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How to wake up your Bulbs | Elephant Ear Plants

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This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

The name Elephant Ear encompasses so many different plants. All however have the unmistakable large foliage that gives it the name “Elephant Ear”. In this post we are going to be waking up a Colocasia or Taro bulbs indoors with the intention of planting it in the garden in summer. Once you start growing Elephant Ear plants you will always grow Elephant ear plants. They are gorgeous tropical plants and instantly make your garden feel like a home away from home.

How do you wake up Elephant Ear Bulbs?

In order to wake up your elephant ear bulbs you will need a combination of moisture, warmth and light.

elephant ear plant
Elephant Ear Plant

Pot

When starting your Elephant Ear bulbs indoors you will want to give them a pot with a drainage hole and at least 2 inches of space around the bulb. This will vary depending on the size of your bulb but be aware that this plant grows very quickly. I prefer to start my bulbs in plastic pots but any pot with a drainage hole will do.

Soil

Elephant ear plants are not too picky when it comes to potting soils. I always use a basic potting mix then add in vermiculite for extra drainage. Elephant ear bulbs do not like to be kept in soggy soil and will rot.

Water

Water your bulb fully at planting then sparingly until you see growth above the soil. A bulb with no foliage is not photosynthesizing and will not be able to utilize the extra moisture in the soil. Aim for moist and not wet soil.

If the top of the soil is dry feel free to stick your finger down into the soil to test for moisture. If your finger comes out with moisture or moist soil on it then wait a little longer to water. If your finger comes out dry then it’s time for a drink.

PRO TIP: If your still unsure of when to water pull back some of the soil to see if the soil is moist or dry. If it’s dry give it a bit of water.

https://www.elephantearsplants.com/?ref=

Warmth

The Elephant Ear plant is a tropical plant so it’s no surprise that the bulbs will need warmth to wake from their winter slumber. Keep them in a warm room or on a heat mat. You will want the soil to be around 65 degrees.

Light

While growing indoors place them in a space with bright light. The light helps the new foliage make its way to the soil surface.

Time to Plant

To plant fill the pot halfway with soil and nestle your bulb with the bottom facing down and the top facing up. Cover the bulb completely with soil making sure there is at minimum 2 inches of soil on top of the bulb depending on the size of bulb and pot you are using.

Elephant ear bulbs

If your unsure of which side of the bulb is the top? Check out this post.

Give your Elephant Ear bulb a full watering to moisten the soil. When you see water coming out of the drainage hole it is time to stop. Elephant Ear Bulbs are very susceptible to rot from overwatering. To maintain a healthy balance you will want to the the soil to dry down about half way before watering again. Then when you water your goal isn’t for full saturation, it’s just to moisten the soil that has dried so be conservative with watering.

Once you see growth above the soil line then you can begin doing full waterings. By full I mean watering until water comes out of the bottom of the pot.

How to Start and Grow Zinnia Seeds Indoors

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Zinnias are one of the most beautiful flowering, annual plants. They are no-fuss, high flower producing plants that anyone can grow. They come in varying heights, bloom colors, and bloom types, which means there’s a Zinnia for every size garden and gardener. Zinnias are drought tolerant and love full sun, but will still produce blooms in part sun/shade. Zinnias can be started from seed 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. If you are unsure of your last frost date, you can find it on this site.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Park Seed. Thank you to Park Seed for supplying the Zinnia Seeds for this post.

a full bloom pink flower in close up photography. Zinnia flower
Zinnia Flower

To grow Zinnias from seed, you will need proper light, water, soil, and air flow.

Tools:

Seed starting pots

Seed starting soil

Seeds

Grow light or Window light

Before starting your Zinnia seeds, you will want to have “seed starting pots,” which can look like many things. I am using seed starting trays from Amazon, and they’re perfect for starting seed, plus you can reuse them year after year. If you plan to reuse pot, be sure to sterilize them prior to use. Seedlings are prone to damping off, so using sterile pots can aid in keeping them healthy and happy.

Seed Starting Set up for zinnias Park seed

Fill your seed starting pots/trays with seed starting mix. This type of mix is important for healthy, happy seedlings. Seed starting soil is actually soilless, fluffy and perfect for seedlings to root and get established.

