Hi all, There are several very hardy Arisaema species here in central Indiana, where we get ca 36 inches of precipitation per year and in winter the temperatures drop to 0 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit most winters. We have been growing the following Arisaema here since 1999 (as specimen plants, not for sale): candidissimum consanguineum draconitum (native here) fargesii kishidae ringens sazensoo serratum sikokianum triphyllum (native here) They are grown in a woodland garden, in soil amended with sand and composted leaves, so that the surface is somewhat elevated above the surrounding grade level. The above species survived last winter and spring's heavy precip as well as low temps that hit -8°F three times and -11°F one morning. Besides Ellen Hornig, I have bought Arisaema from Asiatica. I can recommend both sources. For details, see: http://shieldsgardens.com/GLOVBulbs/SOURCES.html/ Regards, Jim Shields in central Indiana USDA zone 5 At 06:55 PM 10/16/2003 -0400, Arnold wrote: >Jamie: > >Funny I wish I had your climate to grow other things. Its all about that >forbidden fruit thing I guess. > >I grow all the arisaemas in normal garden soil except I usually add a >couple of hands full of grit as I plant them. I get them from Seneca >Hill Perennials in upstate New York. Ellen Hornig is a real careful small >scale nursery owner that takes time and stands behind whatever she >wells. The grit is somewhat like aquarium gravel. I think that some >gardeners use chicken grit which is available at feed stores. > >I did have an episode of root mealy bugs which caused one of my tubers to >die back. Luckily I was able to save them by digging them up and treating >with a insecticide. > >Why are you over wintering in the garage? They are hardy here and we get >down to 10 to 15 F routinely. I live ten minutes outside of NYC and we >get wet winters and actually this spring and summer were the wettest on record. > >If you want some of the seeds of the tortuosum let me know and send and >address. I was going to send them to the SX/BX for distribution to the group. > >Arnold > >_______________________________________________ >pbs mailing list >pbs@lists.ibiblio.org >http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php ************************************************* Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd. P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/ Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA Member of INTERNATIONAL CLIVIA CO-OP