No not really from the crown, but still it looks strange. No, it does not stunt their growth at all, it is a necessity. No, there is not necessarily very much below the soil. In the foto you see a 'normal' Anchomanes difformis in its leafless stage (in the background, unsharp, one with leaves). Mine (two tiny youngsters, a few years old) are just dying back right now, I see no relation with the calendar. They just grow and fade away again as they like. (pic taken at VU-Amsterdam botanical garden).
Ruud
