Patupi Year 3
Last season was a thriller with steady growth during the summer that put the plant in the target range for a flower only to be ripped out of the ground and slammed into the dirt face first by Hurricane Sally mid September. Despite the body blow, Patupi was able to suck it up and rally into the first winter freeze with two leaves and surprisingly threw out a flower! However it was not to be as the weight of the frost cloth after a heavy rain caused the weakened and thin top of the plant to snap off! Foiled again!
This year we are starting the season at 36", a nice thick pstem and a total of 11 leaves (three just collapsed) vs. last year at this time at 28" and ten leaves. We have an eight inch better start! Who says, size doesn't matter? Yeah, baby! Last year the plant averaged 17" of growth per month between April and August so if we can keep to that pace, Patupi has an expected target of 104" by mid September. Last year the flower emerged at a height of 92". Hopefully this will be Lucky Year 3! No hurricanes!
Everyone is more than welcome to post of pics and info about their Patupi in this thead. Post'em if you got'em!
May 20, 2021 Patupi
(A couple of excessively windy days this Spring have damaged the leaves)