Seed starting soil Zinnias
Seed Starting Soil is light and fluffy

PRO TIP: You can pre moisten your soil prior to filling your trays.

It’s time to plant your seeds. Take two Zinnia seeds and plant them 1/4th of an inch into the soil of each cell then cover. Planting two seeds is a great idea just in case one doesn’t germinate. If both seeds germinate, you can divide them when they have their first set of “true leaves” or you can snip the weaker seedling down to soil level.

Park seed Zinnia seed

FUN FACT: Zinnias were the first flowers to bloom in space! Check out this article to read more!

Bottom watering is best when your seeds have not sprouted or are very young. Watering overhead can displace seeds and break new seedlings.

Keep your seedlings in a warm room that stays consistently 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher temps with a grow light above your seed trays or in a bright sunny window.

close up shot of zinnia flowers in bloom
Photo by Pew Nguyen on Pexels.com

Pro Tip: If you are using sunlight to grow your seedlings, make sure to rotate the seed trays to help with leaning and leggy seedlings.

As your seedlings grow, you can begin incorporating a diluted amount of fertilizer weekly. Once you’ve reached your frost-free date, it’s time to wean your seedlings for outdoor life.

When your frost free date has passed pick a sunny spot in the garden and plant your Zinnia seedlings. Keep them well watered and they will reward you with beautiful cut and come again blooms all season long.

Queen Red lime Zinnia park seed
Queen Red Lime Zinnia from Park Seed

Zinnias are one of the easiest plants to start from seed. The seeds readily sprout and eagerly grow into plants that bloom all summer long, providing gorgeous blooms for you to enjoy in the garden or in bouquets indoors.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

Don’t Plant Your Elephant Ear Bulbs Until You Read This!

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Which side of the Elephant Ear bulb is the top? This is a common question among first time Elephant Ear growers. Once you gain experience growing bulbs, you will be able to spot the top right away. Since the foliage and root growth comes from the bulb, you will want to make sure to keep it watered and fertilized properly, make sure you keep the bulb watered during the growing season.

Planting Elephant Ear bulbs in the right direction will help it sprout in the right direction and you will see growth faster than if the bulb has to take time to search for the surface of the soil.

https://www.elephantearsplants.com/?ref=

Whether you’re starting your bulbs indoors or out, you need to know your growing zone so check out this link to find out when to plant your bulbs outdoors

On the top of the bulb, you will see rings. Each ring is a growth ring, so each circle is where foliage has grown. You can compare it to an onion or garlic as far as growth. This is the side you want to face up in the soil because when it starts growing, the foliage will head to the light.

The top of an elephant ear bulb
Top of an Elephant Ear Bulb

The bottom of Elephant Ear bulbs look much different in most cases. It’s more gnarly and can have some hairs. This is the side you will want to plant down into the soil towards the bottom of the pot.

Pro Tip: If you still are unable to determine the top from the bottom, plant it on its side and let the bulb figure it out.

Bottom of an elephant ear bulb taro
Bottom of an elephant ear bulb Taro

Elephant Ear plants are a joy to have in the garden. I hope you will give them a try because they add such whimsy to the landscape. If you want to see what they look like in full foliage, check out this video below.

How to grow elephant ear plants

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to Grow Begonia Bulbs

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Many people may not realise that Begonias grow from tubers or bulbs as many people call them. Growing Begonia bulbs is relatively easy, you can either plant them outside or grow them indoors. I want to warn you that some types of Begonias grow better outside and don’t make good houseplants. In this post we are growing Begonia bulbs that will be planted in the garden and make great shade garden plants.

plants with white and pink small flowers
Photo by Olya Kobruseva on Pexels.com

Once you’ve got your Begonia bulbs you will want to do an inspection. You will be feeling around for softness. If your bulb is squishy, toss it in the trash. You will also be inspecting for mold and if you find a moldy bulb, you will want to also toss it out. If it’s a small amount of mold you can try to plant it, but know that mold spores don’t go away and your soil will likely get moldy too.

How to plant begonia bulbs

Prepare your soil. If you are growing Begonia bulbs outdoors, you will want to make sure your soil has warmed up enough. 60-65 degrees and higher is best for starting bulbs outside in ground. Add some fertilizer to the bottom of the hole before putting in your bulb, cover, then add water in.

