Re: [SG] Re Arisaema Problems

Hello Wayne,
        Could I inquire as to what time of the year you planted these out in the
garden? Both these are hardy in your area.... but. Arisaema are frost
sensitive. Any possibility they came from a green house where they were
awakened early and pushed for size? If so, and you planted them out to cool
and wet soil with low nighttime temps, they may have gone into shock. Did
the tubers rot, or just above ground foliage die back? Arisaema can sulk
for a year or more.
        Both of these species break dormancy early and I normally would not
recommend them for northern zones. If it warms up a bit they stick their
noses up and get hit next time the temps drop to frost levels. Last two
years have been hell on these species in my garden. Even boxes and leaves
could not keep the A. sik. form getting hit both years. A. ringens came on
through and bloomed with the covers.
        There are species that break dormancy later in the season and are much
easier to keep in the garden. Some will not emerge until late June here in
my garden.
        Anything sound reasonable to you?
        Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com

----------
> From: Wayne Martin <MYG1728@AOL.COM>
> Subject: [SG] Re Arisaema Problems
> Date: Monday, January 18, 1999 5:34 PM
>

> > Arisaema
> >and your not having much luck with them.
>
> We have only tried two varieties of Arisaema to date in our gardens,
> planting three of each variety, Arisaem ringens and sikokianum. All
> plants were ordered mail order and arrived in very good condition,
> looking strong and healthy. We planted them right away. They were planted
> in an area in light shade, in a high organic soil approximately 18 inches
> deep over a heavy clay base. We planted them in with some low growing
> epimediums in a bed along a walk where we could watch them. Soil was kept
> moderately moist at all times thru an irrigation system which was
> controlled by the moisture level of the soil.
>
> This was our first experience with this plant so we really did not know
> what to look for. They all just turned brown and died, some almost
> immediately. We had tried three Arisaems ringens the year before with the
> same results but thought at the time the location could have been the
> problem as they were more exposed.
> Any help or advice would be appreciated as we would like to be able to
> grow these. Thanks for the interst.
>
> w martin
> myg1728@aol.com
> Zone 5, Southwestern Lower Michigan
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index