Monday, October 15, 2012

In the category of flowers so large they're silly, relatively speaking of course... Stapelia gigantea

Hi,

It has been such a long summer.  So much for autumn, the heat waves roll on.  I really do want to blog... Sorry for being away for so long.  And for those of you who asked, yes I will be blogging about my trip to Europe.  :)

Sometimes plants bloom even when you neglect and de facto abuse them.  Put sun plants in shade, shade plants in sun, water the dry plants and dry out the water plants. You might think I don't like plants. And there is much justification in the name of testing and discovery.  This is the case of my Stapelia gigantea. Given to me  a while back from my friends Sue and James of The Folly Bowl, I did have every intention of integrating this succulent into the garden, but the spots in the garden keep shrinking. So there it sat on the side yard in partial shade nearly rotting in moist potting soil... for about a year and a half!  Why did I finally take pity on it and move it to the sun? Pity I guess.

So, seemingly out of spite it bloomed this week. I've been watching the pregnant podlike blooms swelling for quite a while, waiting waiting waiting.  Yesterday it happened the alien was swarmed with flies. Yup, carrion scented, just what you want in the garden. Still, its a keeper.

If you want a cutting, let me know.








6 comments:

  1. You get the award for longest title since the last Fiona Apple record. Pregnant podlike blooms that smell of dead meat -- I want one! Now, about that Dillon garden...

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  2. Why am thinking of Magda in 'Something About Mary' ?

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  3. OMG, this is awesome! I'll have to seek one out at the succulent/cactus show at the Arboretum in Arcadia next month! p.s. it's great to find out you neglected such a beauty, that's something I would do as well.

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  4. Would love a cutting! Let me know how... thanks for posting :)

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  5. That is truly a cool plant, nothing I could grow here but sure fun to look at.

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