Geoff , it's a Tacca or Bat flower. It's a conservatory plant but very unusual - that's why I want one but I've visited umpteen sites and most of them only have seeds which I've heard are extremely difficult to germinate. That's why I want a plant. The only one I've found is £45 and I'm NOT paying that.
I can't believe the weather here. Thee sun is out and the birds are tweeting.
Thanks guys. I've seen the tubers on e-bay Geoff but really wanted a grown- up one but may have to re-think.
Gary, I've been on that site and they are out of stock - that seems to be the case on most of the sites I've been on so I may be better to wait until Spring. They have them for sale on that Hymalayan gardens web-site but that's the dodgy site that I put as a link and PamLL said her p,c. flashed up a dangerous site warning so I'm a bit wary of that one. I'll keep trying
I saw the bat flowers growing in the tropical biomes at the Edan Project in Cornwall. Amazing looking plants. They were growing in very hot humid conditions so I don't know how easy that would be to replicate.
Just watched the A-Z of gardening. Chris Packham said the birds we have in our garden now are migrants from Scandinavia and the continent and our local bluetits,blackbirds and robins have migrated further south. Here's me feeding the birds hoping they'll pay me back in the spring and summer by eating all the bugs when all the time I've been feeding foreigners.
Hi Pam I've been reading up about them and could imagine them to be difficult but I like a challenge . Damp pebbles and plenty of mist spraying required , I would think .
I've not visited the Eden project but would love to go and see them in the flesh so to speak Just think they are spectacular plants . Like Gary says , I may be better to leave it until later in the season. They may come down in price then as well.
Imagine paying £45 for a plant and then having it die on you.
I would be divorced.
Lottie. sorry to rub it in but we still have a nice day here. Still haven't turned the heating on.
Posts
Geoff , it's a Tacca or Bat flower. It's a conservatory plant but very unusual - that's why I want one but I've visited umpteen sites and most of them only have seeds which I've heard are extremely difficult to germinate. That's why I want a plant. The only one I've found is £45 and I'm NOT paying that.
I can't believe the weather here. Thee sun is out and the birds are tweeting.
This is it, I think it's stunning.
It's also known as the devil's flower as some say it has an evil face.
Jean -there is this -ok it comes from Thailand but they have 100% feedback
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TACCA-CHANTRIERI-BLACK-BAT-FLOWER-2-BULBS-FRESH-PLANT-BULB-RHIZOME-FREE-PHYTO-/170835027024?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item27c68fa450
and there are two roots/tubers
Chickens took themselves home when it started raining
This nursery (UK) has them at £25....
http://www.turn-it-tropical.co.uk/scripts/prodList.asp?idcategory=6&curPage=21&sortField=description
Temporarily out of stock, but that's just probably because of the season. Just wait a couple of months.
This nursery seems to have them in stock, at £34...
http://www.crosscommonnursery.co.uk/exotic-collection/tacca-chantrieri/c-00176/
Thanks guys.
I've seen the tubers on e-bay Geoff but really wanted a grown- up one but may have to re-think.
Gary, I've been on that site and they are out of stock - that seems to be the case on most of the sites I've been on so I may be better to wait until Spring. They have them for sale on that Hymalayan gardens web-site but that's the dodgy site that I put as a link and PamLL said her p,c. flashed up a dangerous site warning so I'm a bit wary of that one.
I'll keep trying 
Gary. didn't click on second link you sent me. They have them in stock there
Thank you.
I'm off to investigate.
Hi Jean,
I saw the bat flowers growing in the tropical biomes at the Edan Project in Cornwall. Amazing looking plants. They were growing in very hot humid conditions so I don't know how easy that would be to replicate.
Just watched the A-Z of gardening. Chris Packham said the birds we have in our garden now are migrants from Scandinavia and the continent and our local bluetits,blackbirds and robins have migrated further south. Here's me feeding the birds hoping they'll pay me back in the spring and summer by eating all the bugs when all the time I've been feeding foreigners.
Geoff, am not sure. Either Tuesday or Sunday would be better than Monday!
Jean, what an amazing plant!
Snow has turned to rain now.
Jean the second one- postage is another £7
The news is telling me that the Royal baby will be a prince or a princess-these people are too clever for me
Pam-look on it as doing your bit for the UN
Winter is over
Hi Pam
I've been reading up about them and could imagine them to be difficult but I like a challenge . Damp pebbles and plenty of mist spraying required , I would think .
I've not visited the Eden project but would love to go and see them in the flesh so to speak
Just think they are spectacular plants . Like Gary says , I may be better to leave it until later in the season. They may come down in price then as well.
Imagine paying £45 for a plant and then having it die on you.
I would be divorced.
Lottie. sorry to rub it in but we still have a nice day here. Still haven't turned the heating on.