Titan Watch 4/10/2001

From: "Craig Allen" callen at fairchildgarden.org> on 2001.05.10 at 21:17:27(6414) Titan Watch 4/10/2001: The Amorphophallus titanum inflorescence reached 68 inches Wednesday morning, 5 more than Tuesday. By 8 PM it had only reached 69". This Thursday morning it had reached only 70". I was a little disappointed. I was hoping it would pass 6 foot this morning. The top edge of the spathe is beginning to loosen and the reddish color is intensifying. Just like 1998 I'm getting jumpy. I worry that it will bloom before my time estimate. I down loaded all my notes from 1998's blooming for a bit of research. When I compared the development of both blooms it calmed me down a bit. ..of course, now I can panic that my May 14-16 estimate might be premature. I think the anticipation is getting to me. A. bulbifer: a 3rd inflorescence is blooming. Instead of the sweet smell of the fully open flower I was surprised yesterday by a vile odor evident 100 feet away. Today it has that light cantaloupe odor. Craig M. Allen +More Conservatory Manager Fairchild Tropical Garden 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables(Miami), Florida, USA 33156-4296 Tel. 305-667-1651 ext. 3320 Fax 305-661-8953 e-mail callen@fairchildgarden.org web: www.fairchildgarden.org

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