Aristolochia Gigantea - Giant Dutchmans Pipe...

[Sean]

Mike got me this plant last year from someone in Texas off eBay and I had it all last year and it did nothing. This year I fertilized it a bit and it took off. I am now beginning to see new blooms form. This one was only the size of my thumb a couple days ago and it still hasn't finished expanding.

Cheers,
Sean

[Joyce]

Very cool! Is that the hardy one?
I have the hardy one growing, but it's not doing much,
although just over a year in the ground.

[Mikey]

  That's a neat looking vine.  How much room do you think it needs?  I see them offered at our local botanical garden sales for $7.00 but I have yet to purchase one because I'm not certain where I would put it......

[maryvonne]

Very cool. I can't wait to see the boom.

Maryvonne

[SueSTx]

 

[gander]

Never seen that before. Thats pretty neat.

[Sean]

Thanks everyone,

It opened the other day and looked glorious. I am attaching a photo.

Joyce, I am not sure if it is hardy here, I kept it in the greenhouse over winter. I do know it is not the Gigantea Brasiliensis, the really big one so it might be hardy to this zone.

Mike, this vine grows fast once the roots get established but I understand it loves to be cut back hard so you could train it as large or small as you like.

Cheers,
Sean

[maryvonne]

Very nice bloom Sean. I will have to try one in our new home.

Maryvonne

[thedahlialama]

i've never seen this one before but it certainly is impressive!! the bloom looks almost psychedelic once it's opened!  i will have to look for it (and for a place to grow it  )

[Sean]

You can find seed from this variety on eBay, I bought some a few years ago but never grew it out to blooming size. Rooted cuttings are easily attainable there as well.

Cheers,
Sean

[Kittyzee]

Wow Sean, that doesn't even look like a real bloom but kinda like you made it out of fabric!!  Very impressive.

LuAnn

[Teresa]

Very very cool bloom Sean!  Joyce sent me seeds one year, but they didn't grow for me.  I just might have to try that one again . . . . have seen it at the local botanical gardens too . . . . maybe they'll have some for sale if they don't cancel the plant sale again (have cancelled the last 6 of them, so I'm not holding my breath).

[azreno]

Hey Sean, how's the smell? I'm just getting interested in the pipevines (I have AZ native watsonii and a brazilian native fimbriata and seeds for an unknown which are sprouting) and am wondering which ones are more or less bearable or if they all pretty much bearable.

Lynn

[Sean]

Thanks everyone,

Lynn, This plant does not have a smell. I hear that it can smell like lemon but not from what I could smell. No pungent rotting aroma either. Definitely worth trying.

Teresa, if you try them again, make sure you do not bury the seed. they need light to germinate. I just lay the seed on the surface and let it stay moist and warm. I was able to germinate seed from two other varieties but never got them going fast enough. Turns out they like fertilizer.

Another bloom is well on it's way to opening, perhaps by the weekend.

Cheers,
Sean

[MikeW]

Nice - I am definitely hoping to see some blooms on mine this year too. Of course, mine don't enjoy green fingers fiddling with them.

Cheers,

Mike

[Monica]

Beautiful flower.  I googled it and it says it is hardy in zones 10 and 11.  So I guess if I want one I'll have to overwinter inside 

[louis]

very unusual plant, i really like that one.

lou