winter care in Pacific Northwest

[Laura Killian and Dave Brastow]

Hi Mary and all,
I live just south of Mary, in Tumwater, WA. where the winters are 5 degrees colder and we get 10-20 inches more
rain.  I'm fairly new to growing arisaemas, having gotten my first one only four years ago.  I've been doing some
limited buying (they're pricey little things), and have started five or six species from seeds, gotten from NARGS
lists.  Most of the seedlings are two years old.  I also rescued a couple while on a trip to southern Ohio.  So far,
knock on wood, I haven't lost a single plant.
I grow almost all (not just arisaemas, but all) of my plants in plastic containers (polite for pots).  These I keep
in raised beds filled with pine shavings.  The shavings provide insulation, both from the cold of winter and the heat of
summer.  Having plants in raised beds enhances drainage, something we need to be concerned about here in the Pacific
Northwest.  During the growing season, the soil usually settles in the pots, giving me room to add a layer of fine
compost in the fall.
I put a layer of crushed rock (chicken grit) on most of the seed pots, and used to do the same to the larger plants
as well.  This works well to protect the soil surface from the effects of constant rain.  However, I've found that the
layer of compost works just as well for the established plants, and I don't have to fuss with removing the gravel,
putting on the compost and replacing the gravel each year.  This method has been working for me for 10 years with good
success.  I've lost a few Alliums and the Sternbergias, but I think that was more the fault of the garden soil I got
that used quite a bit of mushroom compost (it compacted, and didn't provide good drainage after a short while).
I know this has all been non-technical, but it works for me.  I'm always open to experimentation, and would welcome
others suggestions.  I hope to have the time in the near future to start collecting some temperature, soil moisture and
other data.  I hope this helps others.

Thanks and good gardening

Dave Brastow
Tumwater, WA  zone 7A (sorta)