Non-aroid EE: Fuki

With all the rain we've been having this year, my Variegated Fuki is showing splendid colors. I wanted to share this non-aroid EE pic with the people who most might appreciate it. Hope you all don't object. If you do, I'll ask Dave's to remove it.

Variegated Fuki leaves get to about 2' in diameter. The plant grows to about 2' tall for me. It is Zone 5 hardy. It needs a fair amount of water (I consider it to be a marginal) but does not tolerate submersion other than for a brief time. It is highly invasive here, seemingly the only thing that slows it down is drying out. Every little piece of root will start another plant. It spreads by short runners, thus not spreading very fast, but being hard to remove.

I think its gorgeous

Do you know what the genus and species are for that plant?

Petasites japonicus variegated I have this plant it is very hardy to zone 3 but cannot handle tropical zones. It can get large with big leaves around 2 feet long and wide maybe more. It likes a lot of moisture and can sometimes grow in water.

Ahh Krowten, thank's much for adding this and Brian thank's much for the information as well.

Do any of you grow some of the Pinellia plant's? I am just now venturing into some of these plant's. I think they have a tropical look to them as well.

Here is one that has one bloom.

one more in the family.

This one remind's me of an E.E.

Rachel

Lari Ann, I knew that but forgot to post it. Brian has is right (and thank you Brian!) It does not always look this nice. For example, last year there was little variegation on it.

This is very easy to grow but does not like full sun. It tends to wilt for me during the afternoons. We've had a couple of weeks of cool, rainy weather with little sun and it's showing that it loves these conditions.

Forgot to add that I keep digging it up and sharing with others, but it keeps coming back. I could actually use the space for something else but springs like this remind me why I got it.

I'm not familiar with Pinellia myself.

Krowten, I would be more than happy to take some off your hand's! Just let me know what you would like in return. I would be more than happy to send you money for you time/plant's/mailing cost.

Rachel

I have been very interested in Pinellia over the years. I grow several forms as well. I have killed the two you are showing I am not sure why possibly to cold or just wrong situation.

Brian, please tell me of the "situation" that you were trying to grow them in? The plant pic's that I posted here are starter plant's and I would prefer not to loose them. Any information you can provide for me would be well appreciated.

Thank's

Rachel

This message was edited May 6, 2009 12:04 AM

I tried to grow petasites here in FL and Brian is right its an exercise in futility

Sheeze, I have this plant growing in sun, shade, and in the tropical zone!! Just took this pic few mins ago..I water this spot just about every 3 days...If we dont get any rain...

It won't grow here, in 90+ heat with 90%+ humidity. Sorry. It was 93 here today and humid as...well, you know. Heat index was probably over 100 easily. Petasites just won't do here.

I grew this and it did really well for two seasons....(it had really spread the second season)then it just plain never came up the next year....any ideas as to why, anyone?

I was thinking that perhaps it wasn't hard for me (Z4) after all, but you say, Brian...hardy to zone 3?

I was pretty sure I'd kept it moist enough (it was growing right near our outdoor spigot, and beside our deck where the runoff from watering all the other plants on the deck hits.

Nan, It does not like full sun and tends to spread via the roots. I suspect that an individual plant only lasts for a season or two and you need new plants to keep it going (e.g. don't pull out the new ones ) Not sure if I can help as I initially planted in several locations, then decided to drop back to one. Still pulling it out of the other locations if I am not vigilant it will re-surge. It is invasive and hence vigorous here.

hmm...I think I did trade a few that year, so it could be that I pulled too many out.
Maybe it's a good thing I don't grow it anymore! (invasive)...it was beautiful, though.

Here is a picture of Petasites hybridius this one is also fast spreading but looks like rhubarb and gets large. I usually give it and horsetail some room and let them fight it out.

Brian, Did you ever work with some of the larger Gunnaria (not sure of the spelling)?

That is the one I tried, Brian. It was labeled "Dinosaur food" Petasites. Didn't work here, LOL. I wish it would, I'd like to have a plant like that

WOW! I like it!

Rachel

It is a fun plant to grow. Gunnera is just a pain to grow. I had one survive for 3 years here but surviving and actually growing are two different things. I never got a leaf over 1 foot across. It died during a summer drought here two years ago. I think a constant water source is very crucial to it surviving.

Which species of gunnera were you working with? I tried to start some from seed a few years ago with complete failure.

That is sure a plant to lust for. But with my heat, I have been chicken to try it even though I live on a lake. So, I joined up with the alocasia/colocasia tribe here and am awaiting 36 babies, one being the Borneo Giant. Hope I have some luck with all that I ordered. If not, for the price, there will be lots of fun.

Hap

I used to lust over the Gunnera (I think manicata??) on the WorldPlants site. But they flatly discourage Floridians, no matter what part of the state we live in, from 'wasting our money'. I had a friend who decided to try it anyway, and, yes, it was a waste of $$ here. Just too hot.

The 'reputable' nurseries here do not carry fuschia, hosta, or huechera for the very same reason.

Hi All,
As far as I know, Gunnera and Petasites are not related, they just look a bit alike, so I feel that this thread has gotten a bit confused.

For what it's worth, I had a Gunnera growing in my six foot wide one foot deep fish pond for about three years. It was never as massive as they CAN get, but it did flower twice during that time so it can be done. In hot climates, the key seems to be full shade and growing the plant with its feet in water - enough water to keep it cool. I planted mine in a large wire hanging basket with a coir liner and stood that on a couple of bricks so the bottom third of the basket was always under water. The roots grew out through the liner into the pond and the 4 large shubunkin goldfish provided the free fertiliser! The plant always died right back in the winter for me, which probably kept it smaller than it might have become, but each year the leaves reached between 3 and 4 feet from the crown, so I was pretty happy. I only lost the plant when I had to move house in late 2006. I put the Gunnera basket in a plastic rubbish bin with some water from the fishpond as temporary accommodation, but unfortunately we had some extra nasty hot weather before I could organise a new pond for all the aquatics and I think the water in the bin got too hot and the plant rotted. I plan to try again though, once I get a new fishpond.

Ciao KK.

kk, Agreed, Gunnera and Petasites are not the same nor related. Just big eared plants that like water.

Thanks!

I bought 1 Petasite from Brian 3 years ago. I guess I'm classified as sub-tropical but it is doing great for me. I've also given it to many people.

I have tried Gunnera here in Alabama...one in morning sun..one in full shade..both in a pond...both went to the big garden in the sky....I even have about 1/4 of a baggie of seeds I can't get to grow....sooooo with Brian's pic I think I will try Petasites..any idea on a good seller...that is reasonable on three..I try to buy three on a plant I have never grown...Heck I should get one out of three to grow..lol lol

Jody

Great to see it is doing so well.

jeri,

That pix is just beautiful.

Hap

Thank you Hap!!! This grouping started with one and I have allowed it this area now. LOL!!!!