STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

This area typically has a LOT of rainfall and this year the rain has been even greater than normal. I did not think I would ever again have to water my plants - I was just hoping they would stop drowning. So, one day a couple of weeks ago, when I went outside to refill the bird feeders, I was very surprised to find my elephant ears lying flat on the ground, begging for water. I grabbed the hose and went to revive them. I was then even more greatly surprised to find that in their prostration they were revealing their flowers. There were only about three then - more than 20 now.

From the time you can first see the spathe growing it is a few days before the spathe opens and reveals the spadix. Then, the spathe and spadix die after only one more day. Is this normal? Research has told me that the pod beneath the spathe will open when the seeds have ripened and turned bright red. But, I can not find any information on how long that should take. Do you know?

I hope to harvest these seeds and plant them. I appreciate any advise any of the Hog's gardeners can give me. Even with all the rain we get, I have to supplement what nature gives me with what the utility board sells me. If I am successful in this endeavor, it may break the bank.

developing spathe

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this is how it looks a day or two after the spathe opens - sad, huh?

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a group of seed pods

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Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

I didn't even know they bloomed, Sherry! I learned something from your wonderful post!! This might answer your questions about the seeds, and now I'm going to be poking through mine to see if I can spot a bloom.
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/alocasia-plant/elephant-ear-seed-pods.htm

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Thanks, Donna. This site says "it takes months" for the seeds to form - do you suppose we have enough time left? I had found other sites that said the plants flowered in the spring so this seems to be off schedule. I had no idea they bloomed, either. After discovering them, I did a lot of googling to see how I should care for these plants. Then I said to myself, "Idiot, they seem to be thriving with basic neglect. Keep doing that!" I planted 6 corms three (maybe four) years ago. The plants are over 6' tall; the spathes are about 14-16" long. Next spring I must dig up the corms and separate them; they have all pushed out of the ground and there are at least 30 separate ones now. I guess they really liked this year's excess rain.

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

LOL I'm not sure if we have enough time left, Sherry, but planting the seeds would be an interesting experiment for sure. I'd say go for it and see what happens. Heaven knows they would get enough rain. About their care, you are indeed doing something right, and I can vouch for the fact that they thrive on tons of water. I had some years ago that were taking over a bed, and every time I dug one up, several more came up in its place. Then I got the bright idea to dig them up and plant them on a dry slope. Well that did it. Within a couple of years they were no more...so I went to the botanical garden sale and bought more to plant in the original bed. Go figure.

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

All these words are double Dutch to me, Sherry, but I like your pictures--great shots.

angela k Loc: Long Island

I was all ears reading this, Sherry, very interesting!!! My elephant ears bloomed last year and I got two of those flowers.... this year, nothing. I need to read up on this....
Thanks!

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Thanks for looking and your kind comment, Earl.

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Thanks for looking, Angela. Hopefully, we will have seeds to plant. There is supposed to be a low rate of success, but if every seed pod matures even a low percentage of success would start a few new plants - and they're FREE!

angela k Loc: Long Island

Sherry, I didn't think they grew from seeds... I bought mine as giant bulbs! Good luck with yours, keep us posted if any of the seeds sprout!!

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Excellent set Sherry. Well done. Quite a few of mine have flowered this year.
-Doc

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Thanks for looking and for your kind comment, Doc. I'm going to try growing some new plants from the seeds - assuming the pods mature. If they prefer the throw'em on the ground and forget about'em method then they'll have a chance! Well, maybe I'll give it a little more effort. But ignoring the parent plant seems to be working.