I was given three fist-sized elephant ear "bulbs" (?) this morning by a neighbor who says I should hang them in pantyhose in my greenhouse over winter. Well, several problems with that suggestion -- I don't wear them or own one...
I don't have a "name" for them, but I would love suggestions....
Can I pot them up and overwinter outside with the 200 other things I'm overwintering in pots until Spring, or am I going to have to ask my grandmother for some old pantyhose and tell them they are in a greenhouse, even if it looks like a south-facing window?
Elephant Ears
It sounds like you might have Colocasia esculata (Taro) tubers, and they SHOULD be fine if you stick them on a shelf in your basement.... You could also plant them in a pot and just start them early. I've got 3 2-3 gallon pots of Colocasias in my computer room for the winter... they add some nice cheery greenery to the room.
Brian (bwilliams) is the resident EE expert, so he'll be able to help you better than I can.
Hey Sidney! We met at the Knoxville plant swap - - I'm the lady that gave you cannas.
Anyway, Hikaro_Takayama is correct. Your colocasia esculata bulbs will be fine stored in a cool place like a basement or garage- - no pantyhose required!
Howdy! And thanks for the cannas again, I can't wait for spring!!!!!! For the flowers AND the next plant swap.
Put the EE with the dahlias in the cool basement and see what happens.
If you're over-wintering Dhlias and Canna...EE's will be a snap.
When you start them come Spring make sure you have high temps though.
Unlike dahlia and canna they will just sit there (and maybe rot) if the soil temps aren't up.
Ric
Thanks! This is my first winter for dahlias and ee's. I leave cannas in the ground... they are almost invasive here -- she said gleefully....
Wayeh:
EEs should be hardy where you live, then... My Uncle's mother and father in law, who live in Walhalla, SC (zone 7b) have a large EE that they leave outside all winter. There are even certain varieties, such as Pink China, gigantea, Big Dipper, and a few others, that are actually hardy to ZOne 6 with mulch! One guy at a local nursery said he keeps his regular taro outside over winter with mulch, however, it takes them forever to come up in the spring.... The super hardy varieties I just named are much faster, though.