International Aroid Society

I've grown Dracunculus v. for about 40 years here in Canby, Oregon, USA, zone 7B or 8 (depending on whatever). Our winters vary from cool and wet to cold and wet. One winter it got down to 7 deg. F. In all of this, I've done nothing to (or for) them. Leave them in the ground all year. No fertilizer. No sprays. Nothing. They are growing under a Japanese maple so they get filtered sunlight all day and they get some water when the irrigation comes on 3 times a week during the summer. They emerge in early Spring, flower in mid-summer, and die back in the Fall. I should probably divide them because they've been in this particular location for about 15 years and the individual plants are not as large or as vigorous as they used to be. They seem to do well for me if I just ignore them.

Sheldon Hatheway

Canby, Oregon USA

From: PlantsAndStuff.com <ironious2@yahoo.com>
To: Discussion of aroids <aroid-l@www.gizmoworks.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 5:02 PM
Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Cultivation of Dracunculus vulgaris

All of the ones Ive grown no matter where Ive gotten them, begin sprout roots in the fall, grow leaves, flower in the spring then die back when it gets warm. They dont like any sun or heat it seems.

From: DAVID LEEDY <djleedy@sbcglobal.net>
To: "aroid-l@www.gizmoworks.com" <aroid-l@www.gizmoworks.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 11:20 AM
Subject:=0A [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=0A 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

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