International Aroid Society

I have had very variedsuccess with Nymphaeas. The books say large containers with no holes andNO animal manure; only good topsoil. Then you have to keep giving fertilizer(the Nymphaea fertilizer is EXPENSIVE) or the plants start decreasing in size.

But I observed that ayellow nymphaea which had grown over the edge of the pot, had sent roots spreadingin all directions in the gunk on the concrete floor of the pond (largely fish excrement). And the lily went wild! Huge leaves and flowers.

So I started puttingnymphaeas in fairly wide, but very shallow plastic containers, reasoning thatthe roots like the aeration on the surface of the soil medium. I use cat littertrays or shallow “wash pans” (pre-washing machine). Inthe bottom I put 4 inches of well-rotted pig manure, topped by 4 inches ofloam. I plant the nymphaea in the centre and cover the loam withsand. Then I gently submerge the container in the 18 inch deep pond, but notkeeping the crown 6 to 8 inches below the water surface, as the books tell youto do.

I consistently getgood results that last for many, many months without adding more pig manure.

From:aroid-l-bounces@gizmoworks.com [mailto:aroid-l-bounces@gizmoworks.com] On Behalf Of Adam Black
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 11:22AM
To: Discussion of aroids
Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Cyrtospermagrowing media suggestions...

I don't recall if anyone has mentioned it yet,but has anyone tried the "mesh" pots for aquatic aroids? I wouldimagine these would be beneficial to allow for better circulation through thepot and media. I think they are more commonly used for water lilies so wouldthink they would apply perfectly toward aroids. I have a Montrichardia in needof repotting and I am going to give it a try.

Adam

-----Original Message-----
From: John Criswick
Sent: Oct 9, 2009 11:48 AM
To: 'Discussion of aroids'
Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Cyrtosperma growing mediasuggestions...

For some years I havehad a Cyrtosperma johnstonii growing just outside my concrete pond, which isabove ground level by 18 inches (45 cm.) It used to be grown in anotherpond, with roots totally submerged in water. Here it is in permanentlydamp soil and the soil is a very heavy, intractable clay loam, so it would notseem that it needs to be in moss, although that might provide theultimate/optimum of conditions.

In the attached photoyou can see the Cyrtosperma with a Typhonodourum lindleyi behind it, in thesame soil, and a Musa ornate to the right of it.

John.

From: aroid-l-bounces@gizmoworks.com[mailto:aroid-l-bounces@gizmoworks.com] OnBehalf Of RAYMOMATTLA@cs.com
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 20099:50 PM
To: aroid-l@gizmoworks.com
Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Cyrtospermagrowing media suggestions...

Jeremy, I believe the AtlantaBotanical Gardens grew a very large C. johnstonii in what looked like (if I canremember right) a large rock bowl with just moss as the growing medium. Probably keep very moist but not too wet. Just another suggestion. I wouldnt totally submerge the roots though...

Thanks,
Michael Mattlage
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