Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Corpse Flower - LIVE!

FRIDAY, MAY 24 UPDATE:
Well folks, it's been a blast sharing Horace's bloom with all of you. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end. Horace has finished blooming, and the smell has faded.
We'll be moving him back behind the scenes at the end of today (Friday), where he'll rest until the next bloom, likely years from now.
A big thank you to everyone who came out and waited in line, and to those who tuned in to the live stream.
TUESDAY, MAY 21: • Corpse flower to bloom...
MONDAY, MAY 20 UPDATE:
Thanks to all the plant people who made it out this weekend, and our apologies that you did not get to see this guy opening up! Still watching and waiting. We measured the bloom at 52” this morning so there was a bit more growth overnight. We think the bloom could be today…or the next day?! Did we also say that a couple days ago? Yes. 😊
FRIDAY, MAY 17 UPDATE
Horace was successfully wheeled into the North Garden this morning. Big thanks to our maintenance department for fabricating a dolly to facilitate the move. Now he can stay on display and not stink up anyone’s wedding!
The measurement this morning was 49.5” so he does continue to grow, but not as fast. This is one sign that the bloom is imminent. Another sign we are seeing this morning is that the front bract is drying and loosening. This part will fall open before the spathe unfurls. Now we are suspecting that the bloom day will be before Sunday, perhaps there is even a chance it will be today! It’s hard to know for sure so we will be watching…
TUESDAY, MAY 14 UPDATE:
Today Horace measured in at 46.5” so the spadix is continuing its steady upwards growth. It won’t break any height records, but it is still pretty impressive to see the growth rate continue.
Plans are underway to get the plant to another location before the busy weekend so folks can continue to visit between 10 and 6 daily and check in on the live feed.
We are looking for the spathe (the ruffled part that will open) to start showing the dark maroon coloring seen on most of these blooms. Another way the plant tricks its pollinators into thinking they have found rotting meat!
We still think May 19 is the likely bloom-by date and the unfurling usually occurs in the afternoon or evening. Then the smell persists, coming and going somewhat with the heating up of the spadix, for the next 12 hours or so. After that the bloom will eventually collapse, after just another couple of days. Then we will bring the plant behind the scenes again to be repotted and hopefully gather energy for another future bloom!
FRIDAY, MAY 10 UPDATE:
You may have seen (or heard on MPR) our fabulous Horticulturalist Jen, who is the main caretaker of Horace. If not check it out here: www.mprnews.org/story/2024/05...
We’ve asked Jen to keep everyone up to date on Horace. Here is today’s update!
Here is the latest on Horace, the Corpse Flower sensation taking the botanical world by storm at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory! Horace’s growth spurt continues at a speedy 2.5 to 3 inches a day - talk about plant power! Today, we took out the measuring tape and found him stretching to a whopping 38 inches. But hold onto your gardening gloves - there’s more!
We noticed Horace’s ruffled spathe slightly moving away from the central spadix. I have been grateful to be able to consult with Stephen Jones at the United States Botanic Garden who has grown many corpse flowers. Despite our excitement, Stephen assures me we’ve still got about another week of suspense before the big bloom.
And here’s a juicy tidbit for you plant enthusiasts: we received not one, but two of these peculiar plants back in 2019. While Horace steals the spotlight, his sibling is playing it cool behind the scenes. The second one has not yet bloomed and is not even actively growing at this point. They both come from seeds from the same parent plants that were started at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.