Confused about Elephant Ears...

I'm going to plant a few more containers tomorrow and came across some great plants today (omg...I need more as I counted them earlier and only have 45! haha) I wanted something that grew upright and could be a focal point for these large planters I purchased.

Found these great Elephant ears. On the label they're called "California Elephant Ears" - Alocasia Odora "California". On the label info it says they grow 4'-8' tall/3'-5' wide. However, everything I'm reading about the "California" variety says that this is a dwarf Elephant ear and will probably only grow about 36" (they're probably about 24" now). Now, the regular Odora varieties apparently grow tall...I'm just really confused about this variety and I'm finding that you just can't trust the tags on Home Depot plants. Has anybody had any experience with these?

Love the plant and can't wait to get planting tomorrow as I have some really cool things to mix in with them!

Thanks so much

Kat

I think Kat, that you are ok if you wanted a taller one. The real California does stay smaller. It is very hard to tell the difference when they are young, but the best way that I can tell is to look at where the veins hit the midrib right at the bottom. On the Californias, the veins are very close to each other and I don't see that with yours. Also with the Californias, the mature leaf is less oblong and more heartshaped-pretty distinctively so.
Also, the California is Alocasia gagaena 'California'

I believe I've this variety as well. I can't recall where I purchased it. It seems to be tad smaller than most taros. But what caught my attention is that its leaves, stalks has a shiny sheen, and the color is chatreuss (sp?), instead of dark green, or purple ect.
Kim

My California stays very small, less tthan 2 ft. tall. The Cental Florida Farms website lists an Alocasia California Gagaena that grows to 5-6 feet:

http://www.centralfloridafarms.com/alocasias.htm

The California does seem to be confusing - I'm going to ask an EE guru friend.

Kim, if your alocasia has chartreuse foliage, it probably isn't California; it sounds more like a. Plumbea Nigra, or possible a. Wentii.

Steve

Well, I planted mine a few days ago and here's one of the containers. It really has spread out this week. Does have that Brighter green color though, unlike a couple others I have planted in the yard.
This variety really is such a pretty plant and I love the fact it grows upright. It really doesn't matter to me if it grows taller or not. We'll see!

Thanks for all your info

Kathy

Hi KatG
I'm located in Lakewood CA (zone 10). When I purchased this home 3 years ago, I had one plant such as yours. I had no idea what it was. My treeman came over to trim my tall trees, and told me that he grew a similar plant in Guam when he was a child. He showed me how to take one big swipe with a sharp knife, or shovel, and cut a suckling from the mother plant, and put the suckling in a pot, or ground. My entire backyard, side yard and front yard are sprinkled with them. They grow great in pots and the ground. They tallest is apx. 6 feet tall.
Last January we had a really bad frost. All the leaves wilted like lettuce over night. It took a while, but they all came back in the spring. Even the ones in the pots.
I do not know the name of them, as my treeman has a very strong accent, and I couldn't understand what he called them.
I hope you enjoy your plant as much as I enjoy mine.
Patty
Lakewood, CA


This message was edited Sep 16, 2007 11:40 AM

Thank-you Patty for such great info...

I still haven't determined the variety, but I really like them a lot. They're doing very well in containers and 3 months later have grown, but not out of control. I picked up 2 more and planted them out in the ground and they're also doing well. Cut them all back last weekend and took several of the leaves and put them in water in a big vase. They're still lasting and gorgeous. My property here is pretty new and I grew a few more from bulbs and they just don't seem to be doing as well. I really like the upright growing pattern here...

Thanks again

Kat

Your arrangements are amazing!

Thanks Eden...Started out with about 3 pots last October and now am up to about 60! hehe. In Florida, I'm finding that container gardening is the best if you want color and vibrance during the hot Summer months. I'm taking a rest until October to replant, when it cools down and things will have a better chance of surviving. Right now, I spend a lot of time watering...I really do love it though...it's very therapeutic...

Beautiful containers. I like the 'up ees' too.