Serpentine tree, or amorphophallus: cultivation and care

The serpentine tree, also called amorphophallus, has its name because of its specific appearance. Its name translates as "escape without form." The plant belongs to the family of aroids, in which there are more than 120 different species.

Amorphophallus grows well in Africa, Australia, Asia and other countries with a tropical climate.

Appearance

It has a thick barrel of spotted color that resembles snake skin. It blooms only one flower, consisting of a large carved sheet, which reaches 1 meter in diameter. Just like the trunk, it is covered with spots. After flowering, the snake tree discards it.

The flowering period, which lasts 2-3 months, comes in spring, as in many other plants. It produces an ear-inflorescence in the form of an arrow, which is covered with a sheet of red-brown color.

Aroma of amorphousphallus

The serpentine tree exudes a fetid smell of meat at the stage of putrefaction and stunted eggs. In this way, it attracts flies that act as pollinators. In the people because of this, he was nicknamed the "corpse flower". The snake- tree room stinks only when it blooms, at the rest of the time it does not smell. In conditions of apartment "living" it rarely blooms, about once every 3-4 years. The plant exudes the strongest smell in the first three days of flowering, and after its "aroma" decreases and completely disappears.

Cultivation

Snake-tree is a house plant, it is unpretentious in care and does not require special conditions for growth. Amorphophallus loves light and moisture. It can be placed next to the window and watered more often, so you will create optimal conditions for it. At the time of active growth it is required to fertilize with special fertilizing. Plant the tuber immediately into a large and deep floor pot, half filled with earth. As you grow, you need to add a few layers of earth mixed with fertilizers. Abundant watering is required at the time of active growth and during flowering periods, after its completion, the amount of moisture should be reduced.

Nourishing should contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (mineral). These elements are required by the tree during the growth period. It is also necessary to use organic fertilizers. For this purpose, the mullein and humus are perfect.

In the process of growth, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the plant. It can affect some diseases, for example, aphids, spider mites and scutes. When you discover them, then the plant needs to be treated with special means that can be purchased at stores.

Reproduction

They grow a snake tree with tubers. They should be separated in autumn with great care, so as not to damage the baby. If all the same it happened, then the tuber should be decontaminated in a moderate solution of potassium permanganate. Store them in boxes of foam or cardboard, in a dark and cool place (5-9 degrees Celsius). In spring, around the beginning of March, when the average air temperature reaches 18-22 degrees, they can be planted.

Before planting the tubers do not need to germinate, sprouts appear after planting in the ground.

An interesting fact is that the daughter snake tree tubers are actively used in Chinese medicine. Of them are prepared a remedy for oncological diseases.

Interesting folk names

For its appearance and exuding smell, the plant is called by the people in different names, sometimes there are very strange nicknames.

Lilia Voodoo, snake's palm , devil's tongue , dead flower, shapeless penis and others are all names of one tree.

The tree is very beautiful in any period. His huge flower will not leave indifferent any person. Of course, it has a minus in the form of an unpleasant smell, but it appears only during the first week of flowering. The flower pleases everyone with its beauty for 2-3 months. Therefore, you can see it in all its glory and not breathe in its smell.