{"product_id":"carrion-flower-3-pot-var","title":"Carrion Flower Variegated - 3\" Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003eStapelia gigantea, the Carrion Flower or Giant Starfish Flower, is a clumping succulent grown for its spectacular, enormous star-shaped blooms that can span 25 cm or more. The pale yellow, red-lined, wrinkled and hairy flowers emit a strong carrion odour to attract pollinating flies, making them a fascinating curiosity. Native to southern Africa, the plant itself forms upright, soft, four-angled green stems without true leaves. It is drought-tolerant and easy to grow in bright, warm conditions. Best placed outdoors or on a balcony when in bloom due to the scent, it is a prized conversation piece for succulent collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApocynaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouthern Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20-30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30-45 cm, clumping\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLeafless, soft four-angled green stems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePale yellow with red lines, hairy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSummer to autumn\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArid, subtropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright light with some direct sun; light shade in peak heat.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater when soil dries; keep dry in winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGritty, very free-draining cactus mix.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThrives 20-35C; protect from frost.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow humidity preferred.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight feed in growing season for blooms.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRemove shrivelled or rotted stems.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvery 2-3 years; shallow wide pots suit it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery easy from stem cuttings.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMealybugs, aphids; stem rot if overwatered.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNon-toxic to pets and humans.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA novelty flowering succulent for collectors and curiosity gardens, grown for its dramatic giant starfish blooms; best kept outdoors or on balconies when flowering due to the strong scent.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn India grow it in bright light with very gritty soil, water sparingly and keep it dry through winter; the warm months trigger its remarkable blooms, so place flowering plants outside away from living areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water Stapelia gigantea?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater when the soil dries out during the warm growing season, then keep it nearly dry through winter. The soft stems rot quickly if kept too wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much light does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive it bright light with some direct sun, with light shade during the most intense summer heat to prevent scorching of the stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy do the flowers smell so bad?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe carrion-like odour and hairy, meaty-looking petals mimic rotting flesh to attract flies, which pollinate the flowers. The scent fades after a few days.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs the Carrion Flower toxic to pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo, Stapelia gigantea is non-toxic to cats, dogs and humans, though the smell usually keeps pets and people at a distance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt roots very easily from stem cuttings. Let a cut stem callus for a day or two, then place it on gritty, barely moist succulent mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I repot it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRepot every 2-3 years in spring, ideally into a wide, shallow pot with very free-draining mix, as it spreads into a clump.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the stems turning yellow or soft?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYellow, soft or collapsing stems indicate rot from overwatering or poor drainage. Remove affected stems and let the soil dry out.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan it grow indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt can be grown indoors in bright light, but it is best moved outside or to a balcony when flowering because of the strong scent.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhen does it bloom?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt typically flowers in the warm months from summer into autumn, producing its large, dramatic star-shaped blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat fertilizer encourages flowering?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eApply a diluted low-nitrogen or balanced cactus fertilizer during the growing season to support healthy blooms; avoid heavy feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256082923766,"sku":"PLT-CARRIONFLOWE-P03-VAR","price":299.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/tKprMrvSL0Mm7WGSgzxbpWMtBgvKEKvH3QDZ8jL4.jpg?v=1783920692","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/carrion-flower-3-pot-var","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}