Culturing the Carrion flower
By Serapion S. Metilla
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:16:00 08/19/2008
Filed Under: Lifestyle & Leisure
MANILA, Philippines—One of the succulent curiosities that merits attention is the giant starfish flower belonging to the Asclepiadaceae family. Also known as Carrion flower, its scientific name is Stapelia gigantea.
A native of Zululand, Rhodesia to Zimbabwe, Africa, this particular plant has ribbed branching stems which are pale green and velvety. It has a three- to four-angled stem growing up to eight inches long or more from where branches that are soft to the touch and easily break at the joints develop. This has to be planted in a wide surface container so the progression of stems can be supported or you can have it hung on a ledge.
Each stem joint when touching the ground or soil surface, eventually develops roots. If planted on a pot, the stems cascade. It is also advisable to have the potted plant placed along the edge of an elevated platform or plant rack. The old stems, being terminal, eventually die, and when they are already fully dried, each joint develops callus, leaving a dry scar. The dried stems just fall off eventually.
Offensive odor
At its natural habitat, where the soil is right for its needs, the plant bears flowers up to almost 18 inches across. If potted, the flowers grow up to only nine to 12 inches across.
Pale yellow with transverse crimson lines when fully opened, staying only for a whole day, it exudes a very offensive odor to which flies are attracted, thus the name Carrion flower, as it smells like a dead rat. This is probably its way of attracting flies, which lay maggots on the flower’s central part by noon or afternoon.
There are about 14 known domesticated species of the genus Stapelia, all from Africa. Some of the known ones are Stap. variegata, Stap, nobilis, Stap. mutabilis, Stap. hirsuae, Stap. asterias, Stap. pelgerae, Stap. comparabilis, Stap. bella and Stap. grandiflora, among others.
Although they are subtropical, the Stapelias can also be grown well in the Philippines. However, during rainy season, they should be protected from so much rain for they can be easily attacked by fungus. They have to be placed in full sunlight, provided there are transparent plastic roofing and airy situation.
Propagation can be done by stem cuttings. With a sharp knife, cut a matured stem about four inches long or just split a branch four to five inches long letting the cut part fried first for about a week before planting in soil. As potting medium, use a mixture of one-part garden soil, one-part river sand, one-part compost such as a mixture of dried rice hull or coco coir dust. It is advisable to sterilize the potting medium by heating it in a frying pan until smoke emits and smells burnt. The idea is to kill the bacteria and fungus. Let it cool first before planting. Stake with bamboo sticks to make it steady. Water only after about a week.
|
