How to Grow Plants Along the Mosquito

Cpocasia is a tropical tree that can grow up to 3 meters tall with wide, heart-shaped leaves that look like elephant ears. If you like this beautiful plant, you can plant the tubers along the net in early spring in the soil with the right conditions. Take care of plants properly with regular watering and fertilizing so you can watch them grow lush. When the cold season arrives, dig up the tubers for storage and replant the following spring. If you live in USDA zone 8 or more, you can leave the tuber in the ground so it can regrow the following year.

Table of Contents

Planting trees along the mosquito net

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/0e/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-1.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-1.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/0e/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-1.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-1.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Plant in spring when nighttime temperatures are above 10 degrees Celsius. Wait until the night is frost-free to prevent damage to the plants. This time is usually around April or May. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Daytime temperatures around 21 degrees Celsius are ideal.

Tip: If you want to have your plants early, you can plant the bulbs in an indoor pot a few weeks before spring. When it’s warm enough outside, you can take the plant out in the garden.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/b5/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant- Ear-Plants-Step-2-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b5/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-2- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-2-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Choose a plot of land with indirect sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves. You should plant along the mosquito net in a place with partial shade and maintain moisture in the soil. Generally, this means a place where the sun shines for 3-6 hours a day. ^{[2] X Research Source}

If the plant does not receive enough sunlight, you will see the leaves turn yellow.
The more sunny the location is, the more water you will need to water to keep the soil from drying out.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/af/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant- Ear-Plants-Step-3-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/af/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-3- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-3-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Find a spot where the soil is moist but well-drained. The plant is used to growing in tropical areas with high humidity. You should plant the plant in moist soil, such as the edge of a lake or swamp. Drainage is also an important factor in preventing root rot. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You can create a tropical environment in your garden by keeping the soil moist and never letting it dry out.
Using a raised garden or installing a garden drainage system are measures that can help prevent plants from becoming waterlogged.
Test drainage by digging a hole about 30 cm deep and filling it with water. If it takes more than 4 hours for the water to drain out, it means that the soil there is poorly drained.
Do not overwater when watering plants.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/92/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant- Ear-Plants-Step-4-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/92/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-4- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-4-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Test the soil to make sure it has a pH between 5.5 and 7. A pH of 7 is considered neutral. Mosquitoes prefer organic soil with mild acidity. You can use a pH meter to test your soil at home and determine if it’s suitable. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

To lower the pH, you can add some sulfur, gypsum, or organic compost to the soil.
To increase the pH in the soil, sprinkle some garden lime or limestone into the soil.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/ac/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-2.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/ac/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-2.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Place the tubers along the net in holes at least 1 meter apart. Trees along the mosquito net not only show off their broad leaves, they also grow and spread very quickly. You need to give the plant enough space for it to grow freely.

Choose plants that grow in clusters if you don’t want them to spread. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
If you plant plants along the mosquito net without giving enough space for each plant, they will compete for each other’s sunlight and water. Large trees will cover small trees, because the leaves of small trees will not receive enough light.

Preventing vertical plants from invading the garden

Select varieties of Cpocasia mosquito nets. This plant often grows in clusters in small spaces instead of spreading.

Dig a trench about 15 cm wide as a boundary around the tubers along the net. Prevent plants from spreading by digging a deep trench between the mosquito net and other plants in the garden.

Separate the plants along the net as they grow beyond the plot. Dig up and replant a few plants along the net to spread the plants out. This will help keep the plants from overcrowding.

Plant the tree along the mosquito net into a pot. If there is no other way that you still love the beauty of the mosquito net, plant it in a pot. You can leave the potted plants outdoors or bring them indoors.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/b2/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-3.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b2/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Dig a hole in the soil so that the tuber is about 2.5 – 5 cm below the ground. Trees grow best when planted close to the ground. The general rule is to dig a hole 2 to 4 times the size of the tuber. You can use a spade or a garden shovel to dig up the soil. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

The tubers will rise as they germinate, so leave plenty of room so they don’t stick out of the ground.
Larger bulbs will need a slightly deeper hole.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/8d/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-5.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/8d/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Place the tuber in the hole with the flat side of the tuber facing down. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish which end is the other because it does not have a distinct apex. The top end is the one with concentric circles around it. You will place this end on top and press the tuber firmly into the soil. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

The lower end of the tuber may have some roots left over from the previous season.
If you can’t distinguish the top from the bottom, you can place the tubers horizontally in the hole. The roots will come down and the shoots will grow naturally.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/35/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-6.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/35/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-6.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Fill the tubers with soil along the net and water thoroughly. The layer of soil above the tubers will be about 2.5 – 5 cm thick. Use your hands to compact the soil, making sure that no part of the tuber is exposed to the ground. Water so that the soil around the tubers is soaked with water. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Mangrove plants need a lot of water, especially when newly planted.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/25/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-7.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-7.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/25/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-7.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Mark the spot where you just planted the bulbs. It will take several weeks for the plant to emerge from the ground. You should use a stake, stone or other object to mark it so you don’t forget where you buried the tubers. Remember to mark next to the tuber, not just above the tuber.

