Overwintering Colocasia esculenta - Winter Care for Elephant Ears!

[@TwistedVegans3Dvids]

That music just put a big smile on my face 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

😂 I thought it might wake people up!

[@TropicalJungleIreland]

Love the music, very original 😷

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

😂😂😂

[@emzsantillan1207]

Sending full my supports👍☘️🍀🌿

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Emz, good luck with your plants!

[@wiebestuive824]

Over here in the Northern part of the Netherlands, I've been growing Colocasia "Pink China" for more than ten years. I always leave them in the soil (admittedly, well-drained sandy soil). They disappear over winter, but they always show up again the next spring. In the extremely cold spring of 201, I thought I had lost them; the first sign of new growth could only be detected on the first of July, but the plants did well afterwards. We sometimes have night temperatures below minus ten °C. Last Winter we had a week with such night temperatures and the Colocasias did well.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks excellent and good to know! I guessed they’d be fine to -10 but to take that for nights on end is impressive! Do you bother to mulch them or just leave them as they are now?

[@wiebestuive824]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden As soon as the first nightly frosts make my colocasias, cannas and hedychiums collapse, I cut the leaves and stalks to small pieces with an ordinary pair of scissors and distribute the stuff as a mulch over the roots. In the course of spring, the dead plant material turns into compost and gives back most of the good stuff to the soil.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@wiebestuive824 I actually do the same here, got a vid coming up on soil improvements. It’s great to know you have success with Pink China even in your winters! Thanks for the knowledge 😃

[@o000omusico000o]

@@wiebestuive824 hi was just reading what you wrote and i'm happy to hear your pink china's get on in ground mine was really small few small leaves on so in greenhouse this winter but next year will leave out its days in the garden ,and thank you for telling us nice to know that i can put out and not be worried :)

[@iriviking774]

what a coincidence im also from the north of the netherlands and ive had minus 14 and the came back strong in late spring

[@antonysmith8880]

Another great short how to video lol 😆 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

😂 I could have made a 30 second dry storing video but where is the fun in that!? 😂

[@antonysmith8880]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden no fun at all 🤣 I love the fact that you are so down to earth. Its very easy watching and like me half your plants will need moving 🤔

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@antonysmith8880 Haha thanks, I appreciate it. Yes, I’ve got a few plants to get moved this weekend for sure!

[@geesgardeningclubuk5247]

Iv dug mine up and attempting to keep as a house plant 🙏🏼

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, I’ve done that with some of mine too. Good luck 😃

[@roserainbird2365]

I would pay to chill in your garden 😂🪴

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha thanks, maybe that's a sign I need outside, prices for a 10 minute chill, a couple of hours and a luxury overnight rate! Well, no actual luxury but plants and village vibes in spades!

[@jonnabutler6292]

This is a really helpful and informative video. Thank you for sharing. I like what you said about giving an “exotic vibe” without worrying about every single plant having to be tropical.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much and I'm pleased that advice was helpful. Part of me does worry that a lot of people just go out in spring and buy a load of tender plants trying to create the look and end up either very busy or disappointed in winter when you could have a very similar look without a lot of the worries. This is something that I've tried to expand on in my current nursery shopping series.

[@TheLivingBackyard]

I need to do this too but dreading it lol That time of year I guess!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha you'll be fine! Yep, it seems to come around quicker every year!

[@tedscott1478]

Thanks for another good lighthearted and helpful video. Keep up the great work...

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Ted, I appreciate it 😃

[@shineamenmbs3107]

Omg, what a shock, I wasn't expecting that! May be not a sacrilege as it is for its own sake, but a slaughter at least! Kind of an immortal plant! :) That reminds me a bit of how my grandfather used to keep Dahlias during winter. Beside that, he used to take Pelargonium zonale ("Geranium" ) off the ground and keep them upside down in the basement during winter. End of my blog for today! ^^ George, thank you for this informative video! :)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, a bit brutal but definitely similar to dahlias etc. I didn’t realise you could do it with Pelargoniums though, thanks for the info! 😃

[@shineamenmbs3107]

​@@GeorgesJungleGarden Yes, different plants are used to that treatment. As far as i remember, the Pelargoniums were not in a good shape when they were taken out of the basement (they looked pretty pale/chlorotic because of the poor light...) We all need sunlight, don't we?...

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@shineamenmbs3107 Ah right, that’s to be expected I guess! We certainly do, hopefully plenty of it next year 😃

[@o000omusico000o]

Another great video George,loved the music and i would never drift off watching any of your videos, always very good to watch ,i have one Colocasia i trialing in the garden but big corm i had sent from america this year all of its 5 pups are in the greenhouse and will be keeping eye on them ,new Colocasia with just roots is in my front room in water going to see how that goes to all worth a try i also wrapped up my Musa sikkimensis Red Tiger and Musa basjoo got all 20 bananas cosy in heated greenhouse .ps thanks for great video as always

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha thank you and it sounds like you’re very prepared! Time for me to get everything in this weekend. I’ve heard they grow well in just water too, I guess the key is them being kept warm then the combination is probably similar to what they’d naturally grow in. Thanks for watching and good luck with your winter growing!

