How To Care For Amorphophallus Titanum

Posted by Shop Wildpretii on December 14, 2021

Watering: Amorphophallus Titanum love water while leafing and during their wet season in West Sumatra. They typically grow year-round with intermittent 'rest periods'. Water frequently during it's leafing cycle and during their wet season. Keep dry during their dry season and only water intermittently after the tuber has a chance to dry. Fertilize regularly for best results.

Soil: Amorphophallus Titanum, like many other Aroids, love to be in chunky soil. An ideal consistency for these types of plants is an approximate blend of 60/20/20 (Perlite/Sand/Coco Bark respectively).

pH: Because Amorphophallus Titanum grow on limestone hills in West Sumatra, they prefer a more basic soil pH. Limestone is a base. The main component of limestone is calcium carbonate, which has a pH of 9.9. It is important to measure the ph of your soil and consider adding lime to increase alkaline levels in the soil if necessary.

**It is worth noting that there are some additional great benefits of Lime for the soil. The include:

Lime acts to neutralize soil acidity, promotes the spread of good bacteria and enhances root absorption. Thus, supplying nutrients such as calcium, nitrogen, phosphorous, zinc and magnesium to the soil.
Supports healthy soil bacteria and microbes that are beneficial to maintaining healthy soil over time.
Raising the alkalinity of the soil helps the water to easily rehydrate the soil, thereby rehydrating your plant.

Note: It can take 6 months to a year before it has measurable pH levels.

**We offer a refined selection of potting medium curated for this specie. It includes a ph balanced mixture which is ideal for this specie. Additionally we add a rich mix of nutrients, including an instant release fertilizer, slow release fertilizer, fungicide as well as robust rooting inoculants to help keep this plant nourished all season long. Shop our specialized blends for this specie HERE!

**Do not underestimate how quickly these tubers can rot and infect the entire corm quickly and irreparably. It is more likely that one can lose a corm due to rotting, bacterial and/or viral fungi than dehydration.

Climate: Amorphophallus originate from West Sumatra. In West Sumatra, temperatures average between 72-82 degrees daily. There is a wet season (roughly Oct-Dec) and dry season (alternatively). During the dry season in West Sumatra, it is important to note that the average rainfall is between 3-5 inches. The downpours are typically shorter and less frequent. Therefore, allowing tubers to dry out between waterings during the dry season is ideal for this specie.

Amorphophallus grow on limestone hills. For this reason, these tubers can rot very easily with very rich organic soil (especially during their dry season and/or resting period).

In cultivation, while Titanums are leafing, they typically aren’t too fussy about the soil they grow in as long as it has good drainage. During the dry season, on the other hand, they are very particular and need extremely porous soil. Titanums have a ‘resting’ period where they are not as active, but they are still growing, they are technically active year round (just not leafing). When actively leafing, they love a lot of water. Sometimes, it can be unpredictable whether a tuber will be resting on a wet or dry season; Therefore, it is safer to pot these in a porous mix year round. A chunky blend of 60/20/20 mix of Perlite/Sand/Coco bark respectively is what we use.

*The goal for Amorphophallus Titanum Car e is to keep these tubers hydrated without being consistently immersed in moisture during the dry season and/or resting period.

Sun: These specie prefer light to medium sun and a humid environment.

Treatment: When a soft spot is detected, carve out the soft infected areas up until you see only fresh flesh of the corm. Then brush over Sulfur Fungicide Powder and leave in a sunny area so the wound(s) can dry and scarify quickly. Be sure to keep away from potential pest infestations.

If you find that some spots are taking longer to dry and have any concerns whether it may still be compromised, carve back that area as quickly as possible and repeat the treatment process in that area. Once, the wounded areas are completely firm dry, the tuber can be returned to the soil.

About Amorphophallus Titanu m

Amorphophallus Titanu m has the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world. This specie is endemic to West Sumatra, a small Island west of Indonesia.

**Below are 2 maps that show Sumatra up close and Sumatra relative to nearby Southeastern Asian countries. For your convenience, we uploaded large images so you can zoom in.

Amorphophallus Titanum is also known as the Corpse flowe r or Titan Aru m. The odor of the Amorphophallus Titanum inflorescence is said to be similar to the stench of a rotting corpse. The titan arum's inflorescence can reach over 3 metres (10 ft) in height.

After blooming, the flower dies back and a single leaf, which reaches the size of a small tree, grows from the corm. The leaf grows on a somewhat green stalk that branches into three sections at the top, each containing many leaflets. The leaf structure can reach up to 6 m (20 ft) tall and 5 m (16 ft) across. Each year, the old leaf dies and a new one grows in its place. When the corm has stored enough energy, it becomes dormant for about four months. Then the process repeats.