Re: [aroid-l] Titanum at National Botanic Garden, Washinton, D.C.

From: "Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden" htbg at ilhawaii.net> on 2003.07.22 at 19:11:41(10425) Michael, The time it takes for the plant to is very much up to the environment in which it is grown, I think. In my personal garden at home, I have just (last week) flowered a Titan that was only five years old from seed. It is planted in the ground, in a well drained site, receiving full sun for about an hour mid-day and otherwise in dappled shade. The total height of the inflorescence was just over four feet; so it was a small example of the potential. The tuber was never dug up to check on the condition or size of the corm. +More Interestingly, the spathe opened quite rapidly during the evening of July 17th. With great anticipation I awaited the infamous stench... but, that never occurred. Quite to my surprise, the spathe closed back up around the spadix late the following afternoon! Prying open the spathe, I found copious quantities of pollen had been shed over the receptive stigmas and a heavy layer of pollen lay in the bowl at the bottom of the spathe. It appears to have selfed! Again, much to my dismay! This event was not announced as I did not want a stampede to my door and I rather feared that the "stink" may blow my cover. Thanks for small blessings! Scott > Is 10-year old about the "normal" age for a first flowering of Amorphophallus > titanum? > Michael Riley in NYC > (looking at his 3 year old young'un standing 5' tall in an 8" pot, only 2' > from the HID light and wondering when to evict the upstairs tenant.) > >

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