Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Arisaema for beginners, 1 by Slipperman

Slipperman wrote:
Try A. Triphyllum, A. ringens, A. Taiwanense and even A. Sikokianum can be easily grown. The key is to create a space where they have excellent drainage. I would suggest a raised bed with lots of pumice, perlite, coarse river sand and quarter-ten crushed, sifted and washed gravel. It is important to use quarter-ten gravel because quarter minus gravel has not been washed and sifted as thoroughly as quarter-ten. The end result being; the rock flower gums everything up, harms root cilia and inhibits drainage. The course river sand is important also, it serves as a bridge between the larger particles and the root hairs, without gumming up the soil mix the rest of the mix can be potting soil, amended with some mushroom mulch, worm castings etc. and I always add a tough of the following for secondary and tertiary nutrients sources; dolomite lime (often used to sweeten or raise pH, also a great source of Calcium and Magnesium cations) Jersey green sand which should be used sparingly as it is mined from ancient seabeds on the east coast ( a great, slow release source of potash) and I like to moisten the soil with very dilute solution containing a bloom fertilizer (seabird guano), some sort of Norwegian Sea Kelp product and finally Liquid Karma or a similar product which contains micro-organismal aids, bio-nutrient catalysts such as Humic and Fulvic acids and a great full spectrum of often omitted nutrients. Obviously such a complex list of amendments is not essential for success. I really love Liquid Karma, especially for newly transplanted specimens and plants that are in any kind of distress. This product is sold in many hydroponic horticultural supply depots. Really the most important matter with the Arisaemas is a balance between proper drainage and a sufficient, wide spectrum nutrition. there are many good resources on the web. Best of luck, happy growing.
Slipperman
P.S. Here is a pic of one of my favorite Arisaemas, Arisaema Tortuosum, enjoy.