Hi Chris.

A few questions: I've always had beautiful elephant ears, but this year they were pretty pitiful. We divided them two years ago, and although they weren't as big last year as they'd been previously, we expected them to flourish this year. We were so disappointed to see these limp plants instead. I know it's been dry, but we've watered faithfully.

Second question is about my upright elephant ears, which are magnificient. Do I have to lift them, or can I mulch heavily instead? I'm seeing conflicting reports on the Web. AND--if I leave them in the ground, will they be as lush next year as they are now?

Next question: Do you have suggestions for an inexpensive greenhouse, some place I can store my tropicals over the winter? Or do you know if anyone rents greenhouse space?

Finally, have we changed to Zone 8?

Thanks!

Jenny

Jenny, As many Memphians know Elephant Ears (Colocasia) have proven to be hardy in our gardens, especially if they are in a protected area of your garden. However, the Alocasia tends to be more tender than the Colocasia thus needing more care when considering what to do with them during the winter months. At the Dixon Gallery and Gardens we have often potted the Alocasia in 3 to 5 gallon pots and 'planted' the pots in the ground for the growing season. When fall arrives we simply pop the pot out of the ground and stored it in a cool area (55 degrees) during the winter, watering it slightly once a month until growing season returns. This process can also be used for caladium, however i would let the caladiums remain dry all winter instead of watering them once a month.
Remember, after lifting the pots in the fall, to allow the leaves to die back then cut them off before storing.

Ellen LeBlond

Jenny:

I'm not sure what is causing problems with your elephant ears or what to do about them so I hope some other gardeners will chime in the answers.

I do know they like a lot of water and it was dry here all summer. It could be that chlorinated water from your swimming pool has been splashed out into the soil where your elephant ears are planted. They don't like that.

Here is also a great site with information on their care. http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/colo_esc.cfm

Common elephant ears are colocasias. The upright elephant ears, which are alocasias, are generally thought of as less hardy. But Tony Avant, of Plant Delights Nursery in North Carolina, says alocasias are hardy to Zone 7b, the hardiness zone for the city of Memphis.

Most gardeners lift the bulbs out of the ground and store them in a place that doesn't get below freezing for the winter.

You could leave some in the ground and cover them with a heavy mulch. If we have a mild winter, they might come back.

I do not know of an inexpensive greenhouse to purchase or about greenhouse space to rent. Readers can you help out?

A lot of gardeners mistakenly think we have been moved out of Zone 7 into Zone 8.

A report submitted to the US DA several years ago recommended that change. But the report, which was said to have employed some faulty scientific methods, was never adopted by the agency.

Chris