Seed for seedx 2004 plus misc. info.

[Gerard Olma]

Hello fellow AEGers -
I have been busy researching both the archives,arisaema-L, my new book by Guy - Fantastic reading and I agree w/ Ray - it is the "bible".
I have been gardening for about 30 years, so gardening is not new to me. I have always been fascinated by weird/unusual plants plus trying things that are different - I have plants that most people find at arboratums, giant sequoia, big leaf magnolia, magnolia tripetela and hypoluca to name a couple.
I have built up low areas in my yard so rain water and melting snow drains quickly. I believe my yard should be conducive to growing Arisaemas. A. triphyllum grows and reproduces well in my yard.
I have learned from my researching what I have done incorrectly in the past so I anticipate success w/ Arisaemas. I plan to experiment with most varieties to find out if my zone 6b yarden meets their growing/cultivation requirements.
I live exactly 1.5 miles from Lake Erie so it places me in zone 6b. My back yard is a gentle continual slope that faces southwest, the front of my house faces northeast.
I have Guy's book,plus a copy of Pradhan's 2nd ed. I have downloaded many articles for my Arisaema file. I found that Tony Avent, Marge Talt, Ellen Hornig and Jim McClements have written good information about cultivation, seed sowing & seedling growing.
I have browsed IAS and realize I may be able to grow Amorphophallus konjac outside - I have nine little tubers ranging from chick pea sized to golf ball sized.
I have purchased 5 inch clay pots for growing orchids - for drainage at home depot.
I also purchased Oil Dri at walmart similar to or actually is turface - the bag says also used in gardens to improve drainage. I also bought at walmart rubbermaid sandwich take along boxes that are clear plastic and stackable for 2 bucks for a pac of 5. Martha Stewart makes a soiless potting mix sold at kmart w/ the ingredients I saw on many mixes on the discussion list.
Hoffman makes a bonzai soil mix that has turface in it -it looks good for raising baby tubers.
I have sent in A. triphyllum seeds to Eric for 2004 seedex - Eric did you get them yet plus my email informing they were on their way - they are clean!
Adios & Happy Holidays,
Gerry Olma
Hamburg, NY - zone 6b