Bought a Sauromatum guttatum now what?

I've just purchased a small Sauromatum guttatum tuber on eBay and then realized that i know little to nothing about it, other than it's relatively hardy yet unusual in the UK and that it smells like carrion:D is there anything else that i need to know? and what type of soil does it prefer? would it be easier to grow in a pot?

thanks in advance:thumb:

 

HI
I have grown these weirdos for a while and they are great fun!
Firstly - is it sprouting at all? Do you know if it has flowered?
Where abouts are you? because I live in the south and they are happy to stay in my garden soil all year. If you prefer to grow it in a pot you will need to find a big one because the tuber/bulb can grow quite large ( mine are the size of side plates now!)
As for soil and site, you need to plant it about 4 to 5 inches deep. You will notice that it has a bare underneath. No roots come from there, they come from around the crown at the top and thereby anchor themselves in the soil. Dont plant it too shallowly or it wont be able to support its large leaf. The soil needs to be moist but well drained. I plant mine in dappled shade and they seem to enjoy it like that.
They flower in spring with the smell really quite foul but only for a day or so. Once pollinated the flower dies down and one leaf will develop on a long stalk. This leaf is really quite weird in itself and may need staking ( be careful not to stick your stick in the bulb!) This leaf lasts until about August when the whole thing dies back.
You can lift the bulb and keep it dry for the winter. In about February bring it into a warm spot with no soil or water and eventually it will flower on its own with no help from you!
It does multiply if it is happy - as mine have.
There are several different types around, mostly on ebay. Look up amorphophallus (!!)

Hope this helps and any other queries just ask