Elephant ears (caladium) multiplying- how do I handle this?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
mrshoover Charlotte, NC Apr 21, 2010

Hi,
I bought a home in November, and there were huge Elephant Ears growing about 4 ft. high and 2.5 ft. wide on the side of my house. I have never gardened before, so I didn't know what to do with them. Over the winter the leaves died and now they are coming back. In addition to the old plants however there are a lot of smaller plants sprouting everywhere. Should I allow these to grow (it seems I don't actually have to do anything to get them to grow)? Or should I weed them out? Also, what should I do with the old dead stuff around the base of the big plants (see picture)? I haven't touched them since we moved in because I'm afraid I'll mess them up. HELP!!
Thanks!

Thumbnail by mrshoover
Post #7724340
Quote
mrshoover Charlotte, NC Apr 21, 2010

here's another picture of the other big plant coming back

Thumbnail by mrshoover
Post #7724345
Quote
kwanjin (Zone 7a) Apr 21, 2010

Those little spouts are the "pups" of the mother plant. It's up to you if you want to leave them. You could take them out and move them or give them away. You can also leave the dead leaves as mulch or clean them out.

Some one with more experience with them will confirm or deny what I said. ^_^

Post #7725004
Quote
nanny129 Douglasville, GA Apr 22, 2010

kwanjin-- you are perfectly correct!!!!-maybe mshoover could send the extras our way lol-- funny i lived in west valley(used to run a deli there--(chuckwagon) and (utah cheese works)----- -- we called it death valley--when we lived there almost 20 years ago-- it was the hottest and coldest year in history:-) judy

Post #7727194
Quote
mrshoover Charlotte, NC Apr 23, 2010

Thanks so much for your replies. I guess I'm just going to let them be. (I think if I tried to move them I would probably kill them). I just wanted to make sure the little ones weren't going to make it so that the big ones couldn't grow. They're so big and pretty when they're full size! nanny- I'd love to share, but I wouldn't even know how to begin to send them to you, I have a serious black thumb. lol.

Post #7729935
Quote
Sherryfour Kings Park, NY May 03, 2010

I love the elephant ears, don't I wish I had your problem that they come back every year. I have to dig them up and then they rot over the winter in the garage. It is very expensive to keep buying new plants every spring. They make a beautiful backdrop for the flowers in the garden, and wonderful for flower displays in my home.

Post #7759076
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP