Which way do you plant elephant ear bulbs?

The smooth side of the Elephant Ear bulb is the top and should planted up. The bumpy side of the Elephant Ear bulb is the bottom and should be planted down. are, the bumpy side with some possible hairs is slightly flatter than the smooth top side.

How long does it take elephant ears to grow from bulbs?

three to eight weeks
Elephant ears usually sprout three to eight weeks from planting. Sprouting occurs when the weather begins to warm in spring. They will sprout faster in warmer climates than in cooler climates. To speed up the process, you can start them inside and move them outdoors once it warms up.

Should you soak elephant ear bulbs before planting?

Elephant Ear bulbs are typically planted during the spring season once the threat of frost has passed. … Plant the bulb so that it is covered with 1-2″ of soil. Thoroughly soak the area with water once the tubers have been planted. Continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.

What happens if I plant a bulb upside down?

It will still grow, even if it’s upside-down, although the plant will be unnecessarily stressed and may eventually die if left upside-down. You can always dig up the bulb after it has finished flowering to see which side the leaves have emerged from (that’s the top of the bulb).

What happens if you plant elephant ear upside down?

Planting an elephant ear bulb upside will not stop the plant from germinating. It will merely slow down the process of the stem breaking through the soil by a few days or weeks. Although it is advisable to plant bulbs rightside up, planting them upside down or even sideways will not stop the plant from growing.

Can you start an elephant ear bulb inside?

Can I start elephant ears inside? Yes, elephant ears tend to emerge fairly late in spring, even early summer, when planted directly in the garden so many gardeners prefer to start them early indoors. Start them about 6 weeks before last frost.

Do elephant ear bulbs multiply?

When to Divide Elephant Ears

Elephant ears can become huge plants with gigantic leaves. Many spread through underground runners, or stolons, and send up baby plants along the way. … Since it is not actively growing, the plant will be less stressed than if you divide it while it is in full growth mode.

Can I use Miracle Grow on elephant ears?

Fertilize your mammoth elephant ear plant once a month during its growing season to promote vigorous growth. Apply a water-soluble, quick-release fertilizer like Bloom Plus, Miracle-Gro or Grow More according to package directions.

Can elephant ears take full sun?

Elephant ears are tropical plants and the hotter and more humid the weather, the faster they grow. … Colocasias display their leaves with tip of the heart pointing down. They prefer full sun and consistent moisture.

Do elephant ears need a lot of water?

Containers will need to be watered daily during the summer. Plan on giving plants at least 2-3 inches of water per week. Fertilizing: Elephant ears are heavy eaters, as well as drinkers. Fertilize monthly with a general fertilizer of choice.

Do elephant ears need full sun?

Sun or Shade: Elephant ears can be planted in sun or shade. If you put them in a hot, sunny location, make sure they get a little shade during the middle of the day. Zone: Elephant ears are tropical plants. In zones 9-11 they can be grown outdoors year-round.

How do you winterize elephant ears?

It’s a fairly simple process:
  1. After your first frost, cut the stems to about 6 inches tall.
  2. Put the tubers in a grocery bag, plastic pot or bulb rate and cover with a mix of peat moss and soil.
  3. Add water to the container and store it in a cool, dark place to ensure the tuber stays dormant throughout the winter.

Do elephant ears bloom flowers?

Although elephant ears are grown primarily as foliage plants, they can bloom – but flowers are not common in the Midwest. The inflorescences are the typical aroid type with a white to yellow or light green spathe surrounding the spadix.

Will elephant ears come back after a freeze?

In climates with frost, an elephant ear plant dies back each year. However, in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones where the plant is hardy — typically zones 8b and warmer — it grows back in the spring. … Cut back an elephant ear plant two or three days after the first killing frost when the foliage turns brown.

How long will elephant ear bulbs last?

Special Note: Begonia tubers gradually get better each year for about 8 years, and then die. Replace with newly purchased tubers. Lift: Before hard frost as the leaves decline (typically October). Special Note: Storage works well for 2-3 years, after that corms will begin to decline and you will need to buy new corms.

How do you dig up and replant elephant ears?

Dig a hole as deep as an elephant ear’s root ball and twice as wide. Remove the plant from its container and place it in the center of the hole. The plant should sit at its original growing depth.

Do elephant ears need to be dug up for winter?

Digging up for Winter

You will want to dig up elephant ears when the weather starts to get cold and the leaves start to get brown and crunchy. You can wait until after the first frost, but not much longer after that, or the tuber will die. Remove the large leaves, leaving just a small stem 1 to 2 inches long.