Re: [Aroid-l] Cultivation of Dracunculus vulgaris

From: Tony Avent <Tony at plantdelights.com> on 2013.07.03 at 20:18:59 David:   In the wilds of Crete, Dracunculus grow in the most brutal of climates...full baking sun, excessive heat, and in very dry soils.  Occasionally, you will find them growing in shade as well.  Dracunculus vulgaris hate being in containers...especially small ones, for very long and will almost always rot there. In the garden, they must be planted where they will stay fairly dry in winter.  Larger shrubs/perennials that help keep the soil dry are great.  You can see photos of them in situ in our trip diary at http://www.plantdelights.com/Crete/departments/570/   Tony Avent Plant Delights Nursery @ Juniper Level Botanic Garden 9241 Sauls Road Raleigh, North Carolina  27603  USA Minimum Winter Temps 0-5 F Maximum Summer Temps 95-105F USDA Hardiness Zone 7b email tony@plantdelights.com website  http://www.plantdelights.com phone 919 772-4794 fax  919 772-4752 "I consider every plant hardy until I have killed it myself...at least three times" - Avent   From: aroid-l-bounces@www.gizmoworks.com [mailto:aroid-l-bounces@www.gizmoworks.com] On Behalf Of Marlena Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 3:23 PM To: Discussion of aroids Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Cultivation of Dracunculus vulgaris 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.).  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   --_000_DFCB5D1A8384BE489004AF8F4035D324579773D7FBPDNRALSRV01pd_-- --_004_DFCB5D1A8384BE489004AF8F4035D324579773D7FBPDNRALSRV01pd_

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