Elephant Ear Plant (Colocasia Esculentum)

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by Durgan, May 14, 2006.

  1. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    http://xrl.us/myc4

    There are two pictures of an Elephant Ear tuber I recently purchased showing each end of the tuber. I think this is Colocasia Esculentum, but am not definite on this.

    Which end do I point to the bottom of the starting pot?

    All the web sites studiously avoid mentioning which is top and bottom of the tuber. The best suggestion was 50/50 by planting on its side.
    Durgan.[/SIZE][/FONT]
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2006
  2. Ginger Blue

    Ginger Blue Active Member

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    The one on the left is the top.
     
  3. L.plant

    L.plant Active Member

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    The end with the concentric ring pattern goes up and the end with all the small holes goes down. However even if you plant it upside down it will right itself eventually. Sideways is fine too. Try to let the top of the tuber just barely peek out from the top of the soil and keep it moist. Good luck.
     
  4. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    Thanks. I confirm your replies. I dug it up carefully after two weeks in a pot, and discovered that many shoots about one inch long are growing from the bottom and from the side eyes. I planted it up as you have indicated the left photo, http://xrl.us/myc4 which by guess work was correct. There is a slight indication of upward shoots starting from the top judging by the slight bulges showing on the top of the tuber.

    The smooth ringed end of the tuber is the top. Many thanks.

    Durgan.
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2006
  5. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    http://xrl.us/myde
    The root was planted 24 May 2006 in the ground and is growing rapidly. I put the top of the root even with the ground. This is the growth after about a month in the greenhouse, and a week in the ground.

    Durgan.
     
  6. Weekend Gardener

    Weekend Gardener Active Member 10 Years

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    That's wonderful. Give it lots of water and feed well. And give it lots of room!
     
  7. Carol Ja

    Carol Ja Active Member 10 Years

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    I got a couple of pounds of Colocasia Esculentum at the chinese market really cheap, everything came up. Big leaves everywhere. They like loads of manure and water if you can spare it. To confirm which bulg you have, its the same as mine. Esculentum
     
  8. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    http://xrl.us/nera Update. 14 June 2006

    This is the growth of the elephant ear (Colocasia Esculentum) 14 June 2006. Contrast this with 2 June pictures. http://xrl.us/myde This is about 6 weeks from the time I started it in the greenhouse. I notice the leaves unravel, similiar to wrapping a piece of paper around a fat pencil and slowly unwinding. The leaves should be fully out in a few days.

    Durgan.
     
  9. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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  10. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    http://xrl.us/nga7

    Leaves finally opening

    Picture of the leaves opening today. 15 June 2006. Six weeks after planting, four in greenhouse and two weeks plus in the ground. I notice some bug got to one leaf.

    Durgan.
     
  11. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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  12. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    http://xrl.us/n9tm

    http://xrl.us/n9tm

    Elephant Ear 4 July 2006. The plant is thriving. The green appears a little light, so I am withholding the water a bit. I think I was watering too much, Anyway I will observe it over the next few days. More leaves keep coming up. It is interesting to see how the leaves unroll. Sort of unique in my experience, such as it is.
    Durgan.
     
  13. photopro

    photopro Well-Known Member

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    I just ran across this thread while doing some research. The correct scientific name of this plant is Colocasia esculenta, not "esculentum". This species has at least 68 scientific synonym names and it appears someone has tried to combine portions of an older scientific name (Colocasia esculentum)with the current genus to come up with this spelling. You can verify the correct spelling on either TROPICOs which is a service of the Missouri Botanical Garden http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html or the International Plant Names Index (IPNI) http://www.ipni.org/index.html

    Here is more detailed information:

    http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Colo...arge pc.html
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2008

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