Propagating Giant Elephant Ear

[aahardesty]

I understand I can get seeds from my giant elephant ear. But I'm not sure exactly how.
I would like to propagate it without digging it up and dividing the root ball. Can anyone give me some advice?

See my AMAZING Giant Elephant Ear at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/aahardesty

Thanks,
Allison

[turtleguy]

Hey Allison, that is one spectacular plant! Try this site. It might be of some help. www.aroid.org/horticulture/araceae_seed_sowing.html

[aahardesty]

Thank you for directing me to those instructions.

Looking at my pics, do you think the seed are in the giant pod beneath the white flower part?

Do you think I should let it die on the plant, or break it off and let it air dry. I just can't tell.

Thanks,
Allison

[turtleguy]

According to these pictures, the pod should split open when the seeds are ripe. If indeed these are from the same type of alocasia. www.centralfloridafarms.com/pollination2005.htm

[aahardesty]

Thanks again. My plant is about to have 3 flowers at the same time, so I will experiment.

I will be moving next year and I REALLY want to have one of these to take with me!

It will be interesting to see how it goes. I'll have to report back in the spring.

[turtleguy]

You are very welcome! Good luck and keep us posted....

[Durgan]

https://xrl.us/odz8

These are consolidated pictures of my experience growing my first Elephant Ear. Why grow it anyway? This plant is rare in Zone 5 and is an eye-catching plant in the home garden. If successful as to size, I may put it on the front lawn next year. Different anyway!

23 July 2006.
https://xrl.us/pbr4
Some leaves damaged by bugs and weather were removed. The plant is thriving.

https://xrl.us/pt3z
30 July 2006. Elephant Ear (Colocasia Esculentum) Growing well. Neena is admiring the plant lying on the picnic table.


How does it compare with Loxodonta africana?
https://xrl.us/pug6
You be the judge.

https://xrl.us/q39h
22 August 2006. Elephant ear after about 110 days growth. One pictures has measurements. The leaves are about 22 by 32 inches, and the plant is about 56 inches high. The plant attracts much attention, since they are not to common in my area. The rebar stake in the photos is four feet in length.

https://xrl.us/rnae
8 Sptember 2006 Elephant Ears are still growing and very attractive. This plants gets much attention from visitors.


For wintering I dug up the roots, which were very large about a 2 foot diameter sphere. I planted a part deep in the ground below the frost line and covered with mulch, and made two pots of the remainder. Both pots are growing in the house quite well. One is about four feet tall ( March 2007) with three large leaves. I am hoping the one in the ground will survive.

For fertilizer, I added a little Urea (Nitrogen) once during the summer, but the source of food is mostly compost, and I always watered it extensively about every other day.


Durgan.