Bat Plant (Tacca Chantrieri)

In Malaya they call it the Devil’s Flower and strange, fascinating stories surround it. Originating, no doubt, from the malevolent way the eyes in the bloom seem to be following your every move! It grows to about 2 feet in height with flowers complete with filaments or whiskers 12 inches long forming a flowing forked tail.

Sow in trays or pots of good seed compost in a propagator or warm place to maintain an optimum temperature of 20-25C. It is essential that the soil temperature is high and kept steady. Sow 1.5mm deep in good moist seed compost and seal the container inside a polythene bag after sowing. Germination usually takes 1-9 months. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm pots of a good free draining compost, preferably a peat or peat substitute compost with 10% added grit. During the growing season (late spring to late summer) the plants will need to be watered very regularly and the compost must be well drained. Pot on as required into 13cm and finally 20cm pots. Give very little water through the winter.