Whacking back elephant ears/ginger

[TXHookem]

I have a bed chock full of elephant ears and variegated ginger that is a bit out of control. Is it safe to just whack everything down to the ground and let it grow back?

 

[Mrmyke709]

Yup..but you may want to split up the bulbs and root system if it's too rambunctious.

 

[TXHookem]

I'll take a crack at'em... those buggers are downright aggressive.

 

[Mrmyke709]

The banks of the San Marcos River are infested with elephant ears.
The early settlers thought they would control erosion.
Well, they went crazy and multiplied with abandon.
TSU has gone on a jihad removing them, and the duckweed that chokes the Springs.
Every now and then, big mats of vegetation will float by, and I know that those perky coeds are hard at work.

 

[Not that Bob]

Be careful when "whacking" the elephant ears. The sap, a milky substance, will make you itch like hell if you get it on your skin. I used a "Weed Whacker" to thin a bed of elephant ears years ago. I was wearing only shorts and the "milk" got pretty much all over me. 15 minutes later the itching began. It was one of the most painful experiences of my life.

 

[Mrmyke709]

It's oxalic acid.