Hardy aroids

[Bonaventure W Magrys]

Hi Jim and all,

This May I planted a flavum outside which promptly did its usual 2 month
thing, came up and bloomed, set seed, and went dormant. I used to keep it
on a 3 month in pot followed by 4 month in refridgeration cycle. If not
kept dormant long enough it (flavums, other Arisaemas, and particularily
taiwanense) tubers for me will rot or just languish and fade away when
planted out. This particular flavum last went dormant in May of 2002 and
was cleaned off when dry and stuck in the refridgerator that same month.
Periodically checked for signs of growth in the fall of last year, I became
tired of dragging indoors all the orchids and tender perennials and started
to ignore it. Finally planted it out in May of 2003 - and no problem.

Bonaventure Magrys
Cliffwood Beach, NJ
USA
lows 8F

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Date:    Wed, 24 Sep 2003 08:50:31 -0500
From:    James Waddick <jwaddick at KC.RR.COM>
Subject: Hardy aroids

Dear all;
I have been meaning to drop a couple a notes here.

Typhonum giganteum
After a record drought in July and nearly the same in August,
Typhonium giganteum did not appear until around the 5th of Septmeber.
Amazing that this aroid can wait SO long to produce leaves then
return to 9 or 10 months of dormancy so quickly. Of course the
foliage is small this year probably due to water stress.

Biarum tenuifolium
Having tried this with partial success a few time. last fall
I got a couple bulbs and planted them on a high and dry rock wall
ledge. Foliage lasted through the winter. I just noticed they are up
again with more foliage over a wider area and the first ever bloom is
being produced, but not yet open. I knew from previous efforts that
they should be hardy, but just needed the added 'abuse' of drought to
make them really happy. MAy have to try otheras in a similar site.

Arisaema-
In general the drought resulted in early dormancy for most
species  here and little seed set. There's always next year. Foliage
also seemed smaller and growth was less vigorous.

Anyone else having similar experience or alternate from the
wet east coast?

Jim W.

--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph.    816-746-1949
E-fax  419-781-8594

Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +