Re: Dracunculus growing on clay Z5

**S* M* <samarak@gizmoworks.com>**

From my experience (zone 6, NW Arkansas, USA) and that of people to whom 
I've given Dracunculus in colder places, I'd say it's worth trying, but I 
would try some offsets for a few years first and not risk all of your 
plants. It seems to depend on the particular strain you have, as well as 
your climate.

Dracunculus vulgaris has been grown here for a long time, at least 100 
years now, and I got my plants locally, so they are long-term survivors in 
this climate. I gave some to a guy in Denver (definitely zone 5) 5+ years 
ago. They did well, and he liked them so much he ordered some more from a 
commercial source. All of those died, but the ones I gave him are still 
going strong. I was in Denver a few weeks ago and saw them and they looked 
great, with big seed heads. He believes they are hardier than those in 
commerce.

Steve

(Mine have big seed heads too, just beginning to ripen, so if anyone wants 
seed let me know and I'll collect some.)

On Mon, 3 Aug 2009, Stanley kaufman wrote:

> It has been growing here in NE Ohio USA for years in one garden I know 
> of,  and mutiplying and producing viable seed.  I can't vouch for the 
> soil but my place here is primarly clay.

> Stan K.
> --- On Sat, 8/1/09, J. Agoston <agoston.janos123@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> From: J. Agoston <agoston.janos123@gmail.com>
> Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 3:18 AM
> 
> Dear All,
> 
> After growing Darcunculus for several years in big containers I would 
> like to know if they would survive outside. My soil is clay with sodium 
> more than necessary. I would like to know who have success growing it 
> outside in Zone 5. I would try to plant them out, but I don't want to 
> loose them becouse they have nice reddish color not blackish. They were 
> wild collected in Turkey, but the seller don't know where.

-- Steve Marak
-- samarak@gizmoworks.com