Blog about Thailand
Thailand Giant is the largest variety of Elephant Ear with giant, light-green leaves that are a true show-stopper in the summer garden.
WHEN TO PLANT : Elephant ears are planted in spring after any danger of frost has passed. The tubers will not grow until the soil is warm, so don’t plant them until the soil temperature is 65ºF.
Elephant ears can become huge plants with gigantic leaves. Many spread through underground runners, or stolons, and send up baby plants along the way.
Are elephant ears perennials? Most are perennials in Zone 9 and warmer, where they will come back each summer. If gardening in cooler zones, you can treat them as annuals or dig up the tubers before the first frost and keep them in a cool, dry place over winter.
Coffee grounds can help to add much-needed nitrogen to the soil around your elephant ear plant. Too much coffee grounds in the soil can have the opposite effect though and will actually rob the soil of nitrogen and also rob it of its nutrients.
The leaves and stems are the most toxic parts of the plants. Even touching them can cause skin irritation and itching, and if you get the sap in your eyes, your eyes will sting and burn for several hours. If your child or pet ingests the leaves, the first symptoms are a tingly or burning feeling in the mouth or lips.
Elephant ears are water -loving plants. They need at least moist, organically rich soil, but constantly moist soil is preferable, especially in warm months. You can decrease your watering schedule for the plants in winter, when they don’t need as much water as they do other times of the year.
This smooth end will produce the sprout and should be facing up. 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 . Keep in mind that the Elephant Ear plant is native to areas of extreme heat and tropical climates.
Epsom salt helps ferns and plants similar to ferns, such as elephant ear , have rich, dark foliage. Add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt to a gallon of water and spray ferns and elephant ears to achieve the look.
Too much sunlight can burn elephant ear leaves, while too little sunlight can cause yellowing . Why are my elephant ears turning yellow ? Try changing the amount of sunlight or water the plant gets and possibly apply a fertilizer.
Elephant ears are great for adding a tropical feel to your garden. They may be planted in large containers. Elephant ear foliage adds drama to large flower arrangements. Plants cannot tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees .
Prepare Your Elephant Ears For The Winter After your first frost, cut the stems to about 6 inches tall. Put the tubers in a grocery bag, plastic pot or bulb rate and cover with a mix of peat moss and soil. Add water to the container and store it in a cool, dark place to ensure the tuber stays dormant throughout the winter.
Elephant Ears perform best in sun or part shade. While most can be grown in partial shade, the darker colored varieties are best grown in full sun. Provide a sheltered location to protect the decorative leaves from strong winds.
There are two types of elephant ears: alocasias and colocasias . Colocasias display their leaves with tip of the heart pointing down. They prefer full sun and consistent moisture. Alocasias hold the tip of their leaves out or upward and they prefer more well drained soil and a little shade.
If elephant ear is ingested by your pet, it will cause increased salivation, difficulty swallowing, oral irritation, and vomiting. When ingested, this plant may cause vomiting, depression, a slowed heart rate, and a loss of coordination.