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From: Harry Ronken <hronken at MICROTECH.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: overwintering arisaemas
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Hi AEgers,

May I submit my experiences with Aroid tubers in addition to the
Yinger/Wong response.

When I was growing  NZ  Zantedeschia , or perhaps better known as Calla
lilies, in Tasmania (Zone 10a/10b?) for the cut flower market we stored
tubers for programming (time-spaced plantings) initially in our garage an=d
lost a lot of to rotting.  I  suspected our damp winter temperatures to
be the cause. The chief rotting agent was identified as  Erwinia aroideae.
Then in 1987 I received a summary  by  Dr. B. Tijia  (Dept. of Ornamental
Horticulture, University of Florida) on Zantedeschia  in Pot Plant
Production. Item 2 reads as follows:
When tubers need to be stored, store at 70F (21C). After 4-6 weeks storag=e
they will usually sprout. Tubers can be stored for 20-23 weeks at this
temperature. etc etc.
Storing was done dry and loose, eyes uppermost,  in stackable boxes.
As I had a micropropagation grow-room (Kept at 23C) I tried it. It worked=!
I later attempted this procedure with A. candidisssimum when I  needed to
bring it into micropropagation. It worked. An Arisaema tuber after all lo=oks
much like a Calla lily tuber.
So if you have dug your tubers ( at least A. candi, you will have to
experiment with the others) you can store at 20-23C until ready to re-pot.
Don't be perturbed by early shooting.
When we dug our tubers they would still have yellowing/drying tops. They
would be left on the ground until the tops were completely dried. They wo=uld
then be cleaned of all remnant stem and foliage material, washed off, dri=ed
thoroughly,  and stored as described above.
We used to treat tubers with soft rot by scraping/spooning the soft goo
away and then dipping the so exposed tuber wound into pure dry cement
(powder). The tuber would make a scab and form new skin in about 4 weeks.
I have some fotos of stored Calla and Arisaema, and some cut and cement-
dipped Arisaema tubers. If anyone wants to post these on a web site I wil=l
make them available.
Harry Ronken
hronken at microtech.com.au