Amorphophallus and such plants how are we doing with them?

I must be on my 3rd or 4th plant now, and it looks like a goner. I hear they do not like to be so wet, so under some cover is preferred. Should I move my newest to a pot again and put it on the porch under the eves?

Which species? I just purchased Amorophallus bulbifer for the second time because my first ones rotted in the pot. Tell me where you planted your first three so I don't make the same mistake.
I have lost many arisaemas in pots because I didn't have quite enough drainage and the wet got them. I'd say yes to the porch if you do a pot. The 'voodoo' lilies I have in pots that I stick in the garage generally come back fine.

Karen at Dragon Fly thinks we have problems because the bulbs rot in soggy soil. I am dealing with Dracunculus vulgaris which was looking bad in my driest garden and is now on the front porch on a big pot. It looked sad last night, but good this morning.

Replant high & surround with chicken grit.

I've killed them many times, but I'll try Dracunculus vulgaris again this year because I want to. :-) I'm considering planting them at the top of a hill and covering the whole area.

I know that many people in Seattle are successful with them.

I haven't tried that one yet, but I've been sorely tempted. I wonder if taking a lesson from planting alpines would be of some help here. It's something I am trying with my lilies, mostly to protect them from voles, but also to give them incredible drainage. I'm planting in pure pea gravel, or crushed gravel, allowing the roots to penetrate the gravel into the soil below but be protected from the actual soil itself. I dig the hole, put a couple of inches of gravel at the bottom, insert bulb, then fill around with gravel. I top with a couple of inches of soil and compost. The lilies I planted that way last year look good so far this year. (Plus no vole damage).

Another idea, as Kaye said, is to plant them high and dry, using chicken grit as drainage material. There has to be a way because I know people in Seattle grow them well. That would be one to plant under the eaves of the house if that was possible.

What about a pop bottle cloche as a rain coat?

The only problem with high is that the lose some of the insulating effects of the soil. I'm find that I'm probably colder than zone 8 and I also need that insulating effect . . .

Up close & under the eaves during the winter on the least "exposed" side of the house. Pop bottle cover for dry - but is it capless to allow moisture build-up to escape? If a temporary structure could be made for the winter & covered as katie suggested, I would think that ould be a great way to deal, especially if you have other lovelies that need some extra protection. An insulated Pot Ghetto.

Yes, topless so the vapors escape. Oh, geez, I'm on the wrong thread. I think a pop cloche is too small to do this job. I have made plant protectors out of pieces of polycarbonate. Very, very cheap and they come in 4 x 8 sheets. I use the twinwall, just like in my greenhouse. There is a plastic supply place in Tacoma that sells all kinds, but I'm sure there is a place closer to you, Rob. Cut with a razor knife, use clear packaging tape to put them together. Works like a charm, like a miniature greenhouse.

Paghat's Garden grows Dracunculus vulgaris - I've emailed her and she's responded. I wonder if she would respond about what she does with hers in her garden.

I'm on the wrong thread again. I just posted on the Sinningia thread about A. bulbifer. Sheesh.

I have a Dracunculus vulgaris for about 6 years growing on a south side of a rock wall with good results. It is planted high on a berm and water collects at the base. Last winter I divided it leaving most of the bulbs giving a few away and transplanting the others. Of course it is planted next to the patio and makes itself known on my daughters birthday the beginning of June. (Works well when she has her birthday parties here) ha This was taken last year.

This message was edited May 26, 2010 6:31 PM

Lovely, Linda!!

Okay, I am going to need one of those. I'll just find a place for it. That color is magnificent!

I think Gordon has one. I just heard through the grapevine that he's moving to Minnesota to go into business with Robbi (distantkin). He's taking some plants, but will be giving some away to his friends . . .

I have a baby, Pix. They are a litle tempermental to start.
This one will not see the outdoors until it warms up. A lot.

Excellent!
So Gordon is moving to start up his business? Hope that goes well for him.

I haven't talked to him directly, so I don't know whether he's started the business and is moving or is moving to start the business. She has a landscape design place in St. Cloud.

I knew they became good friends on her site. i wish him all the best.

I hope he maintains a West Coast location. he's definitely into some interesting flora.

Yes, he certainly is. But his kids are grown and last I knew he wasn't thrilled with his job, so maybe he has nothing holding him here.
Off to bed.

I checked on my latest Draculuncus and It was doa under the eaves in one of the dryer places in my garden. I am now thinking of putting the next in a pot that I can gargage in the winter. I want a voodoo lily!