[@o000omusico000o]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks and your to ,

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@o000omusico000o ☺️☺️☺️

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Another great video. Really helpful advice. I agree with you 100% with your view on colocasia choices in our climate. I have tried others including mojito and they are so temperamental to store. Esculenta survived in pots outdoors last winter but I've just dry stored this year for ease. Any others bar pink china I'll grow as annuals I think from now on. Cheers

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much and good to know you’ve come to the same conclusion! I’m all for growing plants that require effort to have something special but when you can have Colocasia that look similar to the more tender ones and size up more reliably for a fraction of the effort it’s a no brainer! Mojito is still a stunner though 😃

[@alanthecat59]

Taro Plant Colocasia esculenta is a tropical plant grown primarily for its edible corms, a root vegetable most commonly known as taro',

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That is true! Only grown for its big leaves here and it certainly adds to the tropical vibe! 😃

[@missdimples1982]

Hi George, I know what you mean about the smell this time of year, it's invigorating, especially walking in the woods

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Definitely, I do enjoy autumn despite having an exotic garden 😂

[@db6625]

I’ve got my fingers crossed for next season, that some Pink China’s become available on the market………I tried a few suppliers with no joy.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I’m sure they will do, Turn it Tropical should have some at least I’m sure, maybe Desert to Jungle too.

[@adamfry8171]

Based on the ones I got this year I would recommend Lush Garden Exotics. The two I got from them went bonkers and pupped all over. Hoping they survive the winter and I get to see them thrive again next year. Bring on the Summer 😎

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@adamfry8171 Thanks for the recommendation and I’m sure they’ll make it through just fine. Yes, hopefully a proper start to summer too, not frost dodging until June 😂

[@ben.3]

I got mine from a seller on ebay called toucan tropicals

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@ben.3 Great recommendation and a top seller from what I’ve heard 😃

[@filipmissotten9325]

Great video George..😊👍 I've also find out that these two Colocasia are verry easy to grow and overwinter. This year, bought Esculenta "thea cup", "Hawaian Punch" and "Black Magic". The did verry well during this Belgian wet, and cooler summer than we use to have. I'm curious how they will re-shoot next spring, i'm overwintering them in a pot with compost in a heated shed. Have a good weekend!..😉 Grtz

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Filip and that’s great info to know. I’ve struggled with ‘Black Magic’ in the past but might give ‘Tea Cup’ a go again one day. Hopefully being in a heated shed will keep them ticking over for you, please let me know how you get on. Thanks and I hope you have a relaxing Sunday too 😃

[@filipmissotten9325]

Hi George, thank you!..😊👌 I will keep you up to date on the re-occurence (hopefully) of these specimens next spring. Best regards.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@filipmissotten9325 Thanks, all the best!

[@loicville6446]

Hi guys, I'm gardener in brussels and I use a lot of Colocassia bulbs who come from indian super market. That grow well during the summer, and die during winter except bulbs who are in the greenhouse whithout rain Mes salutations, amis jardiniers!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@loicville6446 That’s great to know thanks and matches up with my experiences for esculenta. Good luck with your winter gardening and plans for next year 😃

[@ThePodiceps]

Nice vid George. Did you try fontanesii?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you! I haven’t yet but I’d like to one day 😃

[@MiscellaneousMichelle]

💚

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you for watching Michelle!

[@craigwagstaff4625]

Hi George great vid again and l'm diggin the music man😂my esculenta bulbs are huge all 2 of em 🤣 but lve left about 6 inches of growth on top is that still ok?My thinkin was as it drys up it would be probably be time to plant it up again before it hit the bulb top,what dya think dude🤔

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Craig, thanks and nice one. That should be fine, you might find the bulb starts to sprout from a different place but go for it. I just dry to remove anything that might go mushy and spread rot back to the bulb but as long as they’re kept somewhere dry they should be fine.

[@craigwagstaff4625]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden that was my thinkin George l don't want the mush anywhere near the growing point but l quite liked the one which only threw leaves up from the top which were enormous,ok cheers mate l'll be happy if they just make it through the winter 😉thanks for the info👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@craigwagstaff4625 Nice one and good luck with them. Hopefully we get a warmer summer next year and they’ll all be growing big leaves!

[@rmac8737]

Hahaha sombre music my a#se hahaha. Bet you're glad you got everything out before this storm hit. Up here in the Highlands its crazy!!!!!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

😂 Mixing it up a bit! Yes, for definite. I’ve still got a lot of borderline plants out but they’ll have to manage until tomorrow. I hope everything is OK your end, that weather must be savage!

