From: Kiehlmann at gmx.de on 2002.11.24 at 17:37:36(9637)
I like to underline what Julius Boos has written.
About 12 years ago we ( my and I ) began with growing of Amorphophallus-
species first of all exclusively from SE-Asia. We had no knowledge of the
cultivation . But we had personal knowledge of the climatic conditions in
Malaysia and Sumatra, because we had made several trips to these countries.
It was out of the question that a dry period would be necessary.
And the Amorphos ( 3 forms or species? of the Am.beccarii-complex, Am.
manta ) grew well, went dormant individually and bloomed a.s.o. without
any dry period. We handled Am. prainii and especially a small specimen of
Am. titanum and of Am. gigas in the same manner without difficulties untill
today. The 2 latter species grow well but slowly, because we cultivate all
species indoors exclusively under inevitably relatively moderate temperature
conditions. One specimen of Am. prainii went dormant in humid soil for
3 years after blooming.
Even African species like Am. johnsonii and Am. eichleri, and Anchomanes
dalzielei also, grow and bloom without a dry period, though these species
originate from countries with distinct dry periods.
The advantage of a dry period seems to be the induction of synchronisation
of growth and especially of blooming for several specimen of the same
species. But this is not valid for all Amorphophallus-species.
Dietmar Kiehlmann
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