I live in NY so I lift my Elephant Ears each fall. This is my third season - first year, 2 HUUUGE bulbs, planted to the neck and had great luck and my neighbors loved my yard. I pulled in the Fall and let the foliage dry and cut it off. Next year, there was a medium size bulb flowing up from the bottom bulb - I went conservative and planted to the neck of the original bulb. Now what? Can I plant it to the neck of the second (middle bulb) or will the bottom bulb rot. I can't explain any better than it looks almost like a bulb snowman - big butt, medium middle and smallest head. Basically, the growth from each year has created another top layer. I've done well separating the bulbils off the side. But, I'm stumped here - how deep to plant? Should I cut off the top layer (thought worries me)? I love this pair of bulbs, but in 10 years, this thing is going to look very strange. Thanks in advance - Sandra
Tri-level stacked elephant ears - how deep to plant
Sandra,
The top tuber is the one that has this coming seasons leaves. The parts of the tuber below the top one are starch storage.
Bury up to the neck of the top again. When the leaves start to emerge dig gently around the and see where the roots are located. Next year, if you feel the need you will know where to cut off the excess. You cut below where this seasons roots started.
There is no reason to cut off the excess unless you have to dig a 3 foot deep hole to get it in the soil.
Dale, thanks - that makes sense. I've never grown these before - and by year 3, I was starting to wonder if they'd end up looking like totem poles. I just popped them and will look forward to them growing into the big beauties they were last year. It's truly refreshing to have something like this in the dolldrums of summer here in NY.