Hi Andapanda, I live in Northern California, near San Jose. This plant was outside all winter and our winter temps are right on the edge of being able to kill it off (its minimum is supposed to be 28 F). We don't get too hot in the summer, usually only 80 during the day, 55 at night. I understand a lot of people grow these in the South. This is a picture of my plant on Saturday; one flower mostly closed up but another opened this morning. As far as the kiwi, 'Issai' is special in a couple respects. It is smaller than both most hardy or fuzzy kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa). The latter in particular is a real monster. It is also somewhat self-fertile, so that you don't need a male plant. So with one small plant, we can fit it into a much smaller space than two big plants. And we don't have much space. So that's the only kiwi I'm interested in. In terms of pollination for your plant, I understand the larger fuzzy kiwis are just as good as one of the smaller hardy males. The only thing is they have to bloom at the appropriate time for there to be pollen (although I imagine there's a way to save some...). I also remember reading that you'd have to wait at least a year for a rooted cutting to bloom. I've never personally rooted them, but I'm under the impression it's pretty easy. If water alone doesn't work, you might want to consider some sort of mix of perlite and/or vermiculite and/or peat. I'm sure there are all sorts of recipes on line and everyone has their favorites. I like either pure perlite, perlite + vermiculite or perlite + peat. I'm trying to trade the rooted cuttings I have right now for a couple very specific things, but the Aristolochia vines grow fast and I'll be taking more cuttings (probably quite a few) in the next few months. So if you're interested in a cutting--rooted or unrooted, depending on what I have, check back in 2 or 3 months. Actually, since I don't give my "normal" email address out here, if you think you might be interested it's probably best to drop a note now to my plant only address--I look at that pretty infrequently most of the time. It is: looking4plants@yahoo.com Then you can contact me their in the future. By the way, if you think this flower is big, there is a variety of this plant--usually it's considered its own species these days: Aristolochia gigantea var. brasiliensis or Aristolochia brasiliensis. Unfortunately I don't have that plant.

I have a 15 bulb plant that was very sick. I put it under high grade fluorescent tubes in coconut husk/sponge rock mix (60%-40%)and have kept it moist. The plant is very, very happy and is putting out new growth all over the place. Its' growth seems to show this as a 'mounting' type of plant so I am going to remove a medium size division and mount it where it will get a daily shower. I'll keep you informed how this works out. Dennis

Lori, are you coming to the Plant Swap on Sunday at Cheryl's ? I'm bringing a bunch of rooted cuttings Begonia, Salvia,Tampa Verbain,Bloodleaf, purslane, sanchezia, brazilian red-hots, pentas, also hens and chickens......also some Papaya fruit ready to eat .... sally

Eric, if you have a problem getting plants, I have always have had very good luck with seeds. Warm, moist conditions with bright light will get them out in a couple weeks. I've grown about a half-dozen similar species (but not Aristolochia galeata). All perished 2 years ago when the g-house froze. The only one left, planted outside, is the native one. My favorites were gigantea (spooky blooms) and elegans (very floriferous).