Almost looks like it hurts. You always show the most interesting plants. Thank you

Keith....

Interesting...." 17 years old"....Have you grown this plant from a smaller, seedling plant over the last 17 years, or did you just recently get this plant, that happens to be, 17 years old? I will assume that you have been growing this plant for the last 17 years.

A few questions:

Has the plant changed much in the 17 years, other than putting on bulk, and the bubble-roots.

The main stem looks like it was radically chopped-back in the recent past. Did you give the plant the chop?

Is this F-B a fast grower?

Thanks for the picture.

Frank

The colors on that trunk are lovely, and such a contrast to the fresh new growth. Is this plant normally this size, or is it kept from getting big because it is being contained in this pot? 17 years is quite a committment to a plant. It's like a child. At this point you just can't throw it out.

Keith,

I pinched back the second set of buds on my biggest one today, in hopes of getting that energy put into the caudex - I know you would approve.

Nice plant, too. I like it when they're looking like an Ent.

Frank,

It has continuous hybrid vigour - the first to bud up, the last to dehisce, and continuous growth in hot summer, just like the grape it is. But it's also, as Keith shows, as growy as you allow it to be.

I started this from a cutting 17yrs ago that was the size of a pencil. Every year in the fall I remove all new growth to keep this plant fat and to produce new ones. It get fatter ever year. If I didn't cut it back annually it would be much taller.

These grow rapidly and do best in containers to keep tubers close to the trunk. In a large pot or raised bed the tubers will be wide and far, I've found them 8ft away before! Most raise the roots too soon. Leave them buried longer and they will fatten up more than if they are exposed.

Very interesting growth characteristics that you observed. Thanks for the answers. You sure know your plant material. Unbelievable that tuberous roots can reach so far away from the plants. I wonder if one of these extended roots should get severed, if a new plant will sprout from the tuber?

There's no doubt in my mind that your knowledge, and growing climate play a huge roll in the results that you get with your plants...and it shows. Just great specimens to look at.

Frank

Frank,

You don't have any of these yet from Miles? They'd grow gangbusters where you are, I think.

'play a huge roll'

I've always wanted to play a Montreal bagel myself....

cactus...you always make me smile.

As soon as I kill some plants and make room, I'll get me a nice Fat B@st@rd. But it has a face only a mother could love...and, those lumpy feet...ugh!

Frank

Wow, Keith, you had so many plants that I never heard of it. It is beautiful, fat and short, just like me.....
Marie

You won't see many if any seed grown Fat B@st@rds, this is 20yrs old and in a 12in pot
{{gwi:542943}}