Thought I would add this page because I get lots of emails with questions

(I am not an expert. The answers to these questions have been researched but are not meant to be the only way to care for your plants. Personal experience and asking someone that lives in your hardiness zone is important)

I am just beginning my collection. Which species are the easiest to grow?

If you meet all the requirements, many of them are easy to grow. I started with A. konjac, A. bulbifer and A. paeoniifolius.

My plant is coming out of dormancy. When should I put it in a pot with dirt?

You could wait if you wanted. Dry dormancy species can thrive with no light or dirt. Some people, including myself think that they will grow better in soil.

I have an Amorphophallus can you identify it ?

Until your plant flowers, even the experts will have a hard time identifying them.

I don't have a tall greenhouse. Are there any smaller Amorph species available?

Pygmaeus, saururus, verticillatus, obscurus, yuloensis, prainii, paeonniifolius, lambii are mostly low growing species suitable for a shorter growing space.

How do I store my plants when they are in dormancy?

That would depend on which species you have. Please purchase Aroideana #19 or see the "dormancy storage" page on this site.

My plant has a bunch of places where it has new growths. Is this normal?

I had an A. salmoneus that had 6 growth points at the same time. I would guess your plant is happy and healthy.You either have only one tuber in the pot or there may be several.

Do I water my tubers when they are dormant?

My Group II tubers which are to be stored in the soil get little if any water during dormancy. I do take a spray bottle and lightly dampen the top of the soil once a month.

I just bought an Amorph tuber. Will it bloom?

Again, it depends on what species it is and what it feels like doing. Chances are better if the tuber is a large one. Some species have been known to bloom at only an inch or two.

Part of my tuber is rotten. Can I save it?

I received a tuber from China that was partially rotten and I treated it with powdered sulfur from Home Depot. It worked well but I researched it before I attempted treatment. See treating rotted tubers on this site or ask another collector.

My tuber seems to be all dried up. Can I save it?

Desiccated tubers may be saved if they are caught soon enough. If it is a dried up piece of nothing, it can't be saved. If the tuber is a bit dried out, don't throw it away. Put it in some soil immediately and moisten the top of the soil. Cross your fingers and see what happens. You have nothing to lose at this point.

Is my plant going dormant or dying?

This dormancy process can be a scary one if you are new to collecting. Chances are, it is going into dormancy or just getting ready to put up a new leaf. Don't remove the old leaf until it is ready to fall off by itself. When the leaf does fall completely, you can gently remove the dirt from the top of tuber and check for any softness or rot.

How much light does my plant need in the winter?

I use an ordinary florescent lightbulb. I don't use any fancy grow lights. They are expensive and unnesessary if you ask me. Make sure the plant isn't directly under or touching the light as it may burn. Mine is about 16" from the top of my plants. These lights also help keep the room warmer.

Can you eat Amorphophallus?

This tuber of this species contains Oxalic Acid and may burn your hands when not using gloves. I wouldn't want to eat something that chemically burnes my hand. Amorphophallus konjac is a main staple in some Japanese dishes but it is processed professionally. Expert advice is recommended!

I'm in US zone 6 and I have questions.

I am in zone 9b and our climates and conditions are completely different. Because our zones are so different, you should speak with someone from your own zone or close to it. Please visit , Gardenweb , Amorph Group or join the International Aroid Society to meet other Amorphers.

My tuber is about 4" in diameter. What size pot should I use?

If your tuber is 4", your pot should be about 8" to allow for growth. Crowding the tuber probably won't kill it but it can deform it. Why take the chance.

When should I plant my tuber?

Plant it when you want. If it is a Group II tuber, it most likely needs to be in the dirt all the time. This last winter I put all of my tubers in soil for dormancy. I figure it can't hurt as long as you don't keep them too moist.

When will my plant go into dormancy?

It depends which species it is. My A. titanum hasn't gone dormantin the a year-and- a- half Iv'e had it. Some titans never have a dormancy. There are a few other species that may not go dormant. Most of mine go dormant when the weather begins to cool down. You can't force them into or out of dormancy. No matter what, you need to check them every few weeks if you have them stashed in your closet....they may be a surprize.

How much should I spend?

Again, what species are you interested in? The more common species should not go for much depending upon the size of the tuber. The rarer species will be more expensive. If you purchase on EBay, the prices are pretty competitive and you can get some good deals.

Do Amorphophallus have pests?

IAS I found a few mealy bugs on my A. corrugatus. They were removed by hand with a q-tip and alcohol. I haven't had a problem since. You should check for pests every time you water.

How much should I water my Amorphs?

I use a moisture meter and my finger to check the soil. Because trusting only a faulty meter can be the cause of death for your plants, you should check with your finger also. I don't water until the soil 2" down is barely moist. In the winter I water much less or I have to deal with rotted tubers. It depends where you live, humid, dry, cold....all of these are determining factors for how much water they will need. Don't baby them!

A wierd bump is growing on my bulbifer leaf. What is it?

Those wierd bumps are called bulbils. Instead of sending out offsets under the soil, some species have their "babies" on their leaf intersections.. Bulbil image. A. muelleri also has bulbils. You may remove these bulbils when they are easily plucked and plant them.

What is a hardiness zone?

Areas classified by climate and temperature range for the purpose of determining which plants can be grown where. The U.S. is divided into eleven zones. hardiness zone

Which hardiness zone am I in?

hardiness zones

My leaf just died and fell over....Now what?

Don't pull it off with force. Wait til it completely falls over.Sometimes there is a new growth right under the old one. If you remove the old one too early, the tuber won't receive the nutrients it needs to continue growing.

Why are my leaves curling?

It could be a lack of humidity that is the cause. Try using a humidifier if you live in a drier part of the world. Also, check for pests carefully.

I received my new A. dunnii and the leaf was broken.

Sometimes, believe it or not, if the leaf isn't broken too badly you can use some scotch tape to hold it in place until it's time for it to naturally die back. I can't promise this will work but I have done it and it did work. If the leaf is too badly broken there may be no hope. Don't cut it back. Wait for it to do what it needs to do by itself.

How much and how often should I fertilize my plant?

If you have a seedling, it can't handle full strength fertilizer. Many people use 1/2 strength and less often than a larger plant. Research this further before doing it. I fertilize my larger plants each time I water. I switch up between....Miracle Grow, Seaweed extract, or another high quality fertilizer. This species loves to be fed, but too much at one time isn't a good idea....you can burn the roots.

What type of soil should I use?

Soil.

What is fast draining soil?

Fast draining soil is soil that is mixed with another medium that promotes drainage. Perlite or bark are some of the mediums used. There are others. Figure out what will work for you. I also put an inch or so of bark in the bottom of the pot to keep the roots from sitting in water.

NEXT -See A. decus-silvae