Elephant Ear-will this work?

[Pulsegleaner]

Hi all,

This weekend I was doing a little plant shopping and against my common sense I picked up an elephant ear (Colocasia) When I paid for it, the Nursery owner warned me that I'd have to dig the bulb up in the fall and bring it in for the winter.

My question is as follows, since I have the option would it be better to plant the bulb in a super big pot and then bring that whole thing in in the fall? I think I've seen elephant's ears in large pots before, and it occurs to me that doing it that way might be even better for the plant, as the roots will not be disturbed. Or is Colocasia one of those plants that needs to be pulled up and allowed to go dormant outside the soil to keep growing properly? Help please?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I grew it when I was outside of New Orleans. The bulb was permanently in the ground but it would die back in the winter. I don't know if they need to go dormant every year or not but it does not need to be dug in the New Orleans climate. They did go dormant down there.

I can't remember where you are. I think freezing would be really bad for them.

 

[Pulsegleaner]

Oh there's no risk of freezing. What I was asking was whether it was better to put it in a pot and then bring the whole pot in for the winter, instead of just the root itself.

I'm in the Hudson Valley so I'm WAAY colder than New Orleans

 

[ninnymary]

I have mine in a pot where it stays outside year round. Mind you, I have very mild winters. I would put it in a good size pot and bring the pot inside during your cold winters. They are heavy feeders.

Mary

 

[dickiebird]

Raise it in a pot and bring in during cold weather, do not let it freeze!!!!

THANX RICH

 

[KD_Olive]

Elephant ears are invasive along the riverbanks in Alabama. You basically can't kill the things around here. Lol...

 

[so lucky]

Just curious: does it go dormant in California in the winter? Or in other warm areas?

 

[KD_Olive]

Just curious: does it go dormant in California in the winter? Or in other warm areas?

It goes dormant here. My dad's banana trees and elephant ears go dormant every winter and come back every Spring.

 

[Nyboy]

I just gave a friend purple leaf elephant ear for her birthday.

 

[ninnymary]

Just curious: does it go dormant in California in the winter? Or in other warm areas?

It loses just a few leaves.

Mary