Dioscorea hemicrypta

Got a new baby today

So had to take some photos before I buried it under the soil

Its not as big as it looks but it a beauty

So what happens with Caudiciforms Betty? When you bury them, the Caudiciform grows bigger?

Hey Michael with the dioscorea quicker growth has been reported from burying the caudex so I am following what I have been told and also what I have read

Haha i dont see how that works, it looks like a piece of dryed wood
It would take years for that one to get really big though.

I would hate to think how many years

My two year olds are about 2cm LOL

Hahaha LOTS of years:P

Nice one Betty, mine is about the size of a bean seed, lol. Will have to w8 many years to see a decent caudex.

CC are selling one on Ebay at the moment, but not sure if their slow growing personality suits my collection at present.

I read a fairly good book on the subject recently (P. deVosjoli - A Guide to growing Pachycaul and Caudiciform Plants) The recomendation there was to give them a large pot with lots of room to grow, sticking them in those trendy looking Bonzai pots actually slows them down, once you get the plant to a good size and shape then you can stunt it by sticking it in a shallow dish. The book says this one grows fastest in controlled greenhouse conditions.

Tula, Phillipe de Vosjoli's books are great and I am forever going through them

I also have it on the heat mat so it gets over the shock of being depotted and sent in the mail. The pot I have it in is big enough for it to stay in for a good many years and will push growth out of the soil on it own accord. Soooooo looking forward to that in a couple of years.

I saw a decent sized D.elephantipes (6cm) at one of the local markets yesterday, I thought $20 was reasonable, but I dont know, I like Caudiciforms but they have to look like a tree for me, woody blobs just dont do it for me, the one or two Ive had in the past, I couldnt even tell if they were dead or alive at times

Collectors Corner sometimes have large D.elephantipes for $300. can you imagine how many Gymnocalyciums i could get for that kind of money?

When you say large Lewis what would the measurement across be ?

Betty, Your collection is so diverse, you have some really nice plants! My Disocorea hemicrypta is pretty well non existent, as is my D elephantipes.
I have promised myself that one day they'll become a reality.


CP

CP seeds my friend they are easy to get for most types of dioscorea just think in two years they may be as big as 10c piece............or bigger

D. sylvatica grew much quicker for me and one has a nice tuber.

Hi CP

I see that you are in Tassie.

One superb large specimen of Dioscorea elephantipes is in the cactus and succulent glasshouse at the Hobart Botanic Gardens.

Must be 45cm diameter. Worth a visit.

Duncan

The Hobart Botanic gardens sounds like a good place to visit, must put it on my list for March next year

Hi

I emailled the Hobart Botanic Gardens asking about their specimen of Dioscorea elephantipes.

The reply said that their plant is 63cm diameter, 45cm high and they don't know the age, but it is mentioned in a brochure from the Gardens in 1914!!

From memory there is not much else in the cactus house of caudiciform interest.

Duncan