Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
This is my Dioscorea Mexicana. This current vine has been around for 9 months now. At one point it had grown long and full enough to fill the upper west portion of the greenhouse.
A few months ago portions of the vine started die off and I would cut them back. 2 Weeks ago I cut the vine back to just were it was poking through the upper shelf. The cut end is visible in this picture.
About 3 days later I noticed a vine staring to grow just below the cut portion. Today this is how much that vine has progressed. . Almost overnight, at least 3 feet of growth. It's wrapped itself around the pull chain for the ceiling light. It just keeps on going.- Attachments
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- 20220414_170236.jpg (134.73 KiB) Viewed 5202 times
Mike The Cactus Guy
Enjoying the Spines
Enjoying the Spines
- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
A comparison of 2 1/2 yrs of growth. My first Elephantipes from August 2019 and today.
This is a 6" square pot This is a 12" round bowl. Color has changed to grey from the brown.
This is a 6" square pot This is a 12" round bowl. Color has changed to grey from the brown.
Mike The Cactus Guy
Enjoying the Spines
Enjoying the Spines
- jerrytheplater
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
Mike, did you intend to show a side by side photo of the growth of your D. elephantipes? I only see two photo's-square and round.mikethecactusguy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 15, 2022 12:24 am A comparison of 2 1/2 yrs of growth. My first Elephantipes from August 2019 and today.
This is a 6" square pot
IMG_20190814_151326.jpg
This is a 12" round bowl.
20220414_170147.jpg
Color has changed to grey from the brown.
Edit: Cancel the above. It just dawned on me that you had to up the container size. I was looking for the same plant (but bigger) in the same container.
Jerry Smith
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
yes.. bigger plant... bigger pot....
Mike The Cactus Guy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
oooo caudex
Trade with me Always looking to expand my collection!
- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
My oldest Elephantipes has decided to take a rest.
The Mexicana has found the roof vent and is exploring the outside.
The Mexicana has found the roof vent and is exploring the outside.
Mike The Cactus Guy
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- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
Yes its been quit awhile since I updated here. Last years heat wave killed 6 of the small plants. Except for the large Mexicana, the other survivors have basically limped along. The smallest went dormant somewhere in May and the others have produced somewhat stunted vines. Time for an update. My original Elephantipes that started this thread went dormant 3 months ago. This is the longest period with no new growth. This morning I was rewarded with this new growth. Time to water again.
It looks to be a nice thick vine starting.Mike The Cactus Guy
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- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
Here are some current shots of the other plants. They all look sad right now. The Mexicana is still active so its watered once a week. The other get some water every 2 weeks.
Mike The Cactus Guy
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- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
How about a side by side showing it from the the start to today
I never realized how tall the facets were becoming.Mike The Cactus Guy
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- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
Another comparison of the smaller elephantipes and how it has changed over a few yrs.
here it is about 3 yrs ago And then now. Its lost some of its symmetry and the faceting is deeper.
here it is about 3 yrs ago And then now. Its lost some of its symmetry and the faceting is deeper.
Mike The Cactus Guy
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- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
Day #3 Growth.. let the fun begin.
Mike The Cactus Guy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
They did not look sad, they were just ‘Sleeping Beauties’ and now they are waking up one by one.mikethecactusguy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 02, 2022 2:42 pm Here are some current shots of the other plants. They all look sad right now……
Love the side by side shots, nice progress
- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
It is pretty cool with a slow growing plant going back a few yrs and seeing the progress.
Mike The Cactus Guy
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- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
I finally have some good activity. 5 days after the last posting
Mike The Cactus Guy
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- mikethecactusguy
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Re: Cultivation of a Dioscorea Elephantipes.
A nice closeup of the caudex, striations and vine progress from today
Mike The Cactus Guy
Enjoying the Spines
Enjoying the Spines