Roscoea schneideriana

[Gabriela]

A nice surprise earlier in the week to find a Roscoea - from AGS seedex 2014 with the first flower and true to name - R. schneideriana!
From all the Roscoeas I grew from seeds, this one was the least I expected to come true. I still have to ID the Roscoea 'non-narrow leaf tibetica' of last year.

It is a very distinct species, but still misnamed in the trade so I'll post two images. It doesn't look much for now being a very young plant but it will get gorgeous. Easy to notice: the particular hooked stigma and the white & round anther appendages.

 

[Robert G]

Hi Gabriela,

It looks beautiful. Do you grow it or other Roscoeas in the ground or in containers? Are they outside for the winter? This is a strange question for most in the forum I know, but I am curious. I struggle with them here outside of Ottawa.

[Gabriela]

Hi Robert,
I don't know if all would apply to your zone 4 but in Southwestern Ontario (zone 5 +/- depending) you can grow many of the Roscoea sp. in the ground, as long as there is a location with good drainage, a bit of slope is great. All these I have/had or seen grown in the ground here: R. auriculata, cautleyoides, purpurea, schneideriana, scillifolia, tibetica.
It is not the cold that kills them but the lack of drainage, just like with many Arisaema. Considering that they stay dormant for such long period of times and have fleshy underground organs makes sense.

As for the seedlings and very young plants (under 3 years) I grow them in pots that get overwintered in an unheated garage (the temp. can slide under -4C on occasions). Late in the fall is good to start protecting the pots from too much rain.
Late April-May I repot them in a fresh potting mix, and again like with potted Arisaema, I start watering when they start growing.

[Robert G]

Thank you Gabriela.

I suspected drainage was the key issue. For me the cold does kill, but I find with proper placement I have better luck with borderline material.
 I have poor winter drainage and have just created a couple pockets of well draining garden. I like the Arisaema comparision as I grow them and have had pretty good luck as long as I don't push hardiness too much.