International Aroid Society

Hi David...I live in Vancouver BC and have a good stand of Dracunculus that starts pushing up from the winter dormant tubers in late spring...( late April early May) ...and reaches open flower stage in last half of June to early July

They are growing in a fairly shaded area on the North side of the house. The ground they are in is ordinary poor soil really...a mixture of loam,clay and general dead plant remains and decomposed old etc. (not augmented in any way) but they seem just fine. I don't fuss with them at all. They just do their thing.

-------Original Message-------

From: DAVID LEEDY

Date: 03/07/2013 12:04:08 PM

To: aroid-l@www.gizmoworks.com

Subject: [Aroid-l] Cultivation of Dracunculus vulgaris

When I lived in Los Angeles, I just placed some tubers of D. vulgaris in the ground and forgot about them until they sprouted and bloomed.

Here in North Texas, the circumstances are a little different (eg. temperatures, humidity, etc=2E). I tried growing 7 tubers in containers. Four sprouted, two did not sprout - but still look viable, and one rotted.

The four that sprouted did so in April - May, looked terrible, and were down within 6 -8 weeks or so. When do they ordinarily sprout in the Northern Hemisphere? How long do the ordinarily grow before going dormant again.

Is there a particular soil acidity/alkalinity requirement for this species?

I had them in partial shade (early morning only). Do they require more shade or more sun?

I watered them with a weak plant food when I thought they needed it (more often in warmer weather). Should they be allowed to dry out or should the soil remain moist?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

David Leedy