Recently got a dioscorea elephantipes in the mail. I did some research and it is said to cease watering when the leaves turn yellow and fall off. But hearing some say they will water it a little bit sparingly when it is in dormancy. Which is true? should I wait until I see vines grow back to water or should I water it sparingly until it gets its’s vines back?
by mortecai4
4 Comments
I have never just stopped watering for extended periods of time. In growth I water it like every week (my soil is very well draining and also in terra cotta pot) When dormant, maybe once every 2-3 weeks. You can continue to water if there are green leaves but maybe stretch out the time between waterings more as it becomes more and more dormant. Someone please chime in Im not 100% sure but Ive had my plant for 6 years now
You can give it a little water maybe once a month while dormant but it’s not really necessary and can be risky.
I treat it the same way I treat plants going dormant in the winter.
In the summer I may water a thirsty plant every 2 days here in Greece. When it drops its leaves in the winter once a month or even less.
So I treat dioscorea the same, but with seasons being opposite. Maybe if it’s outside and it’s a too hot summer I give it the occasional moisture, but it all depends on your climate. Our summers are super dry, like 15% humidity dry. Maybe if you’re somewhere wetter it’s not needed at all.
I only water
Mine when in vine, maybe a touch otherwise if v soft
They benefit from a dry dormancy as they feed off the caudex