Amorphophallus titanum - Cultivation/Propagation

From: "Chad E. Husby" <chusby at vt.edu> on 1998.09.16 at 02:52:17(2607) Dear Aroid Listmembers, I am new to this list and look forward to corresponding with fellow Aroid enthusiasts. I am absolutely delighted to report that I have just (as of yesterday) adopted a beautiful 6+ foot tall Amorphophallus titanum! The botany department greenhouse here at Virginia Tech (where I am horticulture graduate student) had two rather large A. titanums and they gave one away for lack of sufficient space. I was fortunate enough to be the recipient! Until now, the only Aroid species that I have grown is Amorphophallus konjac. I grew my plants from tubers a friend sent me last fall. My other plant growing experience has been with fern allies (Equisetum, Selaginella, and others), and various housplants. Hence, I am largely a neophyte with Amorphophallus. For the time being, I have placed my A. titanum in the greenhouse where I am doing my research. It is a glass greenhouse which has evaporative coolers along one wall. I placed the A. titanum on the side nearest the coolers. We are having a heatwave right now, but the air temperature does not seem to go above about 82ºF during the day or below 64ºF at night. However, the greenhouse receives a lot of direct sunlight and, although the greenhouse framework gives some dappled shade, I am concerned that the light may be too much for it. I have read in "The Cultivation of Amorphophallus" on the Aroid society webpage states that Amorphophallus prever protection from direct sunlight. My plant looks fine now, but it has only been in this greenhouse for a day. I have considered suspending a white sheet above it to reduce the sunlight and I would welcome any other ideas or suggestions from the list. The plant was originally growing iwas fiberglass and hence received only diffuse light. I would like to know whether A. titanum can be successfully grown as a houseplant because I do not know whether I will have access to a greenhouse after I graduate next spring. I would also like to know what sort of light and humidity levels it needs and what sort of growing media work best? It is presently growing in a pot which looks too small. I would like to move it into a larger one. Furthermore, I would be very interested to learn how A. titanum can be propagated vegetatively. Does it form offset tubers like A. konjac? I will be very grateful for any help that listmembers can give me. Sincerely Yours, Chad Husby +More ****************************************************************************= **** ********************************************************* * * * Chad Husby * * * * Office: 306-F Saunders Hall * * Department of Horticulture (0327) * * Virginia Tech * * Blacksburg, VA 24060 * * * * Home: 511 Warren St. SW, Apt. 8 * * Blacksburg, VA 24060 * * (540) 961-5811 * * * * e-mail: chusby@vt.edu * * * * * *********************************************************

From: Craig Smith <craigsmith at sprintmail.com> on 1998.09.16 at 05:23:57(2608) Chad, You are one lucky fellow. I've been trying to find a Titanum for several years with no luck. I have my A. Konjac in the direct sun in a very large pot and there is no problem if I water it adequately. I get good growth and 'flowers' every year on tubers over 1Kg. 5 last year. Someone on the list said that his A. Titanum made offshot tubers when it was in a relatively small pot (like yours). 'Flowers' can take a while. On my Konjac, I got a 7 1/2 foot 'flower' after about 5 years from a 13 pound tuber. That's the biggest one I've gotten. When the leaf dies back you might look in the soil like in the Konjac and see if any have formed. [If they have, I'd be glad to trade you a 'flowering size' Konjac for a Titanum tuber.] In any case, I'd just make sure you water and feed it enough and it should be happy. I used to have a small greenhouse but now I have to dig it out of the large pot every year. But that gives me a chance to collect the babies. I give them to friends and local botanical groups to sell - I put them in plastic bags with a list of directions. Regards, Craig Smith in upstate New York.

From: Craig Smith <craigsmith at sprintmail.com> on 1998.09.18 at 15:40:04(2611) Chad, Did you get any replies to your inquiry???? BTW, I pot up my A. Konjacs in a mix of compost (a mix of sawdust with the remains of the brewing process which is sold here as "All Grow") and some perlite and some potting soil. They grow just fine. It holds the moisture without being soggy and is light enough for good air flow. Craig

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