Helicodiceros and Dracunculus

From: Rand Nicholson <writserv at nbnet.nb.ca> on 1997.12.14 at 02:10:03(1743) Hi Aroideans: Just an update on what is going on with the Heliocodicerous muscivoros and Dracunculus vulgaris tubers that were sent out from Down Under by Rob McClure last spring. I am attempting to switch them over to Northern Hemisphere time. (Most of what follows has already been sent to Doug Budric who is also doing interesting things with these plants and, hopefully, will send an update also?). These tubers were planted just under the soil surface in a large, deep tub. When I went to dig them up all of the tubers were over sixteen inches down in the tub. +More I took the Heli's to the limit up here in zone 5b (the limit of my nerves, anyway) and left them out through six frosts and a heavy snowfall. When I dug them up, the top of the large tub and the sides were frozen solid for up to an inch. The leaves of the Heli were a bit worse for the wear, but still mostly green and firm. The soil had _not_ frozen to the leaf stems. Although the plants were buried out of sight for over twelve hours overnight in -6 C temps during a snowstorm, there were tiny little unfrozen rings of soil around each of the three stems. This had also occured through the previous five frosts where the top of the tub had frozen lightly to moderately. This leaves one wondering: is this one of those aroids that is reputed to generate its own heat? One tuber was half frozen into the side of the tub over sixteen inches down. I broke the soil off it and the tuber (and pups) is apparently undamaged after four weeks on the drying board. >From the first planting of three tubers I got five primary tubers (the two large ones dividing and the smaller one fattening up). I also got over _twenty_ little offsets, or pups. Next season will see how some of these plants overwinter in a Zone 5b garden. I still have one Dracunculus in a pot on a windowsill, growing quite nicely if somewhat slowed down. After Christmas, I am going to stop watering and dry it out. Then I will give it a four-to-five month cool treatment in the crisper and see how it compares with the two other Drac's I have in dry storage, as far as reversing the southern hemisphere growth pattern and breaking dormancy. Kind Regards, Rand ( in the Really Great White With Way-Far Too Much Snow) Rand Nicholson New Brunswick Maritime Canada, Z 5b

From: "Nathanael Simonsson" <kohlerior at hotmail.com> on 1997.12.14 at 17:26:20(1749) Hi Aroideans! My name is Nathanael Simonsson and I live in Sweden.. I am going to be very interested in Aroids, I've got some species now from USA and I wonder if anyone want to trade with me? I have these aroids to offer: +More Arisaema amurense " sp. #1 (no description) " sp. #2 (no more description than "Striped flowers") " tortuosum ex KBE 094 [coll. Kashmir, 3000m. 1983] Arisarum vulgare Arum orientale Biarum tenuifolium (out of order soon!) Do anyone want to trade with me? I am searching for Amorphophallus, Dracunculus, Arum creticum, Pinellia and more.. I can also trade out Asclepiadaceae, Gesneriaceae or 1000 different species of many different families (seed). Look at my website! http://www.torget.se/users/k/Kohleria/ Ps. the English version is not finished but halfway to do.. Gesneriaceae - please look at: http://www.torget.se/users/k/Kohleria/min-gesneria.html Have a nice day! Merry Xmas to you all! Nathanael in Sweden... here it is none snow... want to have snow! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

From: "Carlo A. Balistrieri" <cabalist at facstaff.wisc.edu> on 1997.12.14 at 17:37:26(1750) At 08:11 PM 12/13/97 -0600, you wrote: >Hi Aroideans: > >Just an update on what is going on with the Heliocodicerous muscivoros and >Dracunculus vulgaris tubers... Here in Wisconsin, under lights, they are just starting another growth cycle. Second one since they got here. Carlo +More Carlo A. Balistrieri, J.D. Email: CABalist@facstaff.wisc.edu P.O. Box 327 Ashippun, WI 53003-0327 U.S.A. Voice: 414.569.1902 Telefax: same number, please call ahead.

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