Need info on gunnera manicata

[jdkline]

Thank you for all info. Now I'm considering getting a gunnera too. I love the look of the leaves. But dont know if I can find one. I saw one about a month ago but I would bet its not there now. LOL My astilboid has not come up yet. I"m still hoping though. LOL
Deb

[jdkline]

Garden guy are your pics of your pond and gardens in the gallery here? I just wanted to take a peek.
Deb

[GARDEN GUY]

Go to Photo Gallery and search "Japanese Garden Photos".
Hope that you like them, I'm not done yet....more additions this summer....if it ever gets here.lol
I have never heard of an "astilboid" before...can you grow it from seed?

[jdkline]

I saw the pics of your garden and pond. It looks great. Nice job!! The plant that was suggested to me earlier in this post instead of gunnera was astilboids tabularis. From what I'm told, yes you can grow it from seed but takes a while to get a good clump of it. If you look back in this post, you will see a link for it. Or just google and look for it. It's a pretty impressive plant too that gets white flowers. Its something like gunnera but hardy in my zone.
Deb

[GARDEN GUY]

Hello to all
I just checked the Gunnera and it has made it through the winter. I believe that if I can grow one in zone 5, that anyone can grow one as well.
I located a site that sells them at a very reasonable price http://www.directgardening.com/detail.asp?pid=7748
They usually sell for over $50.00 elsewhere.
Give it a try.....but you must give heavy winter protection to be successful, as mentioned previously.
It is a fantastic plant to own!
Take care and good luck.
Gary
Nova Scotia

[zuzu's petals]

Wow! Zone 5!! Well done, Gary!
Did you say that you used the Gunnera's own leaves to mulch it?
Is that all you used or did you also add additional material?

[GARDEN GUY]

First I cut off all of the stems at the base, inverted the leaves over the crown then I piled about 3ft of dry straw and covered with a large tarp. You take a "peek" about the 2nd week of April (depending on the temps) and them keep it uncovered during the day and cover every night till frost has passed. Yes, it is a bit of work but well worth it in the long run. I believe that anyone can grow one if a little effort is used.
I hope to post a few photos of my gardens in the next few days.
Take care
Gary

[GARDEN GUY]

Hi
Sorry it took so long but I just posted a couple of photos including my Golden Chain Tree, my favorite. They are posted under "My Gardens'
Take care
Gary

[jdkline]

I want to thank you again for the info you gave on the gunnera. I did get one from a trade from someone here on plant swap. Its just getting leaves now and I cant wait to see how big it gets. Now, I need to look at your new pics. I really liked your japanese garden and pond. Its really awesome.
Thanks again,
Deb

[GARDEN GUY]

Great!!!!! you will love it, just remember to cover it with at least 3ft of straw and a tarp late in the fall. Do not hesitate if you have any questions.
Take care
Gary

[jdkline]

Oh, trust me, I will probably ask and you will be the guy to ask. LOL
I'll take pics later when its growing so everyone can see it.
Thanks again,
Deb

[maryataylor]

I just got a gunnera also from trade, I am in zone 9, and was wandering if the plant will survive just one freeze or frost or what will I need to do to protect it for just a day of two? I have wanted one for so long I would he so heart broken if I loose it for just one night of freeze next year.

[GARDEN GUY]

Hi there
I grow mine in zone 5 (where "they" say it will NOT grow) so you should have little problem growing one. If you know you are going to have frost then just cover it with a blanket.....it will be fine. Mine came from a lady in zone 4.
Now, since you are in zone 9 you will have the opposite problem than most, you have to keep it wet at all times and put it in an area where it will have "some" shade, not much, so it won't burn from the sun. Also they are huge feeders....I have found liquid fish fertilizer to work great and if you have a pond or aquarium, when cleaning the filter or the tank, use the "fish water" on the plant....it will love it!
If you have any other questions, do not hesitate....I will answer all that I can.
Good luck and Take care
Gary
Nova Scotia
CANADA

[GARDEN GUY]

Hi
Could you guys send a photo of your Gunnera.....I have been hearing that people have been been selling "Giant Rhubarb" as Gunnera....the Giant Rhubarb gets to 3-4ft but not near as huge as the Gunnera. If the sprouting leaf is red, and appears from a dark brown rhizome, then it is the giant rhubarb. The Gunnera starts out with a dark lime colored leaf that pokes out of a pinky red crown.
Hope that I am wrong....
Take care
Gary

[jdkline]

I uploaded a pic to photobucket. Heres the link

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSCN2285.jpg

Please have a look and tell me what you think. I think mary and I got ours from the same person. She did not say that it was gunnera manicata, just dinosaur food plant. So, maybe it isnt but I sure am hoping that it is. If that pic is not good enough I have one more I can upload. You should be able to click on it and it will enlarge, I think. LOL
Thanks
Deb