I'm in zone 7 and I started them last year at the end of March. I planted them outside in early May and they still didn't bloom until August. I wish I could do something to have them bloom all summer. I just don't have enough room to start them all inside.

I just started my first ones now, but usually I just put the bulbs by a window around mid march and keep them moist so they start to sprout but early april and plant them outside. I got my first blooms by the fourth of july last year and that was after a very cool and cloudy june.
My elephant ears are only semi-dormant for the winter and has a leaf unfurling. They got no water all winter and will be outside in april with the cannas.

Good luck!

Now, that's interesting. I didn't know you could just put the bulbs out.

So... you sit a bare bulb in a window, mist it and it sprouts? Then you just put it outside? That's a good idea. I wouldn't mind trying it. I have quite a few and am not looking forward to fifty pots taking over my newly painted and decorated sunroom.

It has a little soil left from when I dig it up, but usually just a little moisture and sun gets them started. If you let them grow too much they may wilt or die, but if you get them to just start to sprout a little, they will be ready for planting and you wont have to wait for them to sprout in pots outdoors because they will already have some leaves coming up. They are also usually in zip lock bags which probably helps keep the moisture in too. Just watch out for mold.

Good luck!