I just planted an elephant ear bulb, my questions are.....how long does it take for this to begin rising from the ground and how will it do if I leave it in the ground year long? I am sw of ocala florida. Also do these produce any kind of flower, and when do i fertilize it and with what?
my elephant ear
It will depend on how moist you keep the soil, and how warm the soil is at night-as well as during the day. If it is about 65-70 degrees, I would think in about 3 wks-give or take. They do sometimes produce a flower that is somewhat insignificant, imo. You can use a slow release fert around the base of the ear when you start to see new growth.
it seems like forever for an ee to break ground but than look out they will grow fast
You can also pre-sprout them and then transplant.
That way you don't risk rotting the tuber if the soil is too cool...
though w/ the drainage in FL I'd doubt that will be a problem.
I assume you have Colocasia esculenta. Here's the Spathe...
http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/24858/
Ric