| Greetings! I live in Southeastern North Carolina and have several elephant ear plants that I transplanted early this past Spring. Some are on the North side of the house and some on the southern side. I water them 1-2 times per week consistently. However, the large leaves are yellowing and dying. I tried watering with Miracle-Grow but there was no improvement. I read that Epson salt could help and I tried it, but now it has gotten worse. I don't want to loose them! What can I do? Thank you! Elsa |
| Are your plants Colocasia esculenta, or one of the other genus/species that share the nickname "elephant ears?" There are many, with various preferences. One commonality is preferring to stay moist at all times. If you are able to add a pic of the spot, that would help folks recognize possible causes for unhappiness. |
| I planted two large elephant ears in 8 months ago, no idea what kind, as they were a gift from a friend who dug/cut them out of an established group in a ditch not far away. I really didn't think they'd make it, as the 'stump' was at least 8" in diameter with absolutely NO peripheral roots. Planted them under Live Oaks in a bed of firms, the best I could, between the established tree roots. Couldn't get them very deep, so mounded them with dirt and staked them upright. They took off and have grown like crazy and even produced multiple blooms each. They do regularly lose the oldest leaves, which turn yellow - I cut them and the finished blooms off for aesthetics, to prevent the dead leaf from killing the firms it lays on and to relieve the plant of trying to sustain the dying leaf. So I'd say, unless you are losing leaves rapidly, that this is natural leaf lose. Are you still getting new leaves? Mine do stay quite moist, as I have a daily watering/misting system for the fern balls that also hits these and the cannas & shell ginger (all placed there for privacy). I do know elephant ears like wet feet, at least mine do... Could be twice a week watering isn't enough. I mulch heavily (leaves and pine needles) to help retain moisture, keep the soil cool and keep down weeds. |
