When I was a child my grandmother had a bed of huge elephant ears off our screen porch. That house was lost to a fire years ago and she lost all the plants too. Now that I'm grown with my own home I would love to put in a nice bed of them for my daughter to enjoy but I know nothing about them other than how awesome they seemed to me as a child. I do know grandma did not have to dig hers out and store them over the winter, she just watered them and gave them all the tea and coffee grounds and they got huge.
I would love it if someone could suggest a variety for me to try that would do well in my area and gain substantial size.
Thanks in advance for any tips.
Advice needed
Most likely she had what I call the common form of Colocasia esculenta. It is commonly seen in walmarts and homedepots across the nation. Sold as large tubers. It is most likely a hybrid and a tetraploid. An easy grower with large green leaves bigger than most species. They are hardy to about zone 7. Their are tons of new forms showing up on the market different colors sizes and hardiness. Two other very large growers would be Jacks Giant and Gigantea.
I added a picture of the common form below.
Taro is easy to grow and tastes good too!
I ran out and checked my local walmart and Lowes last night for bulbs. I picked up my mother and dragged her along for advice and I'm glad I did. She said that the bulbs they had left were too soft and I needed to find some that were more firm feeling. I guess they've had them too long? They are not that pricey but I still don't want to pay close to ten bucks a bulb for mush that won't do well. I guess I'll hit up the one nursery we have in the next town over, lol.
Thank you guys for letting me know I can find these things locally.
I found a bulb! Lol, only bought one but I brought it home and my daughter is tickled pink with it. It was at walmart and it's the common type that you mentioned. I hope it spreads like everyone said it does. We have a bed that is against our house and surrounded with concrete patio so they have an area of about 12 x 6 that they can't escape from. We planted it yesterday in a pot until we get the bed dug out and prepared.
Anyone know how long until we can expect to see some leaves sprouting? It was a big bulb, about like a softball but oblong instead of perfectly round.
They should sprout right away. Be sure to plant it with the right side facing up :-) I like to leave the growing tip slightly exposed and go easy on the water until I see some leaves start coming. Results (how fast) can vary depending on the state of the bulb, but you will often see them sprouting in stores even before planting when they are ready to go.
Brian, that's a great "common" form in your pic. I've never seen one that big around here (or do people just naturally grow smaller in your part of the country?)
I try to use vertically challenged people in my photos.
I think the trick is to huge plants is well protected areas with partial sun great rich soil that drains well and lot and lots of water. Most people make the mistake of over or under watering poor soil and to much fertilizer. I wont fertilize my plants until first of June or when the plants look good and healthy.
I have to grow mine in pots, so that limits things.
Haha, as a 4'10" woman I appreciate the "vertically challenged" wording. Same thing my husband says, or dwarf if he's looking to get me riled up lol.
Krowten, don't think that planting in pots will limit size. My computer is in the shop so I can't post a pic of my huge EE's. My alocasia was up to the eaves on the kitchen. Oh,ok, so it was several years old. Lots of water and miracle grow. 1 tablespoon of urea per gallon of water once a week during the summer really kicks their butts too. LOL