I'm finding too many "heights" on odora. Anywhere from 3-6 ft. That's a fairly wide range. Anyone grow this one in the ground and can you tell me how tall it gets for you? I'm trying to keep short plants in front of tall.

The database shows Upright Elephant Ear (Alocasia odora) as attaining heights of 6 to 8 feet whereas Elephant's Ear (Alocasia odora 'Okinawa Silver') appears to be a more dwarf cultivar with a height to 3 feet .

edited to add: I don't grow Alocasia odora but I wonder if climate and growing conditions would determine whether it's max height would top out at 6 feet or more?

@Kabby 3 to 6ft is about right in the ground for our zone. In my experiences if left in ground over winter the mother plant usually doesn't survive but will sprout 2 or 3 pups in late spring. To get Odora to trunk up you have to dig abd store above freezing. Plant back in spring and it will start new growth from where it left off. I currently have one 9ft tall in a pot i dont know how tall they can get. I did see one in Charleston SC that was around 12ft a few years ago.

Upright Elephant Ear (Alocasia 'Portora') (also sold as Portadora, Portidora, Portodora) grows to 12 feet.

Hmmm wow Charles you are getting maximum mileage out of your odora. This is my only upright so I want to do right by it.
The EEs will be mixed with cannas and hedychium and more EEs. This bed will have plenty of water and sun, fertilizer as I think about it. Thanks to both of you, Lin and Charles.

Hopefully others who grow odora will see this thread and pop in to let us know how tall it gets in their area.

@Kabby 3 to 6ft is about right in the ground for our zone. In my experiences if left in ground over winter the mother plant usually doesn't survive but will sprout 2 or 3 pups in late spring. To get Odora to trunk up you have to dig abd store above freezing. Plant back in spring and it will start new growth from where it left off. I currently have one 9ft tall in a pot i dont know how tall they can get. I did see one in Charleston SC that was around 12ft a few years ago.

Odora is the easiest of the uprights to grow in my opinion. Part sun,feed well and water they can handle more water than most Alocasias. They have spoiled me to the point where I have a hard time with other more picky Alocasias.

When I was looking for the variegated Elephant Ear I saw Odora Silver. I wonder if you are seeing different heights when they take into consideration of then silver. I have found if a plant is variegated it is not as aggressive.

I've been growing Alocasia outside for 6 yrs. in Zone 7-B. if heavily mulched with shredded leaves and a plastic tarp on top of that they do fine in the ground here. No digging. As long as the "Wood" part of the trunk does not freeze, you are good to go.

Thanks Drew, I placed my odora at the back of a new bed. This winter has been fairly mild, I have EEs, cannas, and gingers already breaking dormancy. I know the cold is not over yet but it's nice seeing green!

[Sigh]

Fairly mild is putting it mildly. Heh

72 today and nothing lower than 62 for highs for the next week. GACK And forecasted lowest

I mean - I was contemplating today taking my tropicals outdoors.

WAIT! OMG - it's March 6 fer crying out loud.



Back back on topic. I split & repotted my Alocasia a few days ago.

I'm going to take some pictures of some of the Odora's that are at my parents house.
My Dad wasn't sure about them when they first got planted, he Loves them now!!
There are a couple that are every bit of 10' - 12' tall. They are absolutely amazing!!
A real nice dwarf Alocasia is the California. I grew them a few years ago and I'm thinking about maybe growing some more this year, we'll see. I'm to busy to even think about it right now


biLL

The alocasia in our area are big enough to call attention to themselves. Flanking doorways, they almost appear to look like a palm tree with their sometimes 12 foot stalks and their big, big fans of leaves. Mine are in a pot, however. I don't have a spot where it would look "right" at that height.
plus get all the water they need. But I'm thinking on it. In the large pot they are about 3-4 feet tall. Mine like shade. They are in a heavy clay pot and I was unable to move them and protected them this winter. But due to the mild winter we had, they did just fine in their suspended animation.

Bill I'm surprised that you are even able to post right now. Ten to twelve feet! That is so awesome.
Cheryl I know what you're talking about with the mild winter. I hope to have a great display of all my EEs and maybe even my banana trees will have fruit this year.

Yeah - stupid El Nino - the worst in history has led to much screwed up weather.

I cannot wait to get my Alocasia and Colocasia outside.

Would love to see those pics Bill.

@Kabby,

I'm busier than a one armed paper hanger but hey, all work and no play isn't good for you.
Playing an hour a week right now is about all I get too....lolol...
I'm going to my folks house for dinner tonight. Hopefully "I remember" to take the pics..
I'm starting to get CRS as I get older....lol...

I may try planting one of my big Odoras in the ground this year. I like them in pots because they tend to lean towards the sunlight and in the pot i can rotate them and keep them growing straight up.

7'- A.odora near Charlotte, 4-10-16.