Sources - A. sikokianum & A. thunbergii ssp urashima - GRS

[George R Stilwell, Jr.]

John,

I'll have to ask you a question before I can help with sources.  You
asked for:

A. sikokianum
A. urashima

The latter is not a valid species. Is it A. thunbergii ssp. urashima that
you're after?

What sizes are you looking for. The easiest to get in mass quantities is
seed.  Both of these germinate readily and can be forced to bloom in two
years with artificial cold treatment and lights.

Corms are another item. They usually run in the $10 - 12 or more range
and are not often available in mass quantities. All sources offer a few
to a dozen with no problem but generally without discount for quantity.

You should look world wide for many sources are not in the US but export
with no hassle.

For example: Algy's Herbs distributes for Matt Sleigh (UK) in the US. If
you're in Europe, the prices will be different. Matt Sleigh, B&T World
Seeds, Whitnell House, Whitnell, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 1JE, UK
Algy's Herbs, 1105 Old Lascassas, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

They list:

A. sikokianum                                       A. thunbergii ssp.
urashima
1
bulb ..............$31.50
5 bulbs ...........$143.50
10 bulbs ...........  280.00                        10 bulbs
............253.75
100 bulbs .......... 2660.00

They usually offer seed by the gram, but I don't have that price list.

Personally I find their prices not competitive but they do offer
quantities.

Paul Christian PO Box 468, Wrexham, LL13 9XR, UK offers the following:

A. sikokianum                                       A. thunbergii ssp.
urashima
L15.00 per bulb                                         L11.50 per
bulb

Tony Avent, Plant Delights Nursery, 9241 Sauls Road, Raleigh, NC 27603,
USA only offers A. thunbergii ssp. thunbergii but:

A. sikokianum
$25.00 per bulb

The classic source for Arisaema is Jacques Amand, The Nurseries, Clamp
Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 3JS, UK. They sometimes get the species
mixed up. He also has a distributer in both the US and Canada to save on
Phyto  and shipping costs. Elaine Wiggers, Jacques Amand, PO Box 59001,
Potoma, MD 20459.
US prices are:
A. sikokianum                                       A. thunbergii ssp.
urashima
$29.30 per bulb                                         $16.70 per
bulb

Park Seed Co., Cokesbury Road, Greenwood, SC 29647-0001, USA

A. sikokianum
10 seed for $12.40 (not exactly wholesale, but they may offer
wholesale lots) I've had good results with their seed except once. That
time they replaced the whole order with no questions).

J. L. Hudson, Seedsman, P.O. Box 1058, Redwood City, CA 94064, US has
been a supplier for years but he lost his Himalayan source. Perhaps he
may have another source by now.

Incidentally, if you get the urge for A. candidissimum, one of the best
and most beautiful, order from Ellen Hornig, Seneca Hill Perennials, RR
4, Box 99, Oswego, NY 13126, US. She has the best I've found and at the
bargain price of $12.00 for blooming size corms. They're available at $28
most places.

As you can see, there are many sources. Arisaema has become a mainstream
plant in the last couple of years. The Arisaema Enthusiasts Group went
from 5 members to 60 members in the last 3 years. Like all fads, this too
will pass.

Ray
GRSJr at Juno.com