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JP4294
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2016 2:10 pm Posts: 17 Location: Bristol UK
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Cyrtosperma merkusii
I managed to source a corm of this spectacular and difficult to find aroid from the Philippines. It arrived two weeks ago, and in true tropical style has begun to explode with growth already. It's potted in a 50:50 mix of moss peat and sand, with bottom of the pot being filled with gravel. It's set in a heated water bath with an LED bulb over it to give it a boost during the cold months.
This plant needs a lot of warmth, I think it's more adaptable in terms of light requirements. Will be interesting to see how it does in a north-facing bay window.
The main growth point:
Suckers coming up, this plant suckers freely (depending on the cultivar):
The mother plant, nowhere near full grown:
Does anyone have any experience with growing this species?
_________________ James
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Thu Feb 01, 2018 10:26 pm |
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Paul Spracklin
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:55 pm Posts: 2564 Location: North Thames delta UK
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
Wow - not heard of anyone outside of a botanical institute getting hold of this. Good luck, I suspect you are on your own!
There was a period when I looked for it to try as summer in pond/winter in greenhouse plant but I came to the conclusion that a/ I wasn't going to find it and b/ my greenhouse wasn't warm enough.
_________________ visit my website - www.oasisdesigns.co.uk
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Sat Feb 03, 2018 8:25 am |
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Chad
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:03 pm Posts: 2343 Location: Inland Cornwall UK
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
For a picture that gives it a scale, try .
At least I think Cyrtosperma merkusii is the same as Cyrtosperma chamissonis.
Now I can see why you are keen to grow it!
Chad.
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Sat Feb 03, 2018 9:47 am |
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JP4294
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2016 2:10 pm Posts: 17 Location: Bristol UK
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
_________________ James
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Sat Feb 03, 2018 10:58 am |
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Paul Spracklin
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:55 pm Posts: 2564 Location: North Thames delta UK
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
James that is very kind of you! I won't say no, if you get that far. Just read up about it and the corms can get to over 60kgs!
Another one I liked the look of was Typhonodorum lindleyanum. I recall seeing about a dozen stems lying on their sides at Kew when they had weeded it out, destined for the compost heap no doubt.
_________________ visit my website - www.oasisdesigns.co.uk
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Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:53 am |
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JP4294
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2016 2:10 pm Posts: 17 Location: Bristol UK
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
_________________ James
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Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:54 pm |
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Paul Spracklin
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:55 pm Posts: 2564 Location: North Thames delta UK
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
Interesting. Do you recall where you sourced it from?
_________________ visit my website - www.oasisdesigns.co.uk
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Sat Feb 03, 2018 1:01 pm |
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JP4294
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2016 2:10 pm Posts: 17 Location: Bristol UK
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
I bought mine from , looks like they're out of stock though. However, do sell seedlings, just a bit expensive!
_________________ James
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Sat Feb 03, 2018 6:00 pm |
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Paul Spracklin
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:55 pm Posts: 2564 Location: North Thames delta UK
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
Thank you. As you say, not cheap!
_________________ visit my website - www.oasisdesigns.co.uk
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Sat Feb 03, 2018 7:55 pm |
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Stan
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:52 pm Posts: 10687 Location: Hayward- S.F. Bay area Ca.
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
That does have the hothouse requirement look to it. I'm surprised that easier to find aroids like Colocasia gigantea aren't tried more in Europe.
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Sun Feb 04, 2018 12:02 am |
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JP4294
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2016 2:10 pm Posts: 17 Location: Bristol UK
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
_________________ James
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Mon Feb 05, 2018 1:23 pm |
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BenC
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:23 pm Posts: 298 Location: East Devon, UK
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
_________________ http://www.adventurousplants.co.uk
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Tue Feb 06, 2018 3:35 pm |
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JP4294
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2016 2:10 pm Posts: 17 Location: Bristol UK
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Re: Cyrtosperma merkusii
Oh interesting, I thought Leucocasia gigantea was its old name, I had no idea they'd reassigned it! I wonder why it was placed in Colocasia in the first place.
As for the Cyrtosperma, will keep this thread updated. Growth has slowed down as the house has cooled with the recent cold snap (big single-glazed windows, tall ceilings and a weedy heating system don't help much), and the heat mats only do so much. It's still going slowly though; soil temperatures have stayed between 25-30.
Resisting temptation to have a look under the soil because I keep getting paranoid that the corm is rotting. It came with no roots on it whatsoever, and the corm had some damage. I gave it a few baths of peroxide before I planted it which certainly helped to disinfect it and remove dead tissue. I also kept it in water for a week or two to keep an eye on it and the corm seemed to be doing alright. I'm sure it's fine, must leave it alone. Anyway, I'm hoping if it can manage to muster some growth now with the short days and cooler temps, then the rest of the year should hopefully bring some nice developments!
_________________ James
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Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:23 am |
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