quite susceptible to frost .
If you go in a very cold region , it is best to keep open them for the next outflow time of year .
cautiously remove the bulbs and stash away them in ironical peat moss or wood shave . Keep it in a warm , ironical , and dark place . Replant them as the season get warmer .
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Step 4: Look out for Pests and Diseases
Elephant ears are vulnerable to a few common problems that can spread if not addressed decently . Keep an eye for any changes in the plant ’s growth , people of colour , and sizing – and take proactive measures accordingly .
Dasheen Mosaic Virus
It is the most common virus that , unfortunately – has no cure . So every effort should be made to avoid its occurrence . The most characteristic polarity of this disease is uneven radiation diagram on the parting along with a halt in growth .
In case an infection does hap , the plant should be removed right away .
1. Root Rot
Root rot often fall out due to overhead watering . debar throw the plant piss from the top and concentrate only on keeping the dirt moist . Using quality water is also essential to forestall root hogwash .
like to the mosaic , there is no remedy for root rot – except practice proper sanitization .
2. Aphids
aphid are insect of fleeceable , red , black , or peach color . They circularize their disease by feeding on the underside of the elephant ear folio . A muggy residue on the leafage is unremarkably a telltale signboard of the disease .
Try washing the leaves with strong insecticidal soap or spray .
3. Mealybugs
A common industrial plant worm , the mealybug provide a white , waxy powder on stems , branches , and leaves . They suck the juices from a plant life ’s leaves and halt causing growth stunt .
lave off the septic plant or rubbing the leaves helps murder the bugs .
4. Root Maggots
The maggots are white in gloss and feed on roots . They do chocolate-brown hole in the root and cause the growth to stem . Pesticides are recommend to cure the problem .
5. Spider Mites
The spider - like pests are violent , fateful , brown , or yellowish in coloring . They pass the plant juices that have white dots to come along on the leaves . Webbing is also visible on the plant life . They are very fast - growing , especially in dry areas . If not detect timely – the spider mites can cause the whole plant to exit .
Wiping the leaves with a wet face cloth helps to remove the mites . A garden hosiery also does the employment quickly .
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Step 5: Read our FAQ for the best growth
The last step tocaring for your elephant ear plantis reading our FAQ guide . Here , we have covered some of the basic question that come in the head of gardeners who are planning the elephant ears for the first fourth dimension .
1. How long does it take for the Elephant Ears to sprout?
It engage around 3 – 8 week for the first hint of elephant ears to erupt from the grease . This is also qualified on your growing status as they sprout faster in warmer mood , rather than cold . I also suggest bringing the elephant ear works indoors for some clock time to speed up the process .
2. My Elephant Ears have stopped growing. What could be the reason?
Elephant ears are perennials . This means that they will make out back each summer , once the weather becomes suitable for its growth .
3. Can Elephant Ear plant poison my children, pets, and myself?
Although many cultures have eaten some variety of elephant ear safely , I suggest against run through them in large quantity . specially child and pets should be preserve off from these plant as it contains eminent amounts of oxalic acid .
Some symptoms of elephant ear plant toxicant admit :
get through a toxicant control condition center at once if symptoms aggravate or high amounts of elephant pinna leave are deplete .
4. Do Elephant Ear flower?
Very rare but yes , some gardener have reported blooming of their elephant ears for a few specific diversity . Their main peach , however , lies in its foliage and not for the flowers .
In fact , some gardener often remove the elephant ear peak as it emerges to maintain the plant ’s attraction .
5. My plant is losing leaves! Help!
Do n’t worry ! It ’s quite natural for the elephant spike to suffer their leaves and make room for new growth . proceed caring for them as advised above and remove any fall leaf from the garden bed to keep the plant ’s surround kempt .
