Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is grown for its edible tubers.

Tubers from Amorphophallus paeoniifolius used as food in large parts of the Old World tropics. The plant blooms annually with a large smelly, purple-red flower. The smell attracts insects that think it is meat while they pollinate the tuber calla.

Caring for Amorphophallus paeoniifolius

Plant Amorphophallus paeoniifolius in well-drained soil with perlite and bark. Knölkalla thrives best in indirect light and loves warmth. Let the soil dry out between waterings, and regular room temperature works great, just avoid drafts!

Origin

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, which belongs to the cold plant family and comes from tropical and subtropical Asia to northern Australia.

Appearance

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius looks like a tree with a trunk and branches but the whole plant is a single leaf. Amorphophallus has a camouflaged 'stem' to protect its large leaf as it is not really a stem but a stem. If the stem is damaged by a hungry herbivore, the whole plant is endangered.

Plant manner

The tuber calla grows from its tuber , which sends up a single large leaf or flower each year. Under the right conditions, this tuber calla can become a real giant . The leaf can reach up to two meters in height and becomes an exotic ornamental tree . When Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is not in bloom, it is this enormous leaf that takes over and gives the tuber calla its unique expression.

Proliferation

To propagate tuber calla, the tubers are mainly used. During the resting period of the tuber callus, you can carefully separate daughter nodules that form around the main tuber. These tubers are planted in well-drained soil and watered sparingly until growth begins. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius grows slowly.

Flowering

During the first day of flowering, the female flowers are receptive to pollen, and the strong smell attracts insects that are trapped inside the flower during the night. This allows the pollen on the insects to be transferred to the female flowers.

On the second day, the female flowers are no longer receptive, and the male flowers begin to produce pollen. The flower opens again, allowing the insects to carry pollen to other flowers. In this way, self-pollination and inbreeding are avoided.

The female flowers develop into red berries , while the rest of the flower withers. The berries, which are bright red when ripe, are slightly oval in shape. During flowering, the flower also emits heat to mimic a fresh carcass. Yikes!