Hi, Yep, it can be grown in a container.....but a big one!! I've got a few of mine in a large terra cotta pot....20 inch I believe.....3 bulbs in there not counting babies. Last year one of them flowered in the pot. I was told that there was just no way, but hey, if you do not try you do not succeed. I use a mix of typical potting mix (Miracle Grow) and pine bark (sold as soil conditioner (1:1 mix). This drains very well and holds plenty of moistuer....what they want. It must be kept in shade....they do not want direct sun. As for witer storage, that might be a bit warm.....Mine are kept in the unheated garage (gets down to around 40 on incredibly cold nights) and this might be a bit warm as they are already completely leafed out and so I have to shuffle them in and out on warm days/cold nights. For the sake of your back you want to be able to keep them dormant a bit longer than this if possible. They make many babies also, so overpot to give the babies some room.

I'm not sure what catalogue you are looking at, but it is almost too late to ship these so order soon if you are going to. Also, you should be able to buy a serious size bulb (1-2 yrs. from flowering) for say $12-13 with a bit of looking so please do not buy for these stupid prices that some places charge. They are sometimes available on ebay as well. The leaf looks like a rather lax Hosta by the way....not that impressive, but hey, it is the flower spike ya want anyway. In my opinion you should absolutely go for it :o) Dan

Thanks, Dan. I did find a site with overwintering info for many different bulbs including C.g. which implied it needs colder temps, as you said. I may try keeping one in the garage which gets pretty cold but is fairly even in temperatures.

The only other thing I would recommend is that they be kept slightly damp as well over the winter.....they can not be stored completely dry, despite what some sellers say during the winter or they will dessicate. The first ones I ever bought a few years back I was told to put them in the fridge until spring.....total dessicated junk by spring. Now, when I get new imports I put them in barely damp pine bark for the winter until I pot up or plant out in the spring. The ones that are already potted up I water perhaps once a month along with my bonsai, etc. in the garage to maintain some mositure and they do fantastic. As long as your garage does not get so cold that the pot freezes you are fine. They can take cold to zone 6 (in my yard anyway), but a forzen pot would be disasterous. Best of luck....they are awesome in bloom :o) Dan

Cardiocrinum foliage can be pretty cool but it always looks ratty by then end of summer.

{{gwi:7312}}

How deep of a container do you need? Is it a case of the deeper, the better? I have ordered a Cg bulb from McClure and Zimmerman and am eager to start it growing. Would an unheated porch work well for overwintering the Cg?

Temps just below freezing is what I use. On z8b they start growing in February before freeze safe. So it would be just above freezing at ground level.

We have two kinds, std and Yunnan variety. To get over 9' they need more light than shown here. Yes beautiful glossy leaves!

This Yunnan variety bloomed well in the tub we used to transfer it to a our new yard.