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Late EE's
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Posted by dirty_toes Bklyn (My Page) on Fri, Oct 24, 03 at 22:27
| My 3 end of summer elephant ears I'm hoping to save for next year. |
Image link: Late EE's (43 k)
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Late EE's
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| dirty toes,, just love your EE's. I planted some in a large container for the first time this summer. To my surprise they grew great.(thanks to all the rain). I wish I could have posted a picture, but I have not yet figured out how to do that.. First heave frost got to them the other night and now they are all wilted and drooping down. Could you please help me in the next steps I need to know on taking care of the bulbs for the winter? When do I dig them up? How do I store them for the winter? Thanks for your help. Valerie |
RE: Late EE's
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| I did a search in the gardenweb forums and came up with 24 pages! Most folks in wintery areas dig them up after the first frost, trim the leaves, wash them off, let them dry up for a few days, then store them in crushed paper/peat moss/paper bags in a cool dry place until April when they start them indoors again. This is only my second year with ee's. Last year I didn't dig them up - some folks have said they had great success leaving them in the ground for the winter - and this spring all I found was a big ball of mush. So, I planted new ones this year and plan to dig them up in the next few weeks. Only thing is they are still strong and green with only a few leaves yellowing. I'm also wondering just exactly when to dig them up. I don't want to blow it 'cause these babies were just so gorgeous. Good luck! |
RE: Late EE's
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| Gee thanks for doing that search.. Yours did grow hugh! Where did you get them? I found mine in Walmart of all places. $3 a bulb. Not shure what is a good price but that sounded cheep enough. We got a heavy frost here where I live so the leaves are all droopy but the stems are still standing and green.. I wonder if they should also start to die back before cutting and digging them up?? Like I do with my Canna Lillys.. I guess it would not hurt to leave them in the ground for a few more weeks.. Then hope we get a warm weekend around the end of Nov. to start digging... Good luck with yours too and keep me posted! |
RE: Late EE's
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| They are my splurge 'cause I love them so - $6/each. Because of all the rain they were not coming up so I told the garden center - Shannon's in Brooklyn - and they gave me several more. Within a couple of weeks the older ones did indeed come up so I guess the price per bulb became more reasonable. (Next year I think I'm going to try to plant the ones people eat from the supermarket - I've been told they are the same thing and way cheaper.) I can't bear to cut my EE's down cause they are still going strong tho' a little ragged at the edges. I can't bear to take in my canna either. It is looking somewhat scrappy on the front stoop. I trimmed off the browned leaves and disguised the legginess with a pumpkin. When the neighbors start picketing maybe then I'll bite the bullet.... Keep me posted on yours too! |
RE: Late EE's
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| Please tell me ,,what is the kind people eat? Did not know there was such a bulb that you could eat and grow in your yard. What is it called?? I have a great market here that carries a large varity of produce.(and great plants too, for inside and out). I could check there. That sounds like a good idea, I'll try planting too. |
RE: Late EE's
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| I can't remember the name, perhaps it is malanga. But it looks just like the ones you plant. Several telephone repair guys from the 'islands' who see my elephant ears tell stories of going up to the mountains, wrapping their rice in elephant ears to cook. And the bulb is eaten boiled or in stews like potatos , yucca or other tropical root veggies. Go to a market that caters to Latinos or Caribbean folk to find an assortment of these roots. I, for one, prefer them over potatoes. |
RE: Late EE's
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| How much luck did everyone have with their EE's this spring? I planted my new bulbs in a pot. I am planning on dragging the pot into my shed for the winter. It's a thought. If it doesn't work, then next year I'll dig them up. |
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