If you dig tubers to store them when they go dormant, do not wash them off. This can often lead to rot because it removes protecting organisms from the tuber surface. Just dry them and then shake off any adhering soil.
The Obsession Grows
Until this summer, my interest in Amorphophallus was fairly casual. I enjoyed my ever expanding clump of A. konjac, but did not pursue the genus.
Life changed during a trip to Raleigh, NC for the IAS Summer Extravaganza; the fact that there were other species with even more marvelous stems whacked me between the eyes. Of course, I came back with some examples.
The stems in the front pot in this image belong to A. bulbifer and the ones in the rear pot are those of A. paeoniifolius. I also acquired A. dunnii, who went dormant before I could photograph its stem (which is nice, but not as spectacular as these two).
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius
The stems of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius are, to my eye, the most fabulous of all that I've seen.
My new baby does not hint that it can, one day, put up a petiole like a tree trunk, about eight feet tall (2.43 m) and five inches in diameter (13 cm), sporting a single, multi-divided leaf blade that creates a massive canopy of dark green foliage.
As one comment I've read indicated...if you've got a conservatory and want the feeling of sitting under a palm tree, grow A. paeoniifolius.
You can see two stems in this image. This signifies that mine is a mere child; adult plants will only produce one as a rule.
Known as elephant yam and suran, this is an edible (the tuber) vigorous species, with many synonyms, the most common being A. campanulatus. Other synonyms are:
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This close-up of the petiole reveals the amazing texture...and the image does not do the stem justice; it is simply breath-taking.
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