My Prehistoric Plant

Not really! But my nephew thinks it is. I went out yesterday to take a picture of my elephant ear because I imagine it will get killed off by frost next week I have three more but this is the largest. Wish me luck because I never have success in overwintering bulbs , but I always try. DH said next year not to plant it so close to the steps

Wow, look at that thing!!!!! It's a bulb? I could use a few of those, but like you, I am VERY bad at overwintering bulbs.

Yes - they are bulbs -

I planted a couple a few years ago, decided I didn't much care for them because they are water sucker-uppers and I really had to keep after them to keep them hydrated as it were. Well, let me tell you, down here they will spread. I thought I had dug them all up last year to give to a neighbor who had admired them but I've got at least half a dozen of the little darlin's in my front bed . I don't do anything to them to overwinter them either, hoping they will die, but probably since I decided I don't want them they're just going to be contrary.

I would like some of the smaller black ones however; I may plant a couple next spring.

In Florida I think Wild Taro is on the list for being a "pest" plant. In the northern states it's tropical looking because hardly anything gets that big I didn't have to water mine much, but I know they are used in water container gardens

Wow! Those sure are big! I grew two in containers this year and enjoyed watching them. I'm brand new to gardening but want to "pick it up" as a hobby.
Here's a link I found about them some time ago.
http://www.emilycompost.com/elephant_ear.htm

They suck up water? Wohoo! I have an area that is always wet wet wet. I will have to try those there next year.

I have the nuisance ferns. I thought I pulled them all up - but noooo... late in the season I had 5 of the little buggers pop up.

That is one monster plant!

Originally Posted by Sailfish

Wow! Those sure are big! I grew two in containers this year and enjoyed watching them. I'm brand new to gardening but want to "pick it up" as a hobby.
Here's a link I found about them some time ago.
http://www.emilycompost.com/elephant_ear.htm

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Great info! Thanks!

They DO look like something you'd see a dinosaur trudging past.

Wow! It makes your steps look like doll furniture! I've never seen those things get so big.

You've done really well with that Chris - your nephew is right it does look like a dinosaur plant doesn't it!

DH - only thinking of the practical not the decorative

Your elephant ear is amazing, Chris!

Wow, that's gorgeous! I love elephant ears & as a plant lover in Florida have always wanted one, but never had the right place for one that big.

Originally Posted by Talon

They suck up water? Wohoo! I have an area that is always wet wet wet. I will have to try those there next year.

I have the nuisance ferns. I thought I pulled them all up - but noooo... late in the season I had 5 of the little buggers pop up.

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Oh, yes. If you've got a wet spot they will love it. Where you are you'll have to replant them every year though as they won't overwinter. Pond folks will plant them on the edges of their ponds in the "marginal" areas. It's like a bog plant.

Originally Posted by Me-n-my guys

Wow, that's gorgeous! I love elephant ears & as a plant lover in Florida have always wanted one, but never had the right place for one that big.

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Be careful! As another poster said, in Florida it's listed as a nuisance plant and will spread --- probably a whole lot more than you want! What you can do to contain them is to get a large container of some sort, garbage can, muck bucket, whatever, and cut the bottom out of it and then bury it with a couple of inches above soil level. Bamboo fans use this method to keep phyllostachus sp. bamboo contained.

Chris their massive!!!, i remember you showing me this not so long ago and i couldn't believe the size of them then!

Those are sooo big! My old neighbor used to have those in front of her house, but her's neeeever got anywhere near that big.
They are very pretty!

Oh wow, Chris. They're are huge! I remember the pic you showed me of hubby beside it, it's grown quite a bit since then! What a neat looking plant though; I'm glad you could get some pics before the frost hit.