Description

Amorphophallus is a species of plant suited to the dedicated aroid collector and not for the typical home gardener. They are striking subjects, however, for warm and sub-tropical areas, warm greenhouse borders and large containers. Bulbifer is an easily grown species with an urn like spathe of medium size. At maturity from an 8cm diameter tuber, it will produce an olive green with paler spotted leaf stalk up to 1metre tall. The leaf blade will also grow to 1metre wide, divided into 3 sections, often with cormlets produced at the junctions of the ribs. In spring, the 10 to 15cm long green spathe is spotted rose on the exterior and reddish at the base, rose to red on the exterior; stem of inflorescence brown with greyish spots. The spadix is pink and greenish. A highly interesting plant to grow and look at, but don’t expect a lovely fragrance from the flower!

Cultivation

A tropical or warm glasshouse environment is required as the plant requires warmth and is frost tender. Plant at least 1metre apart in a sheltered, humid position in deep, fertile, loose, organic rich soil. The soil must be kept very moist and well watered in the summer growing season. An ideal liquid fertilizer can be made and applied by filling a hessian sack with cow manure and soaking this in water until it is the colour of weak tea. After the foliage dies back in autumn, the tuber should be kept fairly dry but still slightly moist. In colder climates the tubers can be lifted and stored over winter. Amorphophallus has no specific pest or disease problems.