dead horse plant, how nice.

[Thyroyalgeek]

so anyways, got one from pdn nursery (plants delights, awesome place btw.) and it was just a corm which hasn't come out of dormancy yet, but the anticipation of it is killing me. anyone grow these? growth tips are quite welcome, I know they're from the Mediterranean, are a little bit trickier than you're average aroid, and don't like a whole lotta heat. I'd like some more info on them, not too much on the web, from what I hear they're not too common...…..

---------- Post added at 06:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:13 PM ----------

it always posts a double thread! anyone know how to fix this?

[Leafmite]

Probably the best way to figure out how to grow this is to learn from where it comes and then look up the average temperatures and rainfall of that area (it helps to use the nearest city), then try to get an idea of what type of soil the location has. I have had to do this with many of the odd plants that I have acquired when there just wasn't much information how to grow them. Good luck with it!

[Thyroyalgeek]

oh ok thanks. can't believe I've never thought of that what a great idea!

[AnonYMouse]

You might even consider telling us what it is.

---------- Post added at 03:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:01 PM ----------

Mea culpa!

I thought the title was a typo!

[u bada]

wow what a cool plant, never heard of it. Quick research, it seems happiest in a climate like san francisco. 50's winters when dormant, 80's highs in summer... But looks like it should have sprouted already in spring... plant delights didn't tell you any tips?

[Thyroyalgeek]

sorry, anon Y Mouse, its a plant.

---------- Post added at 05:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:24 PM ----------

all jokes aside, its helicodiceros muscivorus, with a flower that quite resembles the anus of a pig! complete with the smell, hairy texture, and limp tail-like spadix that completes the utter curiosity. behind the endearing flower is a very interesting pocket where pollination takes place, its difficult to describe, so google it to get a better context of what i'm talking about. also the flower only opens on HOT days, so the stench can waft directly over to you're annoying next-door neighbors house. simply delightful!

[estación seca]

There is information about it on the Web site of the Pacific Bulb Society. From the page I gave above, look for Photos and then the genus, Helicodicerous.

Go back to the page I gave above and click on List. That takes you to their discussion archives. Navigate to May 2011 and page through the discussion. You will find quite a bit of growing information from people all over the world.

It's a late winter-early summer grower from Mediterranean islands that get minimal summer water, when it's dormant. Don't just plop the tuber in soil, water heavily and put it outside now. That will likely lead to it rotting. People in summer-dry climates do well with it, but hot and humid summers present problems.

[Thyroyalgeek]

thanks estacion, so from what I got, its a little similar to my arisaemas in care, (differing mostly in light tolerance). so I guess i'll keep them with the rest of the non-tropical aroids out in my unheated greenhouse, and they SHOULD come up in feb-apr, depending on whether we get 75 degrees in January then 30 degrees 3 days later. (our climate tricks plants into coming up early so then it can smash em' to pieces . although one guy said his came up in October . it seems that the people who exposed them to chilly temps got more blooms so I think that's what i'll do. thanks all!

[estación seca]

You have a small tuber. Note one person in that discussion said an 18" / 45cm pot is too small for a blooming-sized tuber. Elsewhere he said it grows very rapidly.

Mine never sprouted until it was good and hot, and only leafed out for a few weeks. It dwindled away over time and never came back. I think my climate is just too hot during its growing season.

When it's happy it offsets prolifically. If you take good care of it in the coming years, you'll have plenty to trade here for orchids.

[Thyroyalgeek]

so things to note: large pot size, and don't let them get TOO hot, although a little is fine. my tuber is terribly tiny, like 2", so it'll definitely be a while. It does have quite a few offsets though.