[@rmac8737]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden aw we've had trees down, floods snow and the wind is crazy. Supposed to be visiting family in Glasgow this weekend but had to cancell as the bridges were closed. Hoping to try get down tomorrow since the weather forecast is a bit better. I've had roof tiles land in my garden that aren't mine...and next door has a fast food trailer that was blown on its side. So its caused a lot of damage . Stay safe dude....

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@rmac8737 Oh wow, sorry to hear you’ve had it so bad, we’ve had nothing like that. I hope you’re OK and at least the worst is past us now.

[@missdimples1982]

Hahaha I really did expect some sad and sombre music 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, got to mix things up a bit 😂

[@stanleygladstone1210]

Hi George, as the esculenta you leave in the ground dies back, do yours go mushy and slimy. Mine did last year but still came back this year all be it rather late as it was a cold start to the year. I wasn't sure if I should put sulpher powder on them or just leave them to fend for themselves. They did come back but it didn't look rite as they died back and I don't know if I was just lucky or if it's normal. Another great vid thanks. Your enthusiasm spurs me on. Do you ever have open garden days.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Stanley, I’ve never tried leaving Esculenta in the ground here, I don’t think we’d get away with it. The top growth will die away with the frosts and the hope is that the bulb would stay firm and not go mushy if you live somewhere more favourable. It could be that your main bulb died off but some of the offsets took over. Personally I dig them up but if you’re planning to leave them in I don’t know if adding sulphur powder would help. Thanks! I might do in the future but I’m a long way away from currently 😂

[@kevincahalan9994]

Hi George, great video. Dug up my colocasia esculentas today and they have multiples of 5 6 and seven, first year growing so should I separate now or in spring and should they be singles or maybe doubles Thanks Kevin

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Kevin and thank you, personally I like to keep things together until spring these days, it makes life easier in terms of storage and it’s also better to be starting small plants off with more heat and light available. Honestly, it depends on how much space you’ve got, dividing less might mean bigger leaves for next year but more plants might improve the overall effect if you’ve got the space available 😃

[@kevincahalan9994]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Cheers George, Many thanks

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@kevincahalan9994 No worries!

[@davidbanner9001]

I'm watching this video for the second time as I need to think about overwintering. The one thing that has surprised me about growing eddoe/taro from the local Asian supermarket, is that they have done fair better in partial shaded compared to my pink china in full sun. Maybe the position of the pink china wasn't the best and simply to dry?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I hope it’s helped you. Pink China can take a while to settle in but once they get going are vigorous. I think this has been a rare summer where heat has been pretty consistent but moisture hasn’t, Colocasia love heat and water so maybe the more shaded plant enjoyed damper soil, I’d agree.

[@iriviking774]

hey george, I've had my pink china's for more than 3 seasons now. i initially got it as a recommended plant to start with from you a while back, in one of your videos comments. you told me its a plant you can keep outside for most of the time!(with the proper protection) i've found with a bit of straw covering them they survive even temperatures of minus 14. :o they devided a lot and now i have tos of little babies! now my question for you is: do you have any experienced with keeping colocasia blue hawaii? and if so, is it also possible to keep it in the ground over winter? or shall i dig it up and keep it as a houseplant over winter?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and nice one on the ‘Pink China’ success, that’s a really cold temperature for them to endure and it certainly shows how tough they are with a mulch. I’m pleased they’re growing well for you! As for ‘Blue Hawaii’, it’s not one I’ve had personal experience of unfortunately but my gut feeling is that it’s likely one that needs to be kept as a houseplant over winter. If I hear any different I’ll come back to this comment and let you know.

[@tedscott1478]

Is this advice the same as for Alocasias ?

[@adriangolder-hayes4955]

Hi George, just found your video's. I have a colocasia 'Jack's Giant' - I believe this is a type of esculenta? So I should follow your advice as such..

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Adrian and thanks for watching and getting in touch! Jack's Giant is a form of esculenta I'm reasonably sure. If I just had one and had the space I'd try keeping it as an indoor houseplant, if I had multiple plants then I'd certainly try dry storing, yes.

[@adriangolder-hayes4955]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks. It's small at the moment so I'll keep it as a houseplant this winter and put it in a bigger pot outdoors next summer. Thanks!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@adriangolder-hayes4955 I’d do the same Adrian 👍😊

[@brianfernandez3932]

Hi , I'm creating a tropical garden but find it hard or expensive in my area, so is there any online nurseries who sell young plants that I could bring on over the winter that you can recommend. Many thanks

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Brian, where do you live?

[@user-df6xj2vk1w]

Hallo! at what temperature do you store the corn?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I personally keep them in a cool room, I guess if they're too warm they'll shrivel up quickly, too cold and they might potentially rot. Sorry that's not scientific!