I have Arum italicum (that's all I know about it) and it was planted last fall. This spring, all I got one one leaf from one bulb. That died off about mid-summer. Now, I've got two plants, each with two leaves and more new ones coming. What's up with that? Is that normal for gingers? You can tell I know nothing about them!
My ginger is just now coming up!
Bump.
Well, I don't know any other way to say it......but Arum italicum isn't a ginger, not by a long shot. Surprised? It's an Arum, not a Zingiber, etc.
And the behaviour you describe is normal for A. italicum.
A. italicum comes up Sept-Oct and is green through the winter. It will bloom in the spring and lose foliage by summer's start and be gone--unless you get seed set. In that case, you'll have the fruited spike remaining. Makes a nice splash of Chinese red and the "berries" ripen.
The cultivar called 'Marmoratum" has especially pronounced whitish veins. http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55580/index.html
Robert.
This message was edited Oct 5, 2006 12:29 AM
Oh boy, do I feel embarrassed! Now why I thought it was a ginger is beyond me. Let's see now...what can I blame my faux pas on? LOL.
Well, anyway, thank you so much for the information, Robert. I'll just let it do its thing and watch. I guess I'm kind of surprised that it makes it here in zone 5. There aren't that many things that appear to be tender, yet can be green through winter. Hellebores are another, and they do well here.
The link you provided looks just like the one I have.
*hanging head in shame*
I know why I made the mistake................
Arum
Asarum
Boy, what a difference a couple of letters make. LOLOLOL
Oh, I've done the same sort of thing, mixing up names. I sure can see why you'd you get these two confused.
I have A. italicum and I really love the foliage. The blooms were especially large this year. Wish I had taken some pix. Mine do better if they get lots of water.
Robert.
I'll be surprised if I get blooms this year, but you never know! Yes, the foliage is outstanding! Mine are in full shade. Is that the best place for them? It's a consistently moist spot, too.
Are they shaded fall through spring?
In your zone, they might benefit from a good bit more direct light while in leaf. You could almost have them in full sun there.
I have mine in an area that gets part sun while the trees are green and will continue to get some after the leaves fall though the angle and time of the sun will be different. They've done well where they are, but might do better with more light. They multiply every year and I get moreand more blooms.
I might try some in a different site next season . I'd like to rework the soil where they are now and put ferns there. If so, I might put them in the sunniest site I have for this time of year.
Good luck with yours!
Robert.
They do need to be a certain size to bloom. From what you said earlier, your plants sounds a bit young to bloom next spring......it won't be too long before you see one.
Robert.
No, no direct sun. I was thinking of moving them. Should I do that now, or wait?
I'm a little reluctant to move bulbous plants, but I have done it with good success. Sometimes I'd rather not risk setting back, if possible, but in your case, I think if you do it carefully, it would only be beneficial in the long run. It's a young plant and only just emerging, so it should recover quickly. It might not even miss a beat if you're careful.
Just take a large amount of soil with the rootball. Have the soil moist. Try to lift it out with all roots and soil intact. Just do it soon and all should be well.
Robert.
I've moved bulbs in the growth phase many times, with success, so okay, here goes! :-)
Sounds good!
Robert.
We'll see if they continue to look this happy in the next few days...
