Hi
What are some of the Easiest Arisaema To grow In a warm Climate (St.Louis) and the soil Needs and culture.
Thanks Dennis
Arisaema for beginners
Bump
I love arisaemas, although I currently don't have any, they used to grow on the side of the mountain where I lived when I was in college in Western NC...they're so cool. They like a shady, moist location in humus rich soil with plenty of leaf mulch. It's definitely a woodland plant
It seems from what I can tell that you are in the middle of the hardiness range for many of the US natives and several others, here's the list of all arisaemas from plantfiles:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=Arisaema&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search
good luck, they're great plants. the only reason I don't have any is I haven't seen them for sale around here and I wouldn't feel right about collecting one from the mountains when I visit...lol
They seem to grow ok from seed. Takes a while...but maybe thats just me..
I actually ordered a bunch of seeds for winter sowing, seems like they'd be perfect for it here, but still waiting on them.....really wanted to try tortuosm because it they get so big
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.
wow....I just started a couple of arisaemas this spring and noticed that one I placed in the woods behind the house isn't doing as well as others and I know I didn't amend with all that stuff anywhere.....probably would make a difference. I figured since I had gotten that one from a native garden with no attention and I did the same thing it would be fine...
nice tortuosm
I have many Jacks that spring up spontaniously in my shady garden. I only have 1Sikukianum which is very fussy. It sometimes grows well and the next year only limps along. There is another one nearby that is about 4.5' tall and sems to do well. It is an unidentified one. I would be willing to send some of the wild Jacks if anyone sends the postage- about $6-7.00.