Dioscorea elephantipes breaking dormancy Solved

[babytoes1956]

Hi all,
I have read as much as I can find on this genus and species here and elsewhere, and was seeking information on whether there is a standard time of year or season that this plant usually breaks dormancy. Many suggested that it does this when and if it wants to. A few weeks ago, I got daring and gave the pot a soak, hoping that I could nudge it into showing signs of life. Today I looked, and beside the stump showing that it had grown at some point, I saw something green, but too small to tell anything with my trifocals. I got my handy iPhone out, snapped a photo, and enlarged it on my screen, and lo and behold, the start of growth emerging.

[Mal L]

Many suggested that it does this when and if it wants to.

Yes, I would say that sums it up very succinctly!
Once my plant just skipped a whole year, and I thought it must have died (but it hadn't). This year it was in leaf all Spring and Summer until about one month ago. It then went dormant, I cut off the dead stem and only two weeks later it started into growth again and is now bigger than ever. Mind you, I can understand it being thoroughly confused by the British weather, especially here in the NorthWest!

[MatDz]

I hope you won't mind my piggybacking the thread!

My pretty new D. elephantipes purchased about 1.5 months ago started growing new stem about 1 month ago, reached the stage below after maybe 2-2.5 weeks and then stopped doing anything. I'm wondering if the leaf colour means I kept it too close to the growlights (indoor) and the plant decided to go right back into dormancy? I'll take another photo in a week's time and see if there's any progress, but I'd swear the wasn't for the last week or so... The caudex is about 2.5 cm in case this matters.

[babytoes1956]

Many suggested that it does this when and if it wants to.

Yes, I would say that sums it up very succinctly!
Once my plant just skipped a whole year, and I thought it must have died (but it hadn't). This year it was in leaf all Spring and Summer until about one month ago. It then went dormant, I cut off the dead stem and only two weeks later it started into growth again and is now bigger than ever. Mind you, I can understand it being thoroughly confused by the British weather, especially here in the NorthWest!

Thanks Malcolm.
Your observations will help inform my treatment of this lovely plant.

[babytoes1956]

I hope you won't mind my piggybacking the thread!

My pretty new D. elephantipes purchased about 1.5 months ago started growing new stem about 1 month ago, reached the stage below after maybe 2-2.5 weeks and then stopped doing anything. I'm wondering if the leaf colour means I kept it too close to the growlights (indoor) and the plant decided to go right back into dormancy? I'll take another photo in a week's time and see if there's any progress, but I'd swear the wasn't for the last week or so... The caudex is about 2.5 cm in case this matters.

Hi Mat,

Our plants both seem to be pretty similar in size, so it will be fun to compare as time goes by.

Cheers,
John

[MatDz]

Hi Mat,

Our plants both seem to be pretty similar in size, so it will be fun to compare as time goes by.

Cheers,
John

If mine finally wakes up!

[MatDz]

Hi Mat,

Our plants both seem to be pretty similar in size, so it will be fun to compare as time goes by.

Cheers,
John

If mine finally wakes up fully!

[Terry S.]

Even though plants can wake up at any time over a two month period (but each individual usually about the same time each year), they are definitely winter-growing plants. So the triggers for growth are likely to be reducing hours of daylight and cool nights. If you are growing in conditions of your own making under lights, you might need to consider this.

[Tina]

They definitely grow to their own body clock but once you have vines you can be generous with the water.

I have a Dioscorea that came from a collection rehoming/rescue after the owner passed away after being poorly for a few years, the label says its d.elephantipes, over 50 years old but its quite small for 50 years & is an odd shape, now the leaves have started & they aren't the right shape for d.elephantipes, they are the shape of d.hemicrypta but the wrong colour as these are normally a brighter matt green with more prominent veins in the leaf.
Could it be a hybrid or anyone know an ID for it or just natural variation.

First unpotting, couldn't believe the size for age

Now in leaf

Finally I got a bit inventive with the baby dioscorea's climbing frame.

[ralphrmartin]

Mine too has just sprouted about 3" of vine, so I chucked 1/2 a bucket of water on it.