4+ pound Amorphophallus Konjac corms!

[tommyr]

Just got these yesterday! Planted one. I have 2 small half dollar sized ones going too. Great plants!

 

[seedjar]

Mmm, I love potatoes.
Nice pics. Is that bigger one putting out a second growth point?
~Joe

 

[tommyr]

Mmm, I love potatoes.
Nice pics. Is that bigger one putting out a second growth point?
~Joe

Kind of looks like it, not sure though at this stage.

 

[seedjar]

I always thought that they formed new points through tuber budding. I guess there would be some variability among species, though. Good luck with them.
~Joe

 

[tommyr]

I always thought that they formed new points through tuber budding. I guess there would be some variability among species, though. Good luck with them.
~Joe

Thanks, I'm new to these plants!

 

[larry]

Good lord that is huge!!! I just bought some 2+ pounders, hope they flower next year.

 

[cp-connection]

dolla bills!!!

 

[tommyr]

Good lord that is huge!!! I just bought some 2+ pounders, hope they flower next year.

Well, not huge but big. There are pics on the net of MUCH larger ones! 20+ pounders!

 

[larry]

Have you come across any good growing guides? For such a popular plant, there seems to be very little information about growing them. I'm particularly interested in the soil mix people use.

 

[tommyr]

Basically a good draining mix with some organic matter for a little moisture retention.

Google is your friend!

http://www.snowsexotics.com/tubers.htm

http://www.geocities.com/inthedirt86/amorphophallus2.html

http://www.nsexotics.com/servlet/the-template/amorphophalluscare/Page

 

[swords]

What is "Pine Soil Conditioner" mentioned on the NS exotics site? I've never heard of that.

My Amorphophallus tubers always rotted in peat + perlite. If I get anymore I'm going to go light on the peat and ensure very good drainage probably 50% Napa grit and 50% peat clods. My Sinningia and Scilla bulbs seems to be doing good with this kind of mix.

What I hate about Amorphos is their strong attraction to light. One friend who came over years ago said of the Amorphos on the patio "what are they all pointing at?"

 

[tommyr]

What is "Pine Soil Conditioner" mentioned on the NS exotics site? I've never heard of that.

My Amorphophallus tubers always rotted in peat + perlite. If I get anymore I'm going to go light on the peat and ensure very good drainage probably 50% Napa grit and 50% peat clods. My Sinningia and Scilla bulbs seems to be doing good with this kind of mix.

What I hate about Amorphos is their strong attraction to light. One friend who came over years ago said of the Amorphos on the patio "what are they all pointing at?"

Not sure what "Pine Soil Conditioner" is personally. You could use a well draining potting MIX (not soil) and extra perlite or orchid bark mix for example to improve drainage. Since I'm new to Amorphs I will experiment a bit as I get baby corms off the 4 pounders. None of those have actually sprouted yet, should be ANY day now! My smaller ping pong ball sized corms are 12-18" tall and look great right now.

Here is my first one almost opened all the way:

<a href="http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h183/tommyr2006/Plants/?action=view&current=AmorphKonjac_1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h183/tommyr2006/Plants/AmorphKonjac_1.jpg" border="0" alt="Amorph. Konjac"></a>

 

[Clue]

Only ten days or so, and it's already looking good.

 

[larry]

Any more pics of how big they've grown?

 

[tommyr]

My 4 pounders are now about 7-8 inches high a month after planting them. It's been a cool and really wet spring here this year. Photo shortly...

 

[tommyr]

Update: Here is one of those corms as of this morning. [sniff] they grow up so fast...... [sniff].....

<a href="http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h183/tommyr2006/Plants/?action=view&current=AmorpKonjacMe.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h183/tommyr2006/Plants/AmorpKonjacMe.jpg" border="0" alt="Amorph Konjac"></a>

 

[JRFxtreme]

Very nice Amorphophallus! I had a T. venosum (spelling?) flower for the first time this year. It smelled exactly like elephants.

 

[CPBlake]

Tommy,

I have a young Konjac tuber and I have been waiting over six months for the small bud to do start to grow. Did you do anything to induce growth such as a cool temperature exposure??

Blake

 

[tommyr]

Tommy,

I have a young Konjac tuber and I have been waiting over six months for the small bud to do start to grow. Did you do anything to induce growth such as a cool temperature exposure??

Blake

No. I just planted it and watered well then waited for it to grow up and over the soil surface.