Arisaema consanguineum |
Native Region: Far East
Zone Range: 5-9
Preferred Climate: Shady sites with fertile humusy evenly moist soil; does not tolerate summer drought
Harvest Date: Friday 30 December, 2011
Seed count: 20-25
Description:
Slender tall plant (2 meters) with mottled snake skin patterned stems. Spathe is purple brown with narrow white stripes the elongated hood tapers to a long thread. Single leaf is divided into 12 or so leaflets that too end with long fine points. Makes dime sized corms in its first year.
Notes:
One of the hardiest and easiest to grow Arisaema. Wonderful in the shade garden. Spathe withers to reveil green berries that ripen to a bright scarlet. Nearly all Arisaema species are gendered, but its interesting to note Arisaema are capable of changing their sex even in mid season. Small plants are usally male until the corm reaches sufficent size thus carbohydrate stores to support seed production then it becomes female! One of the very few plants capable of 'switching'.
Cultivation:
Soak seed 24-36 hours;; sow thinly at 6 mm deep; optimum germination temp: 20-25 C; days to germinate: 14-35. Never let seedlings to dry out. Alternative: soak seed 24-36 hours. Sow in baggie with moistened peat moss. Provide 20-25C. Can start to germinate in 10 days. Prick out and transplant.
Regardless of germination technique, its best to grow the seedlings in containers undisturbed for the first few years so strong bulbs/corms can form until planting into final position. Seat plants 10 cm deep. Group plantings look best. Do not water while dormant. Protect from wet winter soils through adequate drainage or capping the dormant plants via water redirecting mulch (like a gunnera cap) You will be rewarded.
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