Amorphophallus titanum flowering at Selby Gardens

From: SelbyHort at aol.com on 1999.05.10 at 21:22:38(3345) Here is a copy of our latest press release. The largest bud is now showing spathe and spadix through an opening in the outer sheaths and is about 35 inches tall, growing about 3-4 inches per day. Based upon flowering data from Fairchild Tropical Garden and Atlanta Botanical Garden, our largest bud should be open in about 10-12 days. The smaller may be up to a week later, so we are planning a pollination attempt. Stay tuned to our web site at: www.selby.org Donna Atwood Selby Gardens +More 8aa S. Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ COLOSSAL BOTANICAL SUPERSTARS PREPARE TO FLOWER AT MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS The Titan arum, or Amorphophallus titanum, considered by some to be the world?s largest flower, is rapidly developing its immense bloom at Selby Gardens. Sometime during mid-May, this bizarre behemoth of the plant world will unfold a frilled crimson pleated bud encasing a towering columnar spadix, rising from the center, ultimately reaching a predicted height of seven feet or more. This rare flowering event has only occurred 7 times during this century in the United States. It is a true botanical wonder! Over the next two weeks, the Titan Arum, known only from Sumatra but a close relative of the more familiar Jack-in-the-Pulpit, will vigorously unfurl its complex inflorescence composed of hundreds of individual male and female flowers. During this time, the bud will grow about 4 inches a day, but the full flowering will last only 48 hours, afterwards collapsing dramatically of its own weight. This event promises even greater titillation than all others of this kind, as Selby will have TWO of these magnificent monsters in bloom! Because all living organisms vary, both plants may not reach their peak flowering on exactly the same day. But this lapse of a few days between the critical point will allow Selby?s horticulturists an unprecedented opportunity to hand-pollinate one of the plants by transferring pollen from male flowers of one plant to female flowers of the other. Never before has the Titan Arum yielded seeds in cultivation, so this planned attempt, if successful, will be a first! Visitors can view the flowering giants in the trellis area just outside the doors of Selby?s Display House, beginning Thursday, May 6, 1999, from 10 AM to 5 PM daily, until the end of flowering which is predicted to be sometime around May 20-25. It is not yet certain exactly how long this amazing display will last, so visitors are advised to call 941-366-2815 for a recorded message with daily progress reports. For images and updates throughout the flowering event check Selby's web page at: www.selby.org

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