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Post by morphman on Jul 1, 2016 1:17:10 GMT -5
Ok so this guy started to grow about one year ago in one of my other pots and after it grew a bit I mounted it. It's been growing fine but it doesn't really look like any of my other ant plants plus it's starting to do this Any ideas ??
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Post by morphman on Jul 1, 2016 1:19:13 GMT -5
More pics. These guys are soooooooo interesting
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Post by WillyCKH on Jul 1, 2016 9:58:11 GMT -5
Nice exotic plant! Is that a flower or just a plant feature?
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Post by morphman on Jul 1, 2016 10:52:42 GMT -5
Thanks Willy. I'm not sure if it's a flower or not and it's the first time I observe this. I'm guessing the plant is a myrmecodia of sorts but I'm not sure yet.
Cheers
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Post by Apoplast on Jul 1, 2016 12:36:23 GMT -5
Hi morphman - Nice looking plant! It's not an ant plant though. It is in the genus Dorstenia. It looks like it might be a hybrid with D. foetida, but I'm not sure (sorry about that). Some of the African Dorstenia species are amazing! They are cool plants. Thanks for sharing your photos!
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Post by morphman on Jul 1, 2016 12:49:59 GMT -5
I hope you're right there Apolo. They look super interesting and they are from the same geographic region as I am. I thought it was an ant plant because the caudexes are pretty similar right now but this one does grow a lot quicker.
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Post by morphman on Jul 1, 2016 12:55:28 GMT -5
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Post by morphman on Jul 1, 2016 13:02:19 GMT -5
Thanks again Apoplast it looks like you started a new addiction. I'm so doomed. But I love it So how do I take care of it ? I basically keep it cool, bright and moist but from what I've read in a few minutes it appears they like dry and hot conditions. Is this what I should be acclimatizing it to as it matures ?? I tried to buy some of this species but the ones offered were Cites listed and not available to ship to Canada. Regards
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Post by Apoplast on Jul 1, 2016 20:02:28 GMT -5
Ho morphman - I don't believe any of the Dorstenia species are CITES listed. One, Dorstenia gigas, is fairly coveted and uncommon in its restricted native range. But, many of the other species are fairly common. Indeed, it is really only the African species that are of horticultural interest. The neotropical species are mostly herbaceous and less dramatic, though I've grown a few. And the sole tropical Asian species I've never even seen. It's a large group with a few dedicated enthusiasts. Were you in the States I could help you acquire come interesting species, but it would be difficult to get them to Canada. One avenue that will save you import hassle, and expense, would be to look for seed. Dorstenia are typically straightforward to germinate for many species, though you need a good source or you'll end up with random hybrids. In terms of growing the African species, yes - hot, well drained, well watered in the summer; winter should be warm and mostly dry. Good luck and let us know how your plants do.
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Post by morphman on Jul 1, 2016 20:06:08 GMT -5
Thanks for the great information. I've been dying to read up more on them since yesterday but I've only been able to skim through a few lines online. Look what you done started !! lol
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Post by morphman on Jul 1, 2016 20:09:28 GMT -5
Oh yeah I forgot to ask. Can I just keep growing it epiphitically ??
Thank you
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Post by Apoplast on Jul 3, 2016 11:24:10 GMT -5
Hi morphman - I've never known anyone to grow Dorstenia as epiphytes before. That's not to say it can't be done, just that they are terrestrial in habitat and so I don't know anyone who has tried. They can be quite tolerant of sub-optimal conditions, especially the hybrid Dorstenia, so you might pull it off. Were I to try it, I'd probably keep them hot and make sure the substrate dried completely, or nearly so, between waterings. Good luck, and please let me know how it does for you.
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Post by jeff on Jan 25, 2017 3:48:49 GMT -5
Bonjour it is not a ant plant but a dorstenia . it is not a flower but an inflorescens with flower male end female on this inflorescens for me it is a D.hildebrandtii var hildebranbtii a african specie from Kenya ,Tanzania . it is not a epiphyte but a terrestrial specie often try in wet place in africa I have this specie and a lot of others ( african or bresilian) , I grow them in horticultural compost like in door plant . are you sure on H.salomonensis for me rather M.tuberosa 'salomonensis' no jeff
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