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Plant Care for Tacca Chantrieri
Plant Care for Tacca Chantrieri. The Tacca chantrieri is an orchid also known as the bat flower. This plant has a unique visual aspect, mimicking the appearance of a bat in flight with its deep purple blossoms and long hanging filaments. Taking care of this plant requires a little more work than the average house plant, as it has specific needs.
The Tacca chantrieri is an orchid also known as the bat flower. This plant has a unique visual aspect, mimicking the appearance of a bat in flight with its deep purple blossoms and long hanging filaments. Taking care of this plant requires a little more work than the average house plant, as it has specific needs.
Environment
The Tacca chantrieri is a tropical plant, so it grows best in warm climates. If you live in a cooler climate, be sure you have a place to keep the plant for the winter months, so it will not be exposed to temperatures below 55 degrees F. Keep it in a lightly shaded area of your yard and you will see it blossom from late spring through early fall.
Food and Water
Use a well-aerated potting soil and a pot with a hole in it for this plant, or plant it outdoors using a well-aerated potting soil alone. If the soil you purchase packs very tightly, add sand to let it aerate better. The soil should drain well but also retain sufficient moisture for the plants, which need to remain moist at all times.
The Tacca chantrieri needs constant light moisture, so do not let it dry out between waterings. The leaves do well with a light misting of water during the hottest part of the summer as well.
Add leaf mold to the soil for fertilization purposes.
The bat flower goes dormant during the fall months. Keep it warm and dry until springtime, when you can resume your regular watering schedule in preparation for the new blooms to appear.
Troubleshooting Problems
The bat flower plant is not prone to any pests in particular, but you should always inspect new plants for any signs of pests, such as holes in the leaves or the presence of visible insects, before purchasing.
