Arisaemas
Arisaemas are members of the Aroid family characterised by a spathe and spadix as is found in our native Arum commonly known as Lords and Ladies. The spathe is the cowl shaped green outer part of the inflorescence the spadix is the upright projection which later holds the red berries.
Most varieties we sell are hardy and can be planted in the garden.
A well drained, humus rich soil at the base of trees or shrubs is ideal.
They must be planted deeply enough, so the tubers which remain over Winter are protected from frost. In time they should multiply by budding from the main tuber and produce a number of stems enhancing their garden value.
A collection may also be grown in pots. The treatment I use for these is to pot up in Spring using a free draining potting mix. Water very sparingly and keep under cover until a shoot appears. Then water more until plant is in full growth. Do not allow plant to totally dry out at this stage or it will induce early dormancy resulting in a smaller tuber next year. The longer they can be kept in growth the better they will be the following year.
From mid-Summer onwards they naturally go into dormancy,which is to go yellow and collapse. This is quite normal they have not died. They are then moved under cover and kept dry and frost free. To be re-potted next year.
