Download Tacca chantrieri `Black` (Bat Plant)

 Tacca chantrieri ‘Black’ (Bat Plant) Cultural Information Tacca “chantrieri” is known as the “Bat Plant”. The plant is in the Taccacea family and native to the jungles of South East Asia. The plant normally grows to 2 to 3 feet in height with shiny green foliage with leaves that grow to 60cm in length. They grow outdoors in zones 10 – 12. The flower is very unusual; purple‐black that looks somewhat like a flying bat, with whiskers. Temperature range: 60º ‐ 85º F is optimum but will thrive 75º ‐ 90º F. This is a tropical plant but will tolerate winter night temperatures of 55º F. This plant is tropical and will benefit with high humidity but does require good air circulation to prevent diseases. Light Intensity: They require at least 70% shade to obtain the best growth rates. In the younger stages they can be grown in 60% shade – this will bulk up the plant but to obtain the best green color at least 70% is needed. Shade levels higher than 70% are tolerable but plant will not be as robust. Soil Type: A well drained organic soil mix is good. 60% Canadian Peat 30% Perlite and 10% Vermiculite will work well. Keep the pH levels at 5.5 to 6.0 for best results. When planting or transplanting take care to keep the soil “lite”. Do not pack the soil hard ‐‐‐ a loose mixed soil will be the best. Fertilizer: A temperature activated slow release fertilizer incorporated in the soil mix will be sufficient in the early stages of the crop. A liquid feed of 20 20 20 can be applied as needed and especially at the end of a crop to assist in blooming. Watering: Plants should be watered on a regular schedule. Care must be taken to not allow soil to remain soggy or to dry that the plant wilts. Stress of wilting will inhibit flower production. Finishing times: Typically this plant can be grown in a 6”, 8” or 10” pot. A strategy can be to start in 6” containers with some spacing – allowing them to grow and root in for 4 months and then transplanting to a larger container with good spacing to finish in another 3 to 4 months. The typical shipping height would be +/‐3 feet. Flowering: Plants flower with maturity, and at this point we know of no particular mechanism that will encourage flowering. The plant will naturally flower from late spring into late summer. ForemostCo®, Inc. | Consistent Quality, Exceptional Service™ | 8457 NW 66 Street, Miami, FL 33166 1 1.800.421.8986/305.592.8986 | 305.592.8934‐fax | [email protected] | www.foremostco.com
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