Helicodiceros/Dracunculus hardiness

From: "James W. Waddick" <jim-jim at swbell.net> on 1998.04.24 at 14:26:20(2034) Dear aroiders; We had some discussion of the hardiness of Helicodioceros recently and I waited for "evidence'. First some explanations: +More Dracunculus vulgaris is fully hardy here - not common, but seen in a few gardens here and there. Last year we bulit a rock wall/bed ( 30 ft wide, 3 ft tall and 3 ft deep) for plants needing extra good drainage. The long side of ther wall faces due west-full sun/warm. I planted almost side by side tubers of Helicodiceros and Dracunculus obtained from Rob McClure the year before. They were planted fairly deep in the loose soil. This past winter was very mild (for Zone 5/6) except for a savage 'dip' to -7 F in Mid-March. Now I can report with some certainty that the Dracunculus did not survive in this bed, but the Helicodiceros is popping up-and has it's second leaf. I was suprised at this turn. I grew Dracunculus in my old garden, but it did not make the move. Just got a couple new plants during a visit to the generous Steve (and Cathy) Marak and I have a 'reserve' Helicodiceros in a pot. I have already planted the new Dracunculs in the same spot following Major Hardy's advice about killing it twice (and then some). The reserve Helicodiceros will go into the same bed later when the weather really does improve. So my zone 5/6 experiement might encourage others to try Helicodiceros in high and dry sitings. Was this site TOO dry for the Dracunculus? Comments, please. best Jim W. James W. Waddick Voice: 816 746 1949 8871 NW Brostrom Rd E-MAIL: jim-jim@swbell.net Kansas City MO 64152 Fax: 816 746 1939 Zone 5/6 - Winter low -10 degrees F Summer high +100 degrees F

From: Mark Evans <LIBEVANS at ACS.EKU.EDU> on 1998.04.24 at 18:33:50(2035) Jim, Interesting to note that you grew your Helicodiceros high and dry. Mine is in a bright woodland setting alongside some trilliums. All three plants came back after a really wet winter. Wonders never cease. Mark Evans +More Restless Natives 581 Owsley Fork Rd. Berea, KY 40403-9664 Zone 6

From: Mike Bernardoni <mikeb at GlobalEyes.net> on 1998.04.25 at 01:11:32(2036) Hello... I live in Zone 6 Southern Illinois.. I am a novice when it comes to aroids....I have several Aroids that I received from Professor Mansell and have been successful growing Caladiums and allocasia...could you tell me more about the Hardy aroids you are talking about?? I am completly lost!! TIA Mike Bernardoni +More James W. Waddick wrote: > Dear aroiders; > We had some discussion of the hardiness of Helicodioceros recently > and I waited for "evidence'. > First some explanations: > Dracunculus vulgaris is fully hardy here - not common, but seen in > a few gardens here and there.

From: Judy Bauer <jbauer at concordnc.com> on 1998.04.25 at 16:20:57(2037) Hi Mike, I have seeds from Calla lilies: Zantedeschia albo-maculata and Zantedeschia rehmannii, left over from last year. If you planted them this year, I promise you that everyone of the would come up. Judy Bauer +More 8440 Huckleberry Trl Concord NC 28027 US plant zone 7 Mike Bernardoni wrote: > Hello... I live in Zone 6 Southern Illinois.. I am a novice when it comes to > aroids....I have several Aroids that I received from Professor Mansell and have > been successful growing Caladiums and allocasia...could you tell me more about > the Hardy aroids you are talking about?? I am completly lost!! TIA Mike > Bernardoni > > James W. Waddick wrote: > > > Dear aroiders; > > We had some discussion of the hardiness of Helicodioceros recently > > and I waited for "evidence'. > > First some explanations: > > Dracunculus vulgaris is fully hardy here - not common, but seen in > > a few gardens here and there.

From: "Julius Boos" <ju-bo at email.msn.com> on 1998.04.26 at 15:45:57(2040) -----Original Message----- To: ju-bo@msn.com Date: Friday, April 24, 1998 9:02 PM Subject: Re: Helicodiceros/Dracunculus hardiness Dear Mike, I live in Florida, so do not grow the "hardy Aroids" mentioned. I believe that people in your zones are encouraged to grow Aroids that tend thrive in the climate where you live, and go dormant but survive the winters either outside, or be brought inside for some species. There are MANY Aroids (even some natives!) that grow and can do well in your climate, such as Arum, Dracunculus, Biarum, etc., but I will leave it to someone "from the cold" to advise you on the availability of species suitable to your area. Cheers, Julius +More ju-bo@msn.com >Hello... I live in Zone 6 Southern Illinois.. I am a novice when it comes to aroids....I have several Aroids that I received from Professor Mansell and have been successful growing Caladiums and allocasia...could you tell me more about the Hardy aroids you are talking about?? I am completly lost!! TIA Mike Bernardoni<

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