Dracunculus questions

From: Rosalind rozgold at pacbell.net> on 2003.11.08 at 21:43:59(10787) Hi folks! I'm pretty much a lurker on this list, because I have just a few aroids as houseplants. However, I saw some pictures of Dracunculus vulgaris, and had one of those "can't live without them" reactions, so I purchased a few tubers. +More I have some basic questions about planting the tubers - my apologies for my extreme ignorance, or if these questions cover ground that his been covred before on the list: 1) One side of the tuber has structures on it that basically look like unpeeled garlic cloves - should they face upwards or downwards when I plant the tubers? 2) Any suggestions on the type of potting mix I should use? I know these plants can get big, but I'm going to start them in containers. thanks so much for your suggestions and help - -Roz, in Southern California

From: Paul Tyerman ptyerman at ozemail.com.au> on 2003.11.09 at 00:37:21(10788) Roz, > >I have some basic questions about planting the tubers - my apologies for my >extreme ignorance, or if these questions cover ground that his been covred >before on the list: We all have to learn about new things SOMEWHERE. That isn't extreme ignorance!! I love the Dracs myself (here they're just starting to colour the buds at the moment..... the stench should start in the next week or so ) and can put up with the smell for the short time it persists as I love the wonderful stems and foliage and the flower itself. > >1) One side of the tuber has structures on it that basically look like >unpeeled garlic cloves - should they face upwards or downwards when I plant >the tubers? The rounded surface is the bottom and the "flat" surface with the various points on it (these are the growing shoots) are to face upwards. A mature tuber more or less is shaped like the cap of a mushroom, only upside down. The main growing point is usually in the centre where the mushroom stem would have been, and then sometimes some other growing points are scattered around where the gills would be. I find even the tubers themselves are rather fascinating!! (Easily amused aren't I? ) > >2) Any suggestions on the type of potting mix I should use? I know these >plants can get big, but I'm going to start them in containers. > I've had them flower both in the ground and in containers without any problem. If they're biggish tubers then they'll do better in bigger pots as if they dry out they can go dormant a little earlier and potentially stress and miss flowering. An 8" or 10" at least for a big one would be fine as long as you keep it watered while growing. POts are also good because you can move them away from doors and windows the day the flower opens, which means you don't have to keep thinking that something died!! In the ground, just make sure you don't put it too close to doors and windows because you can't move it away when it opens. I'd give it something with decent drainage and plenty of food. So many of the Aroids are gross feeders and Dracs seem to respond well to it. They can multiply freely but still remain flowering when there is plenty of food and water while growing. If they are stressed too much I find they tend to split into smaller tubers that then have to recover to flowering size. When dormant it doesn't matter much WHAT you do with them. They can be left in pots or stored dry or whatever. Hopefully this is all of some help? If anyone else has any corrections to what I've said above then I'd be most interested to hear them. These are only based on my own experiences so I'd always be interested to hear if others treat them differently. We only get down to maybe -8'C in winter, so the treatment when dormant in much colder climates may be different. Good luck with growing them. Personally I feel they are more than worthwhile putting up with the smell for a short while, jsut to have that wonderful stem, foliage and flowers!! Cheers. Paul Tyerman +More Canberra, Australia. USDA equivalent - Zone 8/9 mailto:ptyerman@ozemail.com.au Growing.... Galanthus, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, Cyclamen, Crocus, Cyrtanthus, Oxalis, Liliums, Hellebores, Aroids, Irises plus just about anything else that doesn't move!!!!!

From: "danny wilson" mudwasp_ at hotmail.com> on 2003.11.09 at 01:11:16(10789) Hey there!for question 1: make sure the pointy end of the main tuber is facing upfor question 2: yea, these suckers can get huge and often multiply like weeds, so containers are a good idea. you can plant them in almost anything besides concrete or sugar and they will come up (maybe even in sugar)hope i helped you out. good luck with the little monsters >From: Rosalind >Reply-To: aroid-l@lists.ncsu.edu +More >To: aroid-l@lists.ncsu.edu >Subject: [aroid-l] Dracunculus questions >Date: Sat, 08 Nov 2003 13:43:59 -0800 > >Hi folks! > >I'm pretty much a lurker on this list, because I have just a few aroids as >houseplants. However, I saw some pictures of Dracunculus vulgaris, and had >one of those "can't live without them" reactions, so I purchased a few >tubers. > >I have some basic questions about planting the tubers - my apologies for my >extreme ignorance, or if these questions cover ground that his been covred >before on the list: > >1) One side of the tuber has structures on it that basically look like >unpeeled garlic cloves - should they face upwards or downwards when I plant >the tubers? > >2) Any suggestions on the type of potting mix I should use? I know these >plants can get big, but I'm going to start them in containers. > >thanks so much for your suggestions and help - > >-Roz, in Southern California > > > > Customize MSN Messenger with backgrounds, emoticons and more.

From: colin howells latisectus2003 at yahoo.co.uk> on 2003.11.09 at 11:56:54(10790) Hi Rosalind, If you intend to grow your tuber's in pot's, then I would suggest that you use a soil based compost with plenty of added drainage material such as grit or gravel. The tubers do not like to be waterlogged they will rot. The garlic cloves are young tubers and can be potted up and grown on. Finally add plenty of slow release fertilizer to build the corm up. Almost forgot, if it start's to flower indoors take it outside it smells terrible and will attract every fly in the vicinity . Good Luck, Your's Colin. Rosalind wrote:Hi folks! I'm pretty much a lurker on this list, because I have just a few aroids as houseplants. However, I saw some pictures of Dracunculus vulgaris, and had one of those "can't live without them" reactions, so I purchased a few tubers. +More I have some basic questions about planting the tubers - my apologies for my extreme ignorance, or if these questions cover ground that his been covred before on the list: 1) One side of the tuber has structures on it that basically look like unpeeled garlic cloves - should they face upwards or downwards when I plant the tubers? 2) Any suggestions on the type of potting mix I should use? I know these plants can get big, but I'm going to start them in containers. thanks so much for your suggestions and help - -Roz, in Southern California --------------------------------- Want to chat instantly with your online friends??Get the FREE Yahoo!Messenger

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