Uhhhh.....did you notice if the bulbs were distinct from each other? I'm sure you didn't just chop the bulb in half, did you? EE's are bulbs. One bulb could have produced the 3 stalks you mention. If so, you probably murdered your plant! LOL. Sheri, I know you from the Butterfly Forum!

The "small new sprouts" you mention - did they look like tiny bulblets? or just roots? They are hardy to zone 7.

Susan

I'm new! What do I know? I pulled it out of the pot, washed away as much dirt as I could from the HUGE tangle of roots and hacked away. One plant looks really sad. The other one has perked right up. I guess we'll see. These were actually like little new plants that broke off. One of them looked like it had something on the end. Oh well, I can spare the space in my kitchen window until they either rot or root.

Yes, you did respond to a milkweed question too. I tried to e-mail you. I have some curassavica seeds that I have gotten from this year's first pods if you would like to give them a try. They are the Silky Gold variety and have gone nuts in my garden.

Sheri - I just responded to your e-mail. I'm such a bad girl. I don't often check it. You're sooner to get my attention at my work e-mail:sljohnston@phillipsmcfall.com. It should be a distinct bulb. Like elephant ears. Mmmm. I don't really know what to suggest. Let's just cross our fingers and wait. They can eventually get pretty tall and big, though. If it takes, it is hardy in the ground where you live. They like a lot of moisture (in Oklahoma anyway). And a lot of fertilizer. What did you plant it in? Regular potting soil?

Yes, I would love some of the seeds of the milkweed to try. Even though it's getting late in the season, I could save some for next year to plant out also. I sent you my address in the private e-mail.

Susan

is the black elephant ear a perrineal and can it stay in the ground in the winter?

No, at least not in northern zones.