I’ve had this plant for at least 6 or so months, at first it was vining fine, but the leaves never really grew larger. The original stem has kind of died away but the one that started when I received it grew pretty long with itty bitty leaves. Is that normal?
And now it seems to have stopped growing at all ( or atleast very little). I know they have opposing dormancy periods. so it’s not that I’m not expecting it to go dormant but the vine is still green and I’m looking for advice on what I should do!
Should I keep watering?
Should I act as if it’s growing until the smaller vine starts to brown?
Did I do something wrong for it to have such small leaves?
For context: I water about once weekly, if not every other week. It’s in bonsai Jack cactus and succulent mix (cheap and easy)
I’d also like to put it outside with my other desert dwellers but I’m worried about shock.
by ogpapasmurf96
6 Comments
Some just have small leaves, they usually grow as the vine gets larger though, I have one I bought with super tiny leaves and some I grew from seed that have much larger leaves, think it’s just genetics. I’d keep watering whenever it’s dry if it has vines and leaves.
What the lighting situation look like? Is it getting fertilizer aswell? Lighting is one of the main culprits for any houseplants
Do you live in the northern hemisphere? Dioscorea are strictly winter growing and they go dormant in summer.
They’ll always do better outside as long as they don’t freeze. Ideally you’d have it in full direct sun and it would be watered regularly (seriously, every few days if your mix is gritty enough), heavily fertilized and in a much larger pot.
repot – add 40% organic soil to about 60% non-organic rocks – place outside in part day sun – water less often until the plant becomes established – cut off straw colored vine – keep green vine
When it’s in leaf I water, when the vines yellow I let it be. Then when it starts a new vine I resume water slowly. Put it outside and somewhere that the base can be in shade but the vines can seek sun. Shock is fine, stick some window mesh over it for a couple weeks if you want. It’s early season still.