It had just started snowing! At least this year it waited until after Thanksgiving and after the city removed the leaves from the curb. Then I remembered I still had plants outside that can't handle this kind of weather, uh-oh. Remember the elephant ear? It was still sitting out by the front door. It has been raining for days. I was waiting for it to stop so it could drip dry for a day or so before I brought it in. Well, there goes that idea.
What I have read about wintering elephant ears over is that they should be dug up (when the low temperatures hang around 40 degrees) and stored in saw dust or sphagnum moss and placed in a paper bag in a cool dark place until the spring comes around.
I brought it in and put it in a plastic lined cardboard box. Time for unexpected surgery!
I cut off the leaves leaving about 6 inches or so. I think you are supposed to cut them closer, but for a short term quick fix this is what I did.
I wonder if I can leave it in the pot allowing it's dormant period this way rather than removing the bulbs and storing them in a paper bag. I think I will try.
The other plant went into the bath tub temporarily while it drains a bit.
I can never remember what this one is called. My mom reminds me from time to time, but I can never remember. The tag was lost many moons ago, probably one of the many times the cat leaped into the pot knocking plant and soil all over the floor. Between the cat eating the leaves, and knocking it over, this plant has had a hard life. Despite the rough treatment from the feline it flourishes in the summer shade on the porch.
For now it is Winter and time for these plants to rest. I will be back soon with the post about the Thanksgiving cactus I was working on when I discovered the snow and need for unexpected surgery of the elephant ear.
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