| we buy elephant ear bulbs every year put them in and usually they grow but this year nothing. And ho should they be taken out? We have tried several options taking them out in the fall and storong them over winter and leaving them in for next year but they end up usually being mush. |
| Elephant ears won't really begin to grow until the soil gets warm so you may want to jump start yours by planting them indoors in the spring and then taking them outdoors once the weather has warmed up. If yours did not grow at all this year, I'd toss the tubers and purchase new ones next spring. Then, in the fall, once a light frost has killed off the tops, trim that off, dig up the tubers, air dry it for several days and then store in a cool but not cold location -- about 50 to 55 degrees seem to work well. Pack in sawdust or soilless potting mix or similar material in a cardboard box or paper bag, not in plastic which could cause condensation. Check periodically for mold (this would indicate it is too damp) or growth (indicates it is too warm); if it turns mushy it has been too cold. Finding the right spot to overwinter can be a challenge and often takes some trial and error. Enjoy your elephant ears! |
