Dragon Flower, Dragon Arum, Voodoo Lily (Dracunculus vulgaris)

Dragon Flower, Dragon Arum, Voodoo Lily
Dracunculus vulgaris

The flower and tongue are huge, and have a velvety sheen

What an amazing photograph. The composition is top notch. (In my simple opinion; the best one.)
Have you grown these from seed? If so, in-ground or protected in-pot?
K. James

Hi there! I bought a pack of 3 bulbs a few years back, possibly 5 years. I put them in a large pot and kept them outside for a start in a sheltered spot, they all grew but with frosts 1 went, then another went, even though they were in growth they weren't able to take it, in pots outside is sometimes worse than in the ground.

I still had 1 that had regrown from the original bulb, so rescued it and put it in the greenhouse in my magic compost mix! I keep it in the one with the glass panes out and in part shade, but that bit of protection keeps it from rotting. I often think when a bulb is bought as lifted, and has been grown differently, it is a hit and miss whether or not it will survive. If grown in the conditions it has to live in it has a head start.

It took 2 years to flower, that was it's 2nd year flowering. I repotted it into a slightly bigger pot last Autumn, the white roots were already growing and very long. The bulb is now quite large, if I ever get an increase from it I will try one in the ground, no seeds as yet, I don't know if you need 2 to get seeds.

Thanks for the compliment
Janet

Excellent photo and beautiful bloom.
Kaleem

Thanks Kaleem, it's a shame about the smell!

Mine at the end of February. Once established, mine came up ealrier and earlier, and 0C doesn't seem to affect it before the leaves are unfurled.
I bought five from a company on sale, but they froze hard in the mail; we'll see if they live.
I can't wait to try the seed next fall.
The smell is only for a day, if that, for me.
Kenton

So Kenton you got seeds? With only one bulb?

No, I have a few bulbs. That one sits by itself a few meters from a bigger, albeit new, stand of others. Last year, I was being foolish when I accidentally swung the shovel handle behind me and decapitated my maturing stalk! I anticipate that I will get a seed head this year, if I don't buzz it off in some silly way. I will be happy to share seed in that case.

Oh great! you must really love them to have bought 5 more! They are amazing, I'm trying to think of a mass of them all floweirng at once! Could swap some Zantedeschia Pink Mist seed if you want it.