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How bad do amorphophallus REALLY stink?

18 years ago

I just got my first one this year, an 8-inch tuber, allegedly a konjac (or rivierii, or whatever).

Anyway, I know they smell like a dead goat but how dense is the stench? Will it stink up the whole house when it blooms in Michigan in late winter, or will my wife be able to escape the aroma as long as she's across the room from it?

Now that it's leafing out she's grudgingly admitting that it looks pretty cool, but she's still threatening to leave me if I let it flower. Should I risk it?

Comments (5)

bluebonsai101
18 years ago
Hey, they smell bad, but I'm not really sure what the smell resembles.....I've never smelled a dead goat!! You can easily smell a konjac anywhere in the house...no escaping it I'm afraid.....my wife is never very impressed when I've got a dozen in flower at once. Best of luck next spring :o) Dan
konjacking
18 years ago
Tom,
I agree with Dan! They smell up the house with no problem! This year I was asked by the family to PLEASE move them to the basement! Ok so i did! all two that were in bloom! still smelled them through out the HOUSE! I was asked to PLEASE don't let so meny BLOOOM!
David
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handspeakboy
18 years ago
I agree with Dan and David... The odor will fill a room and on its peak day it will fill the house. Having lived on a farm and having family who lives on a farm.. I can say it is very close if not the exact smell of something dead and rotting.

My parents who grew up on farms all their lives both said dead cow or dead sheep... matched it to a T..

enjoy :)

Chris
randy_e
18 years ago
They smell so bad my wife won't allow me to grow any close to the house, now the neighbors can get a wiff. As you can see in the photo below the dog thinks it smells interesting.

{{gwi:387555}}

Randy
JeanneK
18 years ago
They smell really bad! Like a dead animal and the smell does permeate the whole area. And how about the flies swirling around the flower in the house?

I am amazed that your families allow you to keep them in the house.

Having said all that, they are pretty cool plants!

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