International Aroid Society

HiTom,

Inthe Mediterranean the ripe fruits stay on the peduncle for a long time, and generallyare collected by thrushes or blackbirds (Turdus spp.) late in summer, as the autumn/winterrains begin. The seed passes through the bird, either via regurgitation orthrough faeces, but the important thing is that the red pericarp and pulpy mesocarpis removed

Thefruits =A0should be cleaned of the pulp and sown on the surface of a mineral-soilrich mix and covered to ca. =BD inch with small chippings (1/8-1/4 inch), ideallylimestone. Water them well and stand the pot someplace shady. Keep an eye onwater; don’t let them become totally dry, but equally overwatering isdetrimental. They will begin to germinate immediately they encounter moisturebut, depending on the species, will either produce an aerial shoot (eophyll)soon after germination (most), or will concentrate on root/tuber production andproduce an aerial shoot very early in the new year (maculatum, cylindraceum,orientale).

Verybest

Pete

From: Tom Croat [mailto:Thomas.Croat@mobot.org]
Sent: 15 August 2009 11:26
To: aroid-l@gizmoworks.com
Cc: phymatarum@gmail.com; Boyce (Business Fax); Nasja.Grubisic@brodosplit.hr
Subject: Advise in planting Arum seeds

DearAroiders:

I just returned from a trip to the Balkans and collected an Arum in fruit inDurres, Albania. Since these berries were mature in the midst of theirdry Mediterranean style summer and if shed directly in such dry conditionscould surely not germinate I am assuming that they must somehow survive withoutgerminating until the rains begin. Does anyone know what I should do toget these seeds to germinate? Do they need to be stored? Planteddirectly? Treated in any particular way? I would appreciate youhelp. Emily is coming in tomorrow to deal with them so if you have someadvise I would love to hear from you.

Thanks!

Tom

Pete: I have copied both you and Marija Bedalov since I know that both of you havehad direct experience with Arum.

Tom