Saving Elephant Ear Bulbs?

Question

My brother gave me a bunch of elephant ear bulbs. I finally got a few planted, but I still have 4 or 5 in a box. I’ve noticed that even in my carport, just sitting in a box with no dirt and no water, they’re spouting a bit. Can I still stick these bulbs in my basement this winter and plant them next year? And would there be any problem with putting them in the basement now?

I guess I’m asking if they die or something if they’re not planted each year.

And the ones I planted are in pots. Do I have to dig them up or can I put the whole pot in the basement as well?

Answer 1

I live in southeast Iowa and I dig mine up in the fall and put them in 5 gallon buckets with sawdust and sand over them.

I probably depends on where you live and how bad your winters are.

Answer 2

Stick them in the ground or in a pot, and put them outside to grow.  it's MUCH easier to keep them if you let them do their thing, than to try and force an 18-month long dormancy on them.

Not matter how little they've grown this fall, you can pull them back into the garag/basement for the winter and let them rest.  You can dig them up, or drag the whole pot to the protected area for its winter rest.