From: "Julius Boos" ju-bo at email.msn.com> on 2001.04.30 at 02:25:20(6309)
Dear Friends,
I had the pleasure to visit and see all these true WONDERS of the Aroid
world at Fairchild Gradens yesterday, and must congratulate Craig for the
FANTASTIC job that he does with these amazing plants---what goes unsaid in
his modest notes to us is the obvious health of ALL the plants in his care,
and how they show their response to a little (?) extra care, love and
attention. I urge all of us who would strive to grow and bloom these
plants to pay CLOSE attention to his paper on their care an fert. in a
previous issue of Aroideana! This blooming of 'Mr. Stinky' for the second
time MAY be the first record of this, and dispells the misinformation
previously given in earlier publications that the tuber dies after blooming
only once. Not with Craig`s care! The 'bud' was about 30" tall, the
spadix beginging to emerge about 6" from the tightly furled spathe, the
attending cataphylls/bracts still holding tight to the exterior of all
structures.
The second 'miracle', the A. gigas' bloom is truly almost unbelievable, it
does not look real!! Towering above ones head, and crowned by a 4' spathe
and spadix (there is actually a sign saying 'Look Up!!" at it`s base!!!) it
appears to be the creation of someone`s twisted mind, an aroid freaks dream
or worst nightmare, a true devil`s flower!!!!. WHAT a beautiful bloom! I
am still experiencing chills at the memory! The A. haematospadix was
another one that I saw for the first time, it has a unique dark purple
spadix, and the smell was of bananna peels that have sat out overnight, not
at all unpleasant.
Unmentioned by the too-modest Craig is his collection of Dracontiums and
other rare aroids, one in particular worth the visit was a 12'+ specimen of
D. pitterii with two petioles! This is one of the two Central American
GIANT species, the other being Dracontium gigas, we have recently been lucky
to see photos of these in bloom from friends in Australia!!! Another was
a specimen of Cyrtosperma cuspidispathum, 8'+ tall,a huge (28"?)
purple-and-white-striped inflorescence! This plant was donated by Lynn
Hannon last year when it out-grew her green house!
Anyhow, all who can MUST visit Fairchild in Miami to see for themselves this
banquet for the senses so kindly provided by Craig, congrats again, my
friend!
Sincerely,
Julius
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>>Mr. Stinky Returns
This morning it was discovered that our famous FG 931146B Amorphophallus
titanum, a.k.a. Mr. Stinky, is in the process of blooming. The inflorescence
in currently 24" tall but the white spadix can only be seen by carefully
opening the scape bract. Starting next week there will be regular updated to
Fairchild Garden's web site with daily measurements. There will be new
photos added over the course of the Titans development. Keep tuned for
further developments. Titan Watch begins in earnest!
Amorphophallus gigas: the huge inflorescence had its most fragrant day
yesterday. It will begin to deteriorate over the next several days.
Amorphophallus haematospadix opened up. It isn't huge but it is very
beautiful.
Amorphophallus prainii: a second smaller flower opened up yesterday
Craig M. Allen
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.ftg.org
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