email

[Petra Schmidt]

Hi Gerry,
Please contact me directly (petra at plantdelights.com) - I tried responding to
your email to PDN earlier but your system would not accept a message from
the PDN address and since you are not listed in our customer base, I could
not reach you via snail mail.  Let's try again...thanks...Petra


----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerard Olma" <OLMZZZ at AOL.COM>
To: <ARISAEMA-L at NIC.SURFNET.NL>
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2003 12:17 PM
Subject: Seed for seedex 2004 & sources of seed starting material


> Hello fellow AEGers -
> I have been busy researching the archives and I have learned alot re. seed
starting, cultural info and other useful info. that has led me to uderstand
where I went wrong before. I have been fascinated with A. triphyllum since I
was a little kid.
> I have been gardening for about 30 years, so seed starting is not new to
me as is gardening in general.
> When I first seen A. speciosum, A. tortuosum, A. candidissimum in the 1997
or '98 Wayside catalog, I had to have them and I bought 1 of each. I have
learned much more so I now realize they are different than A. triphyllum. I
had them in an area that I did not realize had winter wetness(sitting
water). I have since  built that area up plus my back yard has a nice gentle
slope that allows for good drainage. My "yarden" has a southwest exposure.It
may "pour" in the morning but I can cut the grass in the afternoon. I may
have the right yard for the species that can tolerate zone6 and lower. I
plan to experiment and share my findings w/ the group.
> I recently bought Guy's book - great book! and also was able to obtain a
copy of Pradhan's book. I have read Tony Avent's and Marge Talt's on line
articles on arisaema. I found Jim McClement's and Ellen Hornig' seed
starting info. extremely helpful.I have browsed IAS and realized that I may
be able to grow my Amorphophallus kojac outside ( zone 6b - exactly 1.5 mile
from Lake Erie)
> I have purchased 5 inch clay pots that they use for orchids that have
drainage slits on the side. I figure it will help with seed
starting/growing.
> I am going to use Oil Dri that is similar to surface - it may be the same
thing as the bag (bought at Walmart aka the big "W") says it may be used for
gardening. I found Hoffman's Bonzai soil mixture allows for good drainage -
it has turface as an ingredient.
> Martha Stewart has a good professional potting mix at Kmart - no
fertilizer mixed in it. I have other items so I am ready for seedex 2004
>  I found that rubbermaid makes sandwich take alongs that are stackable and
clear plastic - might be good for the Deno method - good price & you get 5
for 2 bucks plus they hold more than petri dishes - Walmart.
> I have sent in Arisaema triphyllum seeds for seedex 2004, (Eric have you
received them yet?) They grow large and have both green & purple spathes.
> Adios & Happy Holidays
> Gerry Olma
> Hamburg, NY - Zone 6b