Not just for orchids

[kavanaru]

Tin, I assume you were speaking about Amorphophallus and the stability issue I mentionned The problem with Amorphophallus, is that the corm is larger that 25 cm (10 inches) diameter and the leaf is about 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall (I am speaking from Amorphophallus konjac, the one I have in Switzerland )... when the leaf grows and the corm disappears, you end up with a big empty cavity in the ground, surrounded by the roots, which take over the role of supporting this huge green monster. Therefore, if the ground is not stable enough, you end up with a leaf playing "Jack-in-the-box" or, even worst, lying on the floor... This happens once when using a very loose compost based soil (wanted to give the young plant a kick for faster growing ) and almost lost the plant - don't want the stress anymore...

My slogan with plants is "Either they adapt to my conditions or they have to leave!", however I try to give them conditions fair enough for the game... And giving Amorphophallus the right soil, is part of the fair game for me