Hi All - I'm wondering if anyone one my zone (6a/7b depending on who you believe!) have ever left EE in the ground and had them come back? My plants are growing in the ground - in a protected courtyard, just a few feet from the house. If I mulched and mulched - do you think they'd come back? I've tried before to dig up the tubers and save 'em, but with no success.
Thanks!
Kara
My folks always leave theres outside on the north side of the house during the winter, it's the coldest side of the house. We're a 7b/8a here though. Each year it's always come back with no problems though, even when snow sat on top of it for a few days. I would think so long as the bulb doesn't freeze, it'd be fine. Just not sure how far down the ground freezes in MA.
We leave ours in the ground here in KCMO, zone 5b or 6.
Shouldn't be a problem.
Is it South facing?
If that area doesn't get excessive water in the Winter they'll be fine.
Here's ours over-wintered last year in the same Zone.
Ric
Ric - Do you mulch yours with anything special for the winter? They are beautiful...! Kara
Thanks Kara!
We mulch w/ leaves but didn't really add a special amount to the bed.
There is though an overhang that stops most rain from hitting that bed.
The ones we left in more exposed areas did not come back.
They rotted in the ground.
I'd try pulling a few bigger bulbs for indoor winter storage and leaving the rest.
Winter storage is actually fairly simple.
We've done it for 5 years w/ no casualties.
Ric
I should mention that mine are planted in a raised bed and on a slight hill, surrounded by Burr Oak tree, Colorado Blue Spruce and lots of Anthony Waterer Spirea - not much exposure to the elements.
Glad this question came up. I have mine in pots; should I just leave them out or put them in my greenhouse?
Ric,
So exactly how do you over winter them ?
Mine are way to big to keep in a pot until Spring this year.
Gosh, they grew like crazy , this is the third year I have had them.
Wonder what they will look like in another 3 years ...... lol
Thanks for any advice ,
Shirley
depending on the cultivar.... xanthosoma....colocasia or alocasia...most green's have bulbs that you can pull up and store over the winter in peat moss. although they must be keep in an area that does not freeze.
other's have root systems those you can leave in their pots.... cut it back and leave the main stem and then over winter in doors. it doesn't look pretty, but it will maintain the plant and it will grow twice the size next season. make sure you water very sparingly. and no feeding.
the black colocasia cultivars are more difficult to overwinter. these have smaller "root" systems usually, although once in a while you can get a bulb. i have stored the roots in peat and then started them in early spring in a warm area. not all come back.
personally, i have never been able to leave them in the ground...even close to the house
