June 11th. Not all aroids of course.....
From left to right: C. antiquorum 'Illustris', Canna 'Tropicanna', Z.aethiopica 'Green Goddess', Cyperus papyrus of some sort, and C. esculenta.
Before and after, then and now.
And here they are 2 mos. later.
The Tropicanna is gone to a friend and I've added Pistia stratiotes (Water Lettuce--an aroid!!!!).
So from left: EE 'Illustris', Z.aethiopica 'White Giant' at the front, papyrus, Z. 'Green Goddess' at the front, and EE on the right, all surrounded by the Water Lettuce. On the ground is some Zebra Grass that I removed from the trough because of all the Water Lettuce.
edited for botanical mis-spellings.
This message was edited Aug 19, 2006 9:20 PM
A closer look.
Water Lettuce. It's an aroid, I tell ya'.
See that little spathe and spadix?
That's a great arrangement. I can't believe how big they grew and how fast!
ROX
They really zoom in our heat and humidity. It amazes me too. I hate to see summer winding down, it's been a great season.
Robert.
That's great! I gotta ask about that container, is it granite?
Very cool.. Robert..
Viv
Yes it's granite. An old water trough AFAIK. Could be part of some type of mill or something, dunno. There's two holes bored at one end, if that helps. I plug them with plasticene clay which stays soft and can be removed to drain for cleaning.
Robert.
Robert
You have nice collection and very healthy plants.....any special fertelizer?
Kaleem
I feed them occasionally with a liquid 20-20-20 like Miracle-gro. Have also used 15-30-15. Being that they are in the water, I used to remove them to feed them so the solution flows through, but the last time I just poured it on. Only fed them a few times, not more than three, and not always full strength.
I guess the outflowing fertilizer fed the Pistia too. They multiply like mad!
Robert.
You've been holding out on this one! I can't believe the growth in 2 months, and I can see a spathe on Colocasia Illustris. Mine is still very small, but can't complain, it is still alive!
Such a brilliant trough for them, is it an old one? It looks too clean to be very old. If it has 2 holes you would think it was for a bath tub! Perhaps it was bolted to something, maybe it was a horse or animal trough with a hand pump from a well.
I am impressed! I suppose these plants will have to be removed for the winter?
Robert, I'd never thought water lettuce was an aroid! Thanks for the lesson and mostly for posting your very beautiful growth and unique "pot". Nice!
I'm pretty sure that trough was made in the 19th century, it is hand made, with possibly some mechanical surfacing on the top. It would fetch a pretty penny at the quarry I used to work at, that's for sure. It's guaranteed not to blow away! lol
About the trough:
It's roughly 68 inches by 24 inches by 12 inches (L x w x H) and only is 5-6 inches deep (the fillable area). Might be a sitz bath at best wallaby1.
I agree about the hand hewing and possible mechaical smoothing. The outside is pretty bumpy in places but inside the trough and around the top, it's pretty smooth.
I'll ask my uncle if knows more about its provenance, etc. He had a wonderful millstone in his yard since the 1950s and it is now in his son's yard. His sister filled the ring (where the wheel would grind along) with waterplants at one time.
There are (were) a lot of hewn granite stones in the immediate area. They're to be found in and around what remains of all-but-gone houses here and there. Used as supports for the whole structure as well as for steps and around wells etc.
wallaby1~
I have been checking the Illustris for pollen but it doesn't seem to be making any. Was hoping to save some to use in crosses. O well. I'll be taking in all the Aroids, in to be sure. I'll be taking them in before it gets too cool and will see if I can find enough light to keep them green through the winter, in hopes that Green Goddess and White Giant might bloom, but will be happy to keep them going.
Robert.
I did read not long ago that Illustris doesn't make seed, so sterility could be the problem.
Mine stayed green all winter and died back as spring approached, it did regrow but late, July I think. I have a small A. Purpley which did the same, but is even slower to make growth, It developed a pale shoot which sat there, I yanked it a couple of days ago as it had been attached lightly by one side, just to see if it was growing roots. It came out of the compost, but had 2 new white roots about 1.5" long. I hope it lives, the 'nub' is hard and still only about 1/2" across or less, it won't get much growing time before winter.