About a year ago I wanted a large plant for my den, something leafy and tree like. My deliciosa was plugging along, but hadn’t reached that level yet. I found myself in a big box, browsing the aisles looking for something, mostly inspiration.
When I saw this Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum I decided that he would work. Home he came, got repotted, mission accomplished. Only it wasn’t. Soon he wasn’t happy, which meant I wasn’t happy; and we struggled through the winter. I found myself saying “OK, look like hell, just don’t die” too often. Come the spring he was still alive, not looking like hell, looking like the aftermath of hell; upright compost.
I sent him to the front porch with a “live or die, it’s on you.” I watered and waited for the end. But it didn’t come. He liked the porch, really liked the porch; and I kept watering. Then he needed a stake. Then I was wondering what I was going do with this monster I’d created. Then the colder weather arrived.
So we’re back where we started; except I know a bit more and he’s a lot bigger. He wants more water than I thought, and he’s going get some supplemental light for the next several months. And with fingers crossed, we head into another winter.
I’ll keep you posted.
