A. pulchellus is a very interesting species from Laos. It is one of the very dwarfs for the genus, grows under humid and shady conditions and produces a very intruiging inflorescence with a very long and slender downwards bending appendix. But the best of it is that the fragrance - though very short-lived - is eventually very sweet! No carrion, no gas-like, no cheesy or whatsoever displeasing smell!! So far so good but as usual there is a drawback. It rots easily, it is sensitive to fungi and it flowers rarely. 

 

The opposite behaviour can be attributed to A. myosuroides (silver leaf in this case). It is vigorous, a comparatively easy grower with a good flowering behaviour. So why not cross these two in order to get a vigorous plant with a good flowering behaviour and a very long appendix?

A. pulchellus, the female parent and A. myosuroides, male parent

The outcome, Amorphophallus 'Majda'

A. 'Majda' is the latest of my hybrids to have flowered, eventually it only happened a few weeks ago. However, it was fascinationg as it combines attractive traits of both parents. The good growing and flowering properties of A. myosuroides, along with s slight silvery mark on the leaves - together with the very long and nicely coloured inflorescence of A. pulchellus. I might be mistaken but I believe I also catched a slight and sweet fragrance.

 

This plant is dedicated to a plant lover and incredibly patient person from NCBI.

What's new?

After a long hibernation time I intend to make some updates now and in the new future.

 

First step:

 

The first pulchellus x myosuroides seedling has flowered!

 

A few selected plants will be released as cultivars.