Mammoth Elephant Ears??

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by burdan54, Mar 3, 2010.

  1. burdan54

    burdan54 Member

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    Location:
    Mobile, Alabama
    HI all,

    After several attempts at finding planting and care information on the Mammoth elephant ear, I am asking here.

    I live in zone 9a and would like to know the proper planting time, care instructions, and most important, which side is the top on my bulb or tuber or whatever it is.

    Please and thank you.
     
  2. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Sounds like Colocasia gigantea or Colocasia esculenta, but that common name is used for a number of plants in the family Araceae; since you say you have a tuber, that would normally limit you to Colocasia or Alocasia. If your tuber is rounded, it's Colocasia, and if it's elongate, it's Alocasia.

    The top of your tuber is the lightly tapered part with the rings and lacking the hairlike structures; plant it as soon as the risk of frost has passed and water it when the soil is dry to the depth of your first knuckle.
     
  3. photopro

    photopro Well-Known Member

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    Location:
    Siloam Springs, AR, USA
    Colocasia esculenta is highly variable and takes on many leaf shapes. Well over 100 forms are known. Most will survive winter as far north as zone 6 although they will go dormant during the cold. If it is an Alocasia, some species including Alocasia odora will survive in cool zones, but not all.

    These links may help: http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Colocasia esculenta large pc.html

    http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Natural variation within aroid and plant species.html

    http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Alocasia odora2 pc.html
     

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