Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum)
Corpse Flower is the
largest and most unusual
flower in the world. It’s found
in botanical gardens that
specialize in rare and unusual
plants. The impressive and
massive size makes it one of
the rarest plants we have ever
offered to Logee’s customers.
Only the patient gardener will
want to try this one, for it can
take up to 7 years to bloom. It
is estimated there are only 3-5
blooming plants in cultivation
each year, worldwide. The
plant’s foundation is an underground
tuber, or corm, that
supports a petiole with palmlike
leaves. Each year, the petiole
and leaves go dormant;
it wilts and rots away. Below
the soil surface, the corm
rests for a month or two then
sends up a new, larger petiole
and leaves. When the corm
reaches 40-50 pounds, it’s ready to bloom. It sends up a pod that swells and elongates
for about a month. A long spadix emerges from the top of the pod. Finally the bloom
opens in mid-afternoon usually to lots of festivities and celebration due to the rare
nature of the flower. When blooming, the flower releases a carrion odor to attract
pollinators. Corpse Flower will need to be repotted several times before it blooms. It’s
best to wait until dormancy at the end of the year to repot. Then the potting soil is
washed from the corm and it’s placed in a new, larger pot. If you’re a plant geek who
loves a challenge with the opportunity of a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime outcome, you’ll
want to try your luck growing this rare plant.