Corpse Flower (lily Family)

Corpse Flower (lily Family) Care

Rafflesiaceae

What is the plant

The Rafflesiaceae are a family of rare parasitic plants comprising 36 species in 3 genera found in the tropical forests of east and southeast Asia, including Rafflesia arnoldii, which has the largest flowers of all plants. The plants are endoparasites of vines in the genus Tetrastigma (Vitaceae) and lack stems, leaves, roots, and any photosynthetic tissue.

Rafflesiaceae flowers mimic rotting carcasses in scent, color, and texture to attract their pollinators, carrion flies. For this reason, some flowers of the family Rafflesia are nicknamed "corpse flowers".

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

16°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

7 - 10

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
During active growth, monitor the moisture daily but water only if it feels too dry. Try to keep the potting mix consistently moist, but not soppy wet or bone dry. When the plant is in its resting period, cut back on the watering but do not let the soil dry out...it should be like a well-wrung sponge...just barely moist to the touch. We use the finger test here at Plant Delights Nursery...we stick our finger into the potting mix about 1.5 inches down and if our finger feels cool or moist, then we do NOT need to water. Signs that you are keeping your A. titanum too dry include a drooping leaf or a leaf with brown edges or a plant that enters a dormant phase after just a few months. Note that when the tuber gets large, the potting soil beneath it will tend to stay too dry unless you thoroughly soak the pot when you water.
Pruning
To improve their appearance, you should prune out any brown or yellow fronds.
Fertilizer
When the leaf is first expanding you can fertilize with a liquid fertilizer once per week (at the dose recommended on the package), and when the leaf is fully developed, fertilize with a high quality, slow release fertilizer. No need to feed your Titan Arum during its resting period.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Best grown in full sun to part shade.
Soil
Plant the tuber in moist, organic, well-drained soil, approximately 4” deep in late winter or very early spring. Its tuber must be well below the soil surface, to support the long leaf and flower.
Temperature
The ambient air temperature needs to be above 60 degrees.

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Container
Select a pot with good drainage that measures at least 4 inches.
Additional
Ingesting any plant in the lily family can result in poisoning. However, the Lilium and Hemerocallis genera lilies are the most dangerous for cats. Eating even a small amount of the plant will have a severe impact on a cat's system.
Popularity
10 people already have this plant 28 people have added this plant to their wishlists