Plant trade: the long type

If you've been reading for a while, you know that I love trading plants with people through the mail. Sometimes the trade is for specific plants, but often times "surprise" plants are included.  Earlier this year I traded Amorphophalus "babes" with another bamboo grower and plant lover (Steve). I sent him Amorphophallus konjac, and he sent me an Amorphophallus titanum seedling among other things. A. konjac is dead simple to grow, and I actually had it showing up unexpectedly in other pots this year, but A. titanum is apparently more fussy.

They're especially fussy when they get ripped out of the pot by a squirrel or raccoon -- my seedling was probably 8" tall and doing quite well until it was unintentionally harvested. But the other day Steve surprised me by sending me an unexpected package.

***

The fact that my A. titanum didn't survive bothered him, so he sent me a couple of more seedlings to finish the trade that had actually started six months ago (or more).

These are large seeds indeed, maybe the size of an almond.

So I potted them up...

...and set them under the grow lights, slightly shaded by the other plants. Steve thinks that these might do best in bright shade, or strongly-filtered light.

It may be several years before these reach blooming size, but I'm glad to have the chance to try growing them again -- grateful to Steve for giving me another shot!

I'll definitely be keeping these where the critters can't get to them...

.