If you are starting bulbs indoors, you will want to use a soil mix that is light and fluffy like a seed starting mix; alternatively, you can use potting soil with added Vermiculite or Perlite to add extra drainage to the soil. Make sure you use a pot that is 1 inch – 2 inches bigger than your bulb. If you are planting multiple bulbs in a pot, you want to make sure they have about an inch of space between the bulb and the sides of the pot.

TIP: You can also start your bulbs in flats. Add soil or damp peat moss to a flat tray. Set your bulbs on top and don’t cover. Once it’s past your frost free date, you can plant your bulbs in the garden or pots.

Which way to plant?

Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to plant begonia bulbs. Begonia bulbs can be quite confusing to determine the top and the bottom. The top of the bulb will have a cavernous space or a dip in the bulb.

Top of the begonia bulb
The top of the Begonia Bulb

The bottom of the bulb will be round and have dried root hairs. You will want to plant the solid round area towards the bottom of the pot or hole you dug. Once you’ve got your bulbs potted, cover with 2 inches of soil then water them in.

bottom of the begonia bulb
Bottom of the Begonia bulb

Water your pots when that first two inches of soil has dried. Bulbs can quickly rot when kept too wet for periods of time. When your bulbs begin pushing growth above the soil, continue with the same watering routine and your plants will thrive.

Keep the potted bulbs in a warm sunny room to help them wake up. They don’t need direct sunlight but bright light is helpful to help wake the bulbs.

a close up shot of tuberous begonia flowers
Photo by Anca on Pexels.com

Begonias are easy-going garden plants that thrive in shade and have gorgeous foliage and blooms. They are a must-have for the garden, and now you can start growing them from bulbs!

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

4 Lemon Scented Herbs you need in your Garden

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photo of lime fruits and thyme
Photo by Nadi Lindsay on Pexels.com

I love the smell of lemon. It smells so fresh and clean and screams spring. Every year I make a point to grow lemon scented herbs in my garden. Mainly for smelling but we also dry and store them for cooking and tea. Here are my favorite herbs to grow for the lemony scent.

Lemon Thyme

Lemon Basil

Lemon Balm

Lemon Grass

All of these lemon scented herbs are easy to grow from seed. Start them 4-6 weeks before your first frost date and you’ll be harvesting them before you know it! Or you can find them in many of the greenhouses and big box stores.

Drying herbs for storage can be a daunting task but it’s so easy and pretty satisfying once they are dry. You can air dry herbs by hanging them in a shady space outdoors or you can hang them indoor in a space that gets good airflow. You can also put them in a dehydrator or your oven to dry.

To store your fresh dried herbs you will want to use an airtight container like a mason jar or any other container with a lid.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

HOW TO GROW NASTURTIUM

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Nasturtiums are so gorgeous! They are a great plant to have in the garden. You can start them indoors four-six weeks before your first frost date. Then plant them outdoors after the threat of frost is gone. You can plant them in the landscape, in pots and hanging baskets. What’s even cooler is they are totally edible! Add the foliage and flowers to your salad for a zing!

Alaska Dwarf Nasturtium

You and easily order seeds online. Once you have a collection of see you can grow from your own stock every year.

Nasturtium

Nasturtiums are beautiful trailing over a raised garden bed or covering up a less than pretty space in the garden. They are often used as a sacrificial or trap plant for aphids and squash bugs. Plant them next to your Brassicas and they’ll help keep pests away. If you haven’t started a vegetable garden yet check out my post on how to get started.

Nasturtium grown from seed trailing over a raised garden bed

Nasturtium’s are not too picky about the type of soil you plant them in so use what you have available. They are forgiving if you forget to water them and they love full sun. They can tolerate part shade but do much better with 6-8 hours of sun.

Nasturtium with edible flowers
Fresh Nasturtium seeds

Be sure to collect and dry seeds for the next growing season! Nasturtiums are heavy seeders and you’ll have plenty to plant or share with friends next year! Nasturtiums grow pretty quickly from seed. Feel free to start them directly in the garden after your first frost date.

Happy Gardening!

Ciearra

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