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Once you see elephant ears in pots, you’ll understand it instantly as a result of the massive leaves resemble an elephant’s ears. These crops develop outside in USDA hardiness zones 8 by 12. Some cultivars can tolerate as far north as zone 6.
You might suppose these widespread crops is likely to be tough to take care of. Nonetheless, these are fairly simple to develop indoors and may make an exquisite (and really inexperienced) dialog starter.
Learn on to search out out how one can develop these elephant ear crops indoors and propagate them to get much more inexperienced goodness.
How To Care For Potted Elephant Ears?
It’s not tough to develop elephant ears in pots so long as you take care of their fundamental care necessities.
Correct care will even vastly scale back the danger of sickness, which we’ll talk about later.
Word: Not All Elephant Ears are Created Equal
Once you buy an elephant ear plant, there’ll be one other elephant within the room to contemplate: Which elephant ear do you could have?
This information will talk about the genus Colocasia, however one other genus within the tribe Colocasieae known as Alocasia has hanging foliage and really comparable care wants.
A number of different crops known as elephant ears could or could not have comparable wants and are unrelated to colocasia.
Consequently, you need to use this as a normal information for colocasia and alocasias.
Nonetheless, we strongly counsel you examine a information on your particular species or cultivar if you happen to expertise any issues, equivalent to slower progress or shade modifications.
Colocasia’s Background
Colocasias originated in Southeastern Asia and the Indian subcontinent however have since turn into widespread throughout the globe.
They’re identified for having enormous leaves that may be simply 5’ ft lengthy on some species!
There are a minimum of 12 confirmed species and quite a few cultivars to select from.
Nonetheless, if you happen to reside within the Gulf area of the US, be warned that there could also be some restrictions if you happen to want to develop Colocasia esculenta.
Some crops are edible and utilized in many widespread Pacific recipes, together with the Hawai’ian basic dish poi.
Potting Colocasia
You’ll need a big, sturdy container to plant your elephant ear plant in, as they will develop fairly massive in a short time.
Though they gained’t attain their full top, you may anticipate a brand new leaf as usually as each week, with mature leaves generally being as massive as 3’ ft lengthy and 1’ foot extensive.
Relying on the species or cultivar, this plant may be a great 6’’ ft tall, so that you’ll want a pot that gained’t tip over simply.
Colocasia is customized to swampy situations, however Alocasia hates having moist ft.
Fortunately, you may nonetheless make each comfortable utilizing a well-draining, organically wealthy soil.
Aroid mixes work nice, or you can also make a soil-free medium utilizing 5 elements orchid bark, one half perlite, and one half peat moss.
The plant will want repotted yearly to exchange the potting medium.
For those who see indicators that the plant is root-bound, that is additionally the proper time to present it a barely bigger pot or divide the plant for propagation.
Environmental Wants
These crops have such enormous leaves as a result of their native habitat is on the forest ground, the place the forest cover filters mild.
Consequently, you’ll need to keep away from direct publicity to the afternoon solar.
As a substitute, intention for shiny, oblique daylight.
A sheer curtain or spot beside a south-facing window is ideal, however you can even place the plant in an east or west-facing window the place it might probably get direct publicity to the extra delicate morning or night solar.
Elephant ear crops can tolerate humidity ranges of 40% p.c however will develop greater and fuller if they’ve ranges of fifty% p.c or extra.
Due to their massive measurement, a humidifier is the very best resolution, though you may encompass the pot with smaller crops to naturally improve humidity ranges.
Keep away from misting, as this doesn’t really assist the plant, and moist leaves may end up in fungal infections.
Apparently sufficient, the best rising temperature for elephant ears is 65° to 75° levels Fahrenheit – the common temperature vary for many properties.
Be very cautious exposing the plant to temperatures under 55° levels Fahrenheit.
Meals and Water
Give your elephant ear plant a dose of 20-20-20 NPK liquid houseplant fertilizer each month from spring by August.
Make sure your fertilizer has micronutrients to make sure wholesome progress, though you might want so as to add a teaspoon of Epsom salts as soon as per 30 days to make sure sufficient magnesium.
Watering elephant ears could be simple and painless when utilizing the soak and dry technique.
Stick your ringer into the soil and water if it feels dry 2” inches down (this depth works for each colocasias and alocasias).
The trick is to pour water slowly sufficient that the potting medium absorbs as quick as you’re pouring.
Use distilled or pure rainwater, pour slowly and evenly, working your approach across the pot.
Keep away from getting the plant itself moist, as this will improve the danger of fungal infections.
Cease watering once you both see moisture starting to seep from the drainage holes or the floor can now not take up as quick as you’re pouring.
Keep in mind to chop again on water and fertilizer throughout autumn and winter, because the plant will likely be in its dormant interval.
Grooming and Upkeep
You might discover the necessity to prune the plant for form often or to take away broken and diseased leaves, however watch out to not overdo it.
Moreover, the leaves will should be wiped 1 to 2 instances weekly to make sure no mud buildup.
For those who use a neem-based leaf shine for wiping, it might probably additionally assist forestall pest infestations.
Propagation
The first technique of propagating elephant ear crops is thru division.
Dangers and Issues
Colocasia esculenta is very invasive within the swamplands alongside the Gulf coast, and there could also be restrictions on proudly owning this species inside that area.
The plant is at much less danger of issues indoors however can nonetheless turn into infested by:
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Spider mites
Fungal infections equivalent to powdery mildew and sooty mould are sometimes unintended effects of an infestation however may happen if the leaves get moist.
Different, extra severe dangers brought about primarily by overwatering embody leaf spots and root rot.
As with all aroids, elephant ear crops comprise calcium oxalate crystals.
Whereas thought-about solely mildly poisonous to wholesome adults, ingestion of enormous portions can improve the danger of kidney stones.
Youngsters and canines danger a number of signs, starting from nausea and vomiting to severe unintended effects.
Cats and toy canines are on the highest danger, and ingestion may doubtlessly show deadly at their measurement.
Consequently, it’s greatest to maintain this plant away from any curious mouths.
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