BCSS - Forum

Well, I suppose the BCSS wont let me call it a succulent. But it is a xerophyte - the corm stays dry all winter. Each year it puts out one highly divided leaf the size of an umbrella, and in lucky years, it does this a couple of months earlier. It's Amorphophallus rivieri (Konjac), ralted to the one that kew gets into the news every time it flowers. This one is only about 70cm tall, not 2m, though. Fortunately, while it does smell pretty bad, you have to put your nose right next to it before you can smell it.

The tubers of Suran (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) are one of the best yam-like vegetables I have tried. They are deep purple all the way through. Good flavour and good texture.

If you were very lucky you might find one in an Indian store that was undamaged enough to grow.

I've eaten konjac jelly in China. It's grey, looks rather unappetising, and is rather tasteless, in my experience (although it was in a spicy hotpot, so rather tricky to tell).

Cracking plant Ralph. I have a little kiusianus but not cracked the secret of really getting it growing well yet.

ralphrmartin wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 7:32 pm I've eaten konjac jelly in China. It's grey, looks rather unappetising, and is rather tasteless, in my experience (although it was in a spicy hotpot, so rather tricky to tell).

Konjac jelly sweets are, of course, famous for killing the unwary, old people and children by choking them. They are more rigid than most jellies and difficult to cough up.

The pure jelly has no calories, no taste and no colour. Now used for "diet" "rice" and "noodles". Available at all large supermarkets.

edds wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 7:44 pm I have a little kiusianus but not cracked the secret of really getting it growing well yet.

I start watering this at the start of April, but most years it doesn't do anything until july. If it flowers, it flowers first, then the flower dies down, before it send up a single leaf. I water and feed it well when watering it, but stop watering once the leaf is showing obvious signs of wilting at the end of the year.

What diameter was the “ tuber” when it flowered initially Ralph ? Thanks

Hard to remember, but say 6" across, perhaps.