This will help if you also have other trees, shrubs, and flowers in your garden. That way, you’ll know which plants grow where so you don’t plant too thickly.

Caring for trees along the mosquito net

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/80/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-8.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-8.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/80/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-8.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Wait for the first shoots to appear in 1-3 weeks. The time it takes for the first bud to emerge from the ground will depend on the temperature in the air and in the soil. Plants may grow more slowly in colder temperatures. ^{[9] X Research Source}

If no buds appear after 3 weeks, carefully dig up the tubers to check for rot. Cut off damaged areas and replant.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/ae/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-10.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-10.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/ae/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-10.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Water the base of the plant in the morning to keep moisture in the soil. Mosquitoes are tropical plants, so they will need a lot of water. Water below the foliage as close to the ground as possible to avoid wetting the leaves. It is best for the plant to dry out at night to prevent disease. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Never let the plant dry out between waterings, as this will stress the plant.
Falling leaves are a sign that the plant needs more watering.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/91/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-9.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-9.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/91/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-9.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Fertilize the plant once a month with a slow-release fertilizer. The nettle plant requires a lot of nutrients and thrives when grown in fertile soil. Slow-release fertilizers will help plants absorb nutrients by releasing them slowly in the soil for even and stable growth. This type of fertilizer also helps you to spend less effort. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Look for a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content. Nitrogen helps plants produce chlorophyll, which gives leaves their vibrant green color.
Add organic compost or manure to the soil to add nutrients to the plants.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/b5/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-14.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-14.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b5/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-14.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-14.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Trim off brown or discolored leaves as needed. This will stimulate the plants to grow new leaves and make your garden more lively. Use garden shears to cut off damaged leaves as close to the tuber as possible, but try to avoid cutting into the tuber.

Wear gloves when cutting leaves if you have sensitive skin. The leaves of the mosquito net have several compounds that can cause itching.
Many yellow or brown leaves on the plant are a sign that the plant is not getting enough sunlight or not having enough water.

Harvest and store plants in the winter

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/5d/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-11.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-11.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5d/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-11.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Cut off the leaves when they stop growing new leaves. The slow growth of new leaves is a sign that it is time to preserve the plant for the winter. To prepare the plant, cut off the leaves just above the bulb. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Yellow leaves also signal that the plant is in hibernation.
You can discard the leaves or use the leaves to wrap the bulbs for storage.
Take care to avoid cutting or damaging the tubers.
The best time to cut leaves is in early autumn or mid-autumn.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/45/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-16.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-16.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/45/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-16.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-16.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Dig up when the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius. The plant will start to struggle and will often hibernate when the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius for longer than a few days or when the first frost arrives. Carefully dig up the tree with a garden shovel. ^{[13] X Research Source}

If you live in a warm tropical climate, you probably don’t need to dig up the tree. You can treat the plant like any other perennial and bury it under mulch at least 8 cm deep.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/75/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-15.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-15.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/75/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-15.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-15.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:308,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:487,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Freeze the tubers for 1-2 days. Drying the tubers will help limit mold and bacteria growth. Store the tubers in a dry place at room temperature, outdoors or indoors. Wait until the tubers are completely dry to the touch. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Store in an area out of reach of children and pets. Leaves left on the tubers can cause poisoning.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/74/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-17.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-17.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/74/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-17.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-17.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Store tubers in a paper bag with holes for ventilation. Never store in an airtight container as it will trap moisture and may rot the tubers. Perforated paper bags allow moisture to escape. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Wrap tubers in mulberry leaves, peat moss or horticultural vermiculite for better preservation.
If you don’t have a paper bag, you can use a mesh bag.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/71/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-18.jpg/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants- Step-18.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/71/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-18.jpg/v4-728px-Grow- Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-18.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Store the tubers in a cool, dry place with a temperature between 7 and 13 degrees Celsius. During the winter months, it’s a good idea to store bags of tubers in a place with little moisture to prevent them from becoming moldy. Basements or garages that don’t get hot are both good places to store tubers. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Occasionally check for tubers along the net. If you see a tuber that is rotten, throw it away immediately to prevent it from spreading to other bulbs.

Warning

The leaves of the mosquito net contain oxalic acid, which can be toxic when eaten raw. If you are poisoned, you need to go to the hospital immediately.
Wear gloves when planting or handling plants along the mosquito net if you have sensitive skin.

Steps

Planting trees along the mosquito net

Caring for trees along the mosquito net

Harvest and store plants in the winter

Warning

Related Posts