Home»Bulbs»Colocasia
Sometimes Mother Nature care to do dotty thing that humans can not help but bring home . A outstanding representative of this is a group ofplants known as elephant ears .
There are multiple genera of plants bearing this soubriquet , most famously :
There are 90 species ofalocasias(a - lo - KAY - shuh ) , 7caladiums(ka - LAY - dee - um ) , and 12 colocasias ( kol - oh - KAY - see - uh ) .
Of course , there are additional plants sometimes referred to as elephant ears , but you will most often see these three genus being sell under that name .
The moniker amount from the often massive size of their leaves , which resemble an elephant ’s ear .
While you could grow these perennial outdoors in fond enough areas , most US house physician will have to develop them indoors .
Indoor Elephant Ear Care
Size And Growth
Elephant ears are intimately known for their incredible leaf sizing .
Colocasia are 3′ to 6′ foot tall and have the large leaves , which can be as pocket-sized as 8″ inches or a massive 5′ feet long !
On the other hand , Alocasias have a max leafage distance of cheeseparing to 35″ inches and run to grow to a height of 2 to 6′ ft tall , depending on the metal money .
caladium are the little plants , with rounded leaves measuring 6″ to 18″ inches and an overall height of only 15″ to 35″ inches .
The difference in leaf size and elevation can issue forth in ready to hand if you ’re unsure what kind of elephant ear plant you have ( such as when someone gives it to you as a gift ) and you require to specify down the possibilities .
These plants have a relatively fast outgrowth rate ; you’re able to expect them to originate a few feet each year .
However , this is under idealistic condition , so your elephant ear may produce slower and smaller indoors .
Flowering And Fragrance
Elephant ear plants seldom – if ever – bloom indoors .
If , but some miracle , you do finagle to get one to make flowers , you might not even notice the lilliputian white bud , which tend to be hidden by the leaf .
Light And Temperature
All elephant pinna plant make out from dense forests where the canopy sink in light down . This is why they have such large leaves , and direct sun can easily scorch the plant .
endeavor to regain a nice sunny window on the east or west of your family where the flora can get bright luminousness in the dawn ( or even ) but have some shade in the good afternoon .
Conversely , you may place it in a cheery room to one side of the window or use a sheer curtain to filter out the Lord’s Day ’s light beam .
Humidity is a sticky point , but one you’re able to fiddle with a moment to witness the best level .
As a general rule , you may produce just about any elephant ear plant at 50 % to 60 % percent humidity .
They will ordinarily do okay if the humidity degree does n’t overleap below 40 % percent .
Alocasias especially love humidity and will thrive when it is near to 70 % percent , but they can also deal these lower levels at the cost of a minuscule sizing .
Most elephant ear plant will prosper in a temperature range of 65 ° to 85 ° degrees Fahrenheit in the daylight .
The exception is the Colocasias , which favor a slimly lovesome 70 ° to 85 ° degree Fahrenheit during the day .
In all casing , nighttime temperatures can be as low as 60 ° degrees Fahrenheit and hurt damage when temperatures drop below 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
Watering And Feeding
you’re able to urine elephant ear plant using either the soak - and - juiceless method acting or the bottom - up method .
The finger trick will secernate you when it ’s time , which literally means stick your finger straight down in the soil to see how dry it is .
However , this is one of the place where sleep together the genus topic .
Caladiums are small and need much more H2O , so you ’ll want to irrigate when the soil is only ½ ” an inch down ( midway to your first knuckle joint ) .
Meanwhile , most other elephant ear plants wo n’t need to be watered until the grease is dry 2 ” inches down ( to the second metacarpophalangeal joint ) .
The skillful news is that eating is much easier . Elephant ear plant can be fed a balanced smooth houseplant fertiliser monthly from natural spring through August .
Be sure to hack back during fall and wintertime so the plant can rest .
Soil And Transplanting
Elephant ear plant need loamy , well - drained soil with a slightly acidic ( 6.0 to 6.5 ideally , but up to 7.0 is hunky-dory ) pH stage .
Succulent potting mixeswith some added perlite are double-dyed , although you’re able to also make your own soil - loose mixture .
You will want to repot these plant life annually to refresh the soil content .
The faster - growing varieties may require to graduate a container size of it at this prison term to avoid root bandage .
Grooming And Maintenance
Due to the orotund size of it of their foliage , the leaf will involve to be wiped down one to two times per workweek .
at times , you may cut back a leaf or two to withdraw damaged or shape the plant .
However , despite these plants ’ generally fast growth pace , you do n’t require to remove too much at once .
How To Propagate Elephant Ear Plants?
These plants seldom flower in captivity , making stem cutting the only light extension method . The adept word is that you may pass around the cutting in either territory or water .
Elephant Ear Pests Or Diseases
Aphids , wanderer mites , and mealy bug are all know to assault these works .
Likewise , overwatering , excessive humidity , or entrust the leaves wet can result in fungal transmission or root rot .
Most elephant ear plant contain Ca oxalate crystal , which are toxic to pets and can harm human in great quantities . More on theelephant ear plant being toxicant or toxic .
Alocasias also contain additional irritants , although some species can be comestible if properly prepared .
Colocasias are edible and used in numerous culture as a food crop .
Elephant Ear Uses
The most obvious use for elephant ear works is to create conversation .
small variety can be display on stands or end tables , while the taller varieties are a great accession to entrance .
span two to couch a particularly picturesque window or meth doors for a swish accent .
As mentioned , Colocasias can be used as a food craw , cave in them the function to go along with the form .
read more with theseElephant Ears raise Guides
