Dioscorea rupicola - watering

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Chris L
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Dioscorea rupicola - watering

Post by Chris L »

I've been growing one of these since 2013 and it is still really small.

I know it grows in winter (?) and looses it's leaves. It didn't seem to be doing anything despite a bit of water and I thought I'd killed it.

Two leaves have sprouted recently so it must be still alive.

When should I be watering it, please? It lives indoors on a window sill.

Thank you.
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Re: Dioscorea rupicola - watering

Post by MaciejW »

Hi Chris,
As a rule of thumb with all dioscorea plants, water when they come into growth, and stop/reduce watering when the leaves dry out. I have sown some last May and kept them in closed humid conditions for the first 6 months. Now I let them dry between watering and 3 out of five still have their leaves on.
Good luck!
Maciej
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Re: Dioscorea rupicola - watering

Post by Chris L »

Thank you. (tu)
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Re: Dioscorea rupicola - watering

Post by ralphrmartin »

Mine's a summer grower (unlike D. eliphantipes).
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Re: Dioscorea rupicola - watering

Post by iann »

D. rupicola comes from a summer-rainfall habitat and is described in several sources as growing in summer. Habitat is at altitude and mostly shaded.
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Re: Dioscorea rupicola - watering

Post by Chris L »

It is still a tiny little thing - 5 years old. Whether the name is wrong or I've confused it by growing indoors and watering at wrong time I don't know.
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Re: Dioscorea rupicola - watering

Post by Mike »

If it's growing, water it and keep it warm.
For me, so far, D. rupicola is a summer grower, but in my experience many Dioscoreas don't read the books, and tend to grow when they feel like it - and not when they don't.
Right now I have one D. elephantipes in full growth and another that refuses to wake up at all. Ideas on how to rouse D. elephantipes from slumber would be welcome!
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Re: Dioscorea rupicola - watering

Post by FaeLLe »

So what does everyone do with winter growing dioscorea and it is peak winter? Do you still water them carefully even though greenhouse is at 5-10c?
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Re: Dioscorea rupicola - watering

Post by Mike »

I bring mine indoors. As yet they can just fit on windowsills. What happens when they get too big, is a question I've not yet answered!
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Re: Dioscorea rupicola - watering

Post by ralphrmartin »

In previous years, I kept my D. elephantipes soaking wet all winter, by the glass, where it was hopefully kept at 5C, but in practice, at least some leaves were touching the cold glass. It seemed to thrive on that, and is now over 6" across, with a 4ft branching vine in my new greenhouse. They seem pretty tough.
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