Aroids in London

From: LisaOthello at gateway.net on 2001.04.17 at 15:29:18(6190) Hi everybody! My name is Lisa and I posted a message on here a while back and everyone was so helpful I thought I'd try it again. I'm planning a trip to England in September and I've read several posts on this list that have mentioned Sri Lankan markets in London that have large Amorphophallus tubers for sale. Can anyone point me in the direction of one of these markets. I've already been told that if I think I'm spending the entire trip in England looking for a Sri Lankan market that sells Amorphophallus tubers that I'm sadly mistaken. Also I was wondering if anyone knows of interesting gardens in England, besides Kew Gardens, that have Aroids (particularly, Amorphophallus or Arisaema)? If no one can help me I fear I'm going to be dragged to every topiary filled English garden in the country!! Not that there's anything wrong with topiary or English Gardens but I find Aroids to be much more interesting :)! One more quick question for anyone out there from England. Due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak what can I expect when I get to England if I want to rent a car and drive around the countryside? I've been reading on the Internet that trails and parks are shut down, are there still places to go where you can hike and see things? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for everyone's time! Lisa Baumgartner +More Portland, Oregon

From: "Peter Boyce" p.boyce at rbgkew.org.uk> on 2001.04.17 at 16:30:23(6193) Hi Lisa Firt and foremost, son't worry about F & M. The only land closed to the public is land that has hoofed animals (sheep, cattle, deer) on it. Since that sort of land amounts to about 1% of the entire land surface of the UK then you're not even REMOTELY affected by this unless you intend to spend your entire vacation driving across muddy farmlands! Markets: THE markets to visit are: Southall in West London (Sundays particularly good, don't plan to get there much before 11 and don't have breakfast that day - eat at the markets). By the way, Southall is a long shopping street rather than a market, heartland of the Indian and Bangaldesh West London community, and great not only for aroids but also food, textiles, spices, etc. Brixton in East London (Saturdays and Sundays) A real market, hearland of the Afro-Carribean and asian communities. Another place to eat at. Bradford (West Midlands). THE largest asian market in the UK. Stunning. Sundays very good. Pete +More ---------------------------- Peter Boyce Herbarium Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE Tel. (+44) (0)20 8 332 5207 fax. (+44) (0)20 8 332 5278 email: p.boyce@rbgkew.org.uk (work) boyce@pothos.demon.co.uk (home)

From: GeoffAroid at aol.com on 2001.04.18 at 01:32:35(6195) Lisa, I was the person responsible for alerting aroiders to the joys of shopping at Sri Lankan greengrocers! If you take the underground train to Tooting Broadway (Northern line heading south) and turn left as you come out of the station you will see about 4 or 5 greengrocers along about 2 blocks. They all sell tubers of Amorph paeoniifolius of various sizes. Be warned they are very heavy! Carrying 3 or 4 of these things around London is no joke. Regarding the countryside here, do not be too alarmed, only parks and trails likely to cross farm land or otherwise approach hoofed animals are closed. There are still lots of forests and parks you can happily walk in. I dont know of anywhere near London with Amorphs other than Kew although several places have nice aroids. If you have the time you should go to the Wyld Court Rainforest in Hampstead Norreys, near Newbury, Berkshire (about 45 mins west of London by car). They have a good aroid collection and the grower there - Myles Challis - is an aroid enthusiast. He is there Sunday to Tuesday,ask for him and tell him I recommended him. If you want to give me a call when you get here, feel free, I have sent my phone number to your private email. +More Best wishes, Geoffrey Kibby London

From: "Derek Burch" derek at horticulturist.com> on 2001.04.18 at 01:33:10(6196) Thank you for the advice on the markets, Peter. I have looked a number of times on various trips and in various places, but have had more luck with gingers than with aroids. I am usually in London in October/November, which may not be the best time of year. I had forgotten about Southall (I grew up in Hanwell), and will try to get out there next month. After a lot of years I decided that I had to do Chelsea Flower Show again while I could still walk around it - so Southall goes on the agenda. Lisa, there are a number of sites with news about Foot and mouth to amplify what Peter says. www.openbritain.gov.uk has a number of links that are useful , and the Royal Automobile Club site http://www.rac.co.uk/ has infornmation about specific areas. Let's hope that there is some resolution of the problem before you are there. derek +More ----- Original Message ----- To: "Multiple recipients of list AROID-L" Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 12:30 PM Subject: Re: Aroids in London > Hi Lisa > > Firt and foremost, son't worry about F & M. The only land closed to > the public is land that has hoofed animals (sheep, cattle, deer) on > it. Since that sort of land amounts to about 1% of the entire land > surface of the UK then you're not even REMOTELY affected by this > unless you intend to spend your entire vacation driving across > muddy farmlands! > > Markets: THE markets to visit are: > > Southall in West London (Sundays particularly good, don't plan to > get there much before 11 and don't have breakfast that day - eat at > the markets). By the way, Southall is a long shopping street rather > than a market, heartland of the Indian and Bangaldesh West > London community, and great not only for aroids but also food, > textiles, spices, etc. > > Brixton in East London (Saturdays and Sundays) A real market, > hearland of the Afro-Carribean and asian communities. Another > place to eat at. > > Bradford (West Midlands). THE largest asian market in the UK. > Stunning. Sundays very good. > > Pete > > ---------------------------- > Peter Boyce > Herbarium > Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew > Richmond, Surrey > TW9 3AE > Tel. (+44) (0)20 8 332 5207 > fax. (+44) (0)20 8 332 5278 > email: p.boyce@rbgkew.org.uk (work) > boyce@pothos.demon.co.uk (home) > >

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