A rare sight is anticipated to unfold from today at Geelong Botanic Gardens with a live stream now set up.
Geelongian’s are currently waiting in anticipation as the city’s first corpse flower is expected to bloom. Planted at the Geelong Botanic Gardens, the corpse plant, Amorphophallus titanum or also named the Titan Arum, has a life cycle of between seven to ten years between blooming, and is banked on blooming for the first time this week.
Expected to occur between Wednesday 6 November and Sunday 10 November, the plant will stay in bloom for only 24 – 48 hours, releasing a powerful scent likened to rotting flesh, from whence its name is derived.
Corpse Plant in Bloom
- Where: Geelong Botanic Gardens
- When: Anticipated from between Wednesday 6 November and Sunday 10 November
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
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Having grown almost 10 centimetres in one day on Monday 4 November, the plant will continue to grow up until it takes bloom.
The current indications of the plants in bloom status are that the frilled spathe of the inflorescence has started to change colours. The plants temperature is currently measuring at a balmy 24 degrees Celsius, which will spike in temperature as soon as it starts blooming and could go as high as 40 degrees. Botanists are currently monitor the plant for any rapid changes.
The unpredictability of the bloom means that visitors wanting to witness the once in ten year opportunity will need to be on guard and ready to venture down at last minute notice. The Geelong Botanic Gardens have currently extended their hours in anticipation of the event, and once the corpse flower is in full bloom, the Geelong Botanic Gardens will open the Conservatory for 24 hours so all can enjoy seeing this exceptional plant.
To help with the updates on the corpse plant, the Geelong Botanic Gardens have set up a live stream on the City of Greater Geelong’s YouTube Channel, allowing everyone to witness the event without the smell!
For further updates and information on the corpse plants journey at the Geelong Botanic Gardens, head here.
