Gonatopus angustus is an interesting plant belonging to the plant family Araceae closely related to and often found growing alongside Zamioculcas zamiifolia that makes an interesting easy to care for pot plant.
Gonatopus angustus occurs in Tanzania,
Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa where it is found in sand forest
in Tongaland in northern KwaZulu-Natal as well as in Mpumalanga
Gonatopus angustus after a winter rest period produces one
leaf in the late spring together with one or two flowers from its large tuber which
resembles a potato.
In cultivation as an indoor pot plant, I have found that it
does best in bright light with a little sun in a free draining sand with very
little organic material. My plants are fed with a dilute liquid fertilizer formulated
for growing vegetables in hydroponics. Do not over pot this plant also do not over
water, allow the soil to dry out completely for a few days before watering. During
the dormant period do not water until the new leaf appears in late spring.
Gonatopus angustus appears to be relatively pest free, to
date I have never experienced any pests such as mealie bug or scale on my
plants.
Gonatopus angustus can easily be propagated by dividing the
tuber immediately after the plants has become dormant in the winter. Do not water until a new leaf appears in late spring.
Michael Hickman
19.05.21
please visit my websites
as well as my other blogs at
http://luthulienvironment.blogspot.com/
