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Jamestown Woman Grows Massive Leaf

Jamestown resident Ingrid Grunert managed to grow a giant elephant ear plant with a leaf that was estimated to be at least 3 feet long. She received the plant eight years ago from a friend and has been growing it annually ever since. Submitted photo

Jamestown resident Ingrid Grunert has been gardening for 50 years, and a recent plant of hers may literally be her biggest accomplishment.

Estimated to be over 36 inches long, the biggest leaf of an elephant ear plant she has grown seems to dwarf Grunert when she stands behind it. The plant was originally given to her by a friend eight years ago. That friend has since died, but the elephant ears of this plant serve as a reminder of their friendship even as Grunert celebrates her 91st Christmas.

For those wishing to see evidence of the plant growth, they may have to wait another year until Grunert’s elephant ear plant can flourish again. She is keeping the bulb dry, warm and indoors for the winter season and will plant it again in the spring.

“It’s amazing,” said Grunert, who jokingly compared the leaf to a Garden of Eden experience. “I was so surprised. It was fun to watch it.”

She said that even when the wind was blowing, the leaf was able to hold its own despite its sheer size. A fence around her garden prevented deer from making the elephant ear leaf a buffet.

This particular leaf, she said, grew to its full size in approximately three weeks. She’s been gardening most of her life and said she’s still never seen anything quite like it.

While she collects her growing holly for the holiday season, Grunert can’t help but reflect on the biggest surprise in her gardening life that also serves as a comforting reminder of a good friend since passed.

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