My parents ripped these wayward Elephant Ears out of their garden. If I cut the bottom part off where there are roots and pot them up will they sprout back?

  • Falafels@aussie.zoneOP
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    1 year ago

    I’m not sure if they are the native ones but based on those descriptions it does seem like it. They were already there when my parents moved in. The flower has a very strong, pleasant smell and matches the description. They’ve also never really been looked after specifically and have survived all the various weather conditions Australia throws at them, so maybe that is another hint that they are native.

    I will plant some of the smaller ones as is and try cutting the more cumbersome sized ones for potting and see what happens. Thanks for your help!

    • Treevan 🇦🇺@aussie.zone
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      1 year ago

      Just make sure there is a growing point on the bit you plant. They don’t seem to be propagated like other Elephant Ear’s which will grow from biscuits of the main stem.

      If you had the space and the right spot, you could plant them in a shallow trench as is.

      I propagated a heap from seed and had to walk deep into the bush to find a moist gully to plant them. Too dry where we are.

      • Falafels@aussie.zoneOP
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        1 year ago

        Finding the right spot is the big problem at the moment. I have them in a sheltered position in pots but not sure where I can put them permanently right now. I just really wanted to save what I could because they remind me of my childhood.

        I have a little baby one I managed to grow from a seed at the end of last summer as well, it only has four leaves at the moment so it can chill indoors happily for a while yet haha.

        The ones my parents have at times look pretty ratty but they always come back strong when we have wet weather so they seem pretty hardy. Fingers crossed!