Family: Araceae
Scientific name: Amorphophallus costatus
Common name: Android
Origin: Borneo
This is a very rare Amorphophallus species that is rarely offered. The species was discovered in 1991 in the far south of Borneo at an altitude of 400 meters along a stream. It was named in 1994 by Wilbert Hetterscheid, who has done a lot of research on the Amorphophallus genus in Wageningen.
The leaf can reach a height of about 60 cm and has a light stem with dark spots. The inflorescence can grow up to 40 cm high, with the spathe itself measuring about 20 cm. The base has a pinkish color with dark spots and the rest of the inflorescence is colored dark brownish-purple. This includes the spadix that rises above the bract. The flowers emit a strong cheesy scent to attract insects for pollination.
The plant grows from an underground tuber with 1 leaf at a time. A leaf is succeeded each time by a larger leaf and when the tuber has stored enough energy, the plant can flower. Provide a well-drained, constantly moist soil. If the species is dormant, a little less water can be given temporarily.
Sowing instruction: The already germinated seed can be sown directly in well-drained soil with organic material and e.g. perlite. For initial development, a temperature of 25-30gC is optimal.
Sowing time: Year-round
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 15 degrees Celsius