Squamellaria kajewskii – Holy Grail Solomon Island caudexed epiphytic ant plant

Photos one through three show details of two larger specimen plants growing in my personal collection a California greenhouse. Last pair of photos show plant offered for sale, in a bark-based mix and potted in a 6″/15 cm heavy duty hanging basket. Near flawless, clean caudex with great character, and almost never seen for sale at this size. Overall canopy diameter is >15″/43 cm and caudex diameter is ~2″/5 cm. Squamellaria kajewskii (formerly Hydnophytum kajewskii ) is one of the most striking and rare cultivated caudexed plants in the world. Indeed, an online reference to the plant by the Irish National Botanical Garden notes that this species has, “…one of the most elaborate and bizarre structures in the entire plant kingdom.” Native to the Solomon Islands, it has long been sought by public gardens, collectors of tropical “fat” plants and specialized ant plant collectors. Beginning in 2010, multiple costly attempts at bringing this species into cultivation from Bougainville Island-sourced seed were made by Asian, US and European collectors, but were only met with limited success in early 2013. During the course of growing this material out in greenhouses in the US and Germany, it became apparent that this species and its closest relatives are normally dioecious, that is to say, they usually have separate male and female plants. I was very fortunate in ending up with a pair of females and a single male from the seedlings grown out from 2013 and 2014 seed, and was able to produce the world’s first F1 artificially-propagated seedlings of this species in 2015. The plant shown is just over six years old from artificially-propagated seed. Suitable for bonsai succulent staging this summer, as shown in the first image. This species does well in very bright bay windows and can be grown to full size in one with enough patience. Suitable for large, well-lit terraria as small plants and in vivaria housing small reptiles and amphibia from Australia and New Guinea. Of the many remarkable ant plant species, this is one of the very best for growers with limited space. Somewhat drought-tolerant, but prefers uniformly moist, not wet, growing conditions. The plants offered is a young specimen-sized flowering-sized plants. Ants are not required for successful cultivation of this species and the Hydnophytines in my collection do not house ant colonies. All plants offered are greenhouse grown on benches in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Shipping: Plant will be shipped via USPS Priority Express Mail with a 72 hr heat pack and tracking. Wherever possible, plants will be shipped in plastic pots. If bare-rooting is required for shipment to your state, please advise when auction is completed. Discounts on mailing charges available for multiple plant purchases. Delays : plants may be held for shipment if extreme weather conditions (involving sustained sub 40 degree F or 98+ F temperatures) are forecast for destination and buyer will be notified of this decision. Paid-for purchased material will be greenhoused on my end me until a window of mild weather is forecast. Should the buyer insist on prompt shipment, in writing, when a severe weather warning is in effect, the live arrival guarantee is void. Payment is expected within 48 hours of receipt of invoice and invoice will be sent shortly after auction close. No International Sales. No local pickup. Live arrival guarantee . Photographic evidence of damage or loss in transit must be provided within 24 hours of arrival to receive same species replacement material or refund. Photos and text descriptions are property of the seller and may not be used by third parties without prior written permission by me.