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Harlem, GA on Aug 09, 2012

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Walter, I need Elephant Ear Advice

All of my EE over wintered but they are t-i-n-y. And I had purchased some of the largest varieties. I have fertilized, it helped a little but they are not what the were last year, very sad. Any idea on how to pep them up? BTW, It's the same for the ee in pots and the ones in the ground. I haven't taken a picture to post, they are so puny. I'll take some tomorrow and post the little guys.

16 Comments

Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Are there any other aspects of their growing conditions that might explain this? A lack of water for example?

on Aug 09, 2012 · Like 0
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

Elephant ears need specific conditions to overwinter in good health. My bet is that they were kept a bit warm and used up some of their reserves.

on Aug 09, 2012 · Like 0
CAROL H Harlem, GA

They have plenty of water, I have sprinklers. They have compost, fertilizer and mulch. Some are in pots and some were in the ground. We are a few degrees warmer than ATL. I have attached some pictures of the sad little guys. Any help is much appreciated :)
on Aug 09, 2012 · Like 0
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

The situation I referred to was the warm winter....the bulbs may have used up their reserves and gotten weak.
In their natural environment they don't have a winter dormant period.

on Aug 09, 2012 · Like 0
CAROL H Harlem, GA

So, will I have to dug them up and store them in my house or greenhouse for the winter?

on Aug 09, 2012 · Like 0
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

They need to be kept in a place that gives them temps between 65 and 45 degrees

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 1
CAROL H Harlem, GA

Thanks, Walter! Going to have some time invested in them, since I have so many.

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Molly Chamblee Raleigh, NC

Carol, we had a soft winter in NC as well. My ears have only been in the same place for 2 years and they are as big as I have ever seen! I would check your dirt or look for lil white natt things that eat at the roots. I will post a photo of mine to show. They are in an area that never dries and only gets afternoon sun.

on Aug 11, 2012 · Like 1
Molly Chamblee Raleigh, NC

Carol, we had a soft winter in NC as well. My ears have only been in the same place for 2 years and they are as big as I have ever seen! I would check your dirt or look for lil white natt things that eat at the roots. I will post a photo of mine to show. They are in an area that never dries and only gets afternoon sun.

on Aug 11, 2012 · Like 0
CAROL H Harlem, GA

Molly, thanks so much for your post. Yay! Hopefully I won't have to dig them up and store. I was looking for a larger greenhouse online last night. I'm thinking that they are not getting enough water and light. I may have to transplant into a better area. What type of elephant ears do you have? That may be a factor as well so are hardier than others.

on Aug 11, 2012 · Like 0
Molly Chamblee Raleigh, NC

They are old family ears passed down for half a century. They were just moved from Wilson NC where they did not get as big, but were not in as moist of a spot. I literally threw them into the lowest, wettest spot in the yard and they took off. I did not even plant them and we had a very hard winter that year. I did plant them in another spot with morning sun and little water, and they grew; but they only grew knee high. The ones with West sun and dirt that never dries are about 12 feet tall and 4' width.
on Aug 13, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

I think Molly provides proof in the pudding that elephant ears like moist soil.

on Aug 13, 2012 · Like 0
CAROL H Harlem, GA

I think you are right, Douglas. Mine must not be getting enough water. Going to have to move them. Thanks, Molly!!

on Aug 13, 2012 · Like 0
Belinda Beggs-Powell Overton, TX

i have elephant ears that grow wild where my washer and dishwasher drain out back of my house.....i transplant them all over my yard......but they grow best back where the drain is because of all the damp dirt

on Aug 22, 2012 · Like 1
Normi Mann

Did you cut them down in the fall? These are evergreen and should not be cut, just clean up the underleaves in the spring. Normi, Master Gardener

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 0
CAROL H Harlem, GA

I live in GA. They are not evergreen here.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 0