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  • Results 1 to 9 of 9

    Thread: Kona Coffee elephant ear, need winter care help

    1. #1
      DBibbins's Avatar
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      Kona Coffee elephant ear, need winter care help

      I bought a Kona Coffee elephant ear in the spring from my local HD and it has done amazing, the color is just gorgeous. It is suppose to be ok in temps down to 10 - 0.
      I'm not sure what to do with it for the winter, the pot is to big to bring in house and no garage to put it in. Is cutting it back and a thick layer of mulch enough, we rarely see in the teens but it does happen. Or should I cover the pot with a mini greenhouse? It also has new plants starting everywhere in pot, will they be strong enough to winter outside for their 1st year or should I dig them out and bring inside.

      Thanks
      Deb
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    2. #2
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      Do you have room to put it under your pond cover? I would dig up some of the pups and re-pot to bring them inside just in case your big plant doesn't make it.
      You could try to let it go doormat. Then take some 6 mil plastic and lay over the top of the pot. Hold it down with bungee strap. This is how I overwinter my lotus pots.

      It is a very nice Taro.
      Last edited by gray cat; 11-19-2016 at 12:53 PM.
      Nancy



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      Thanks Nancy,
      I'm pretty sure I'll dig up some of them for inside just in case. I have left over tarp so I may just tape a piece to the pond cover so I can pull it over the pot, that should keep it toasty for the winter.

      Question... Is there a difference between elephant ear and taro, if so what is it? On the tag it's referred to as Hawaiian Kona coffee elephant ear.
      Happiness is adopting a mutt and my pond is FULL of Happiness....
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    4. #4
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      I am not sure it will winter in the pot if you planted it in the ground and mulched it might make it. It will winter over in 7b planted in the ground. if you dig a hole slip it from its pot and cut it back and them mulch really good it might work. although if it was planted in yard soil it might work better but its too late for that. The reason I say that is because its more dense and will keep the roots warmer. Potting soil is loose and airy. Its still might work though, Yes it is kin too Elephant Ears as they are both from the Colocasia family. good luck gary
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    5. #5
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      Quote Originally Posted by gander View Post
      I am not sure it will winter in the pot if you planted it in the ground and mulched it might make it. It will winter over in 7b planted in the ground. if you dig a hole slip it from its pot and cut it back and them mulch really good it might work. although if it was planted in yard soil it might work better but its too late for that. The reason I say that is because its more dense and will keep the roots warmer. Potting soil is loose and airy. Its still might work though, Yes it is kin too Elephant Ears as they are both from the Colocasia family. good luck gary
      Gary do you think it would over winter in the pot, if the pot is also under her pond cover? I am pretty sure she may be in zone 8.
      Nancy



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      Charlotte is zone 7a.
      If I do decide to bring it in the house do I still cut it back and let it start over.
      I still may just bring in some of the pups and put the large pot under the pond cover, water doesn't get below 50 so I think it should fare well.
      Happiness is adopting a mutt and my pond is FULL of Happiness....
      Deb

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      I have a Kona in the ground , this will be its first winter outside. I'm going to mulch it.

      Last year I left a sago Palm out in a pot . It came back this spring

    8. #8
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      Quote Originally Posted by delbert View Post
      I have a Kona in the ground , this will be its first winter outside. I'm going to mulch it.

      Last year I left a sago Palm out in a pot . It came back this spring
      I wish I did have ground space for it in front of the pond, it gets the best sunlight to keep the leaves that rich dark coffee color. I had it in the ground behind the pond for the first couple months and it didn't get enough sunlight so the leaves stayed green.
      Happiness is adopting a mutt and my pond is FULL of Happiness....
      Deb

      My pond
      https://youtu.be/PR3Q2MInsQg

    9. #9
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      Yes it should winter over under the pond cover.
      "most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song
      still in them."
      I wish I could sing

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