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If you ’re looking for an interesting , down - maintenance indoor plantthat offer year - rhythm interest group , the tortoise plant ( Dioscorea elephantipes ) is a coinage you ’ll want to teach about . These Caudiciform perennials grow from an amazing corky stalk that resemble a turtle shield , or elephant foot plant . They have a prospicient history of pursuit for human race , beginning as a food reservoir , then as a medicinal plant , and today , as a desirable house industrial plant .
Read on to learn more about these weird and wonderful plants , and how to grow and care for them in your house .
The tortoise flora is a very interesting species indeed . For many growers , the striking caudex ( enlarged succulent stem ) is interesting enough to garner the works a spot in their household .
This structure can grow massive in nature , with some specimens give 10 feet ( 3 yard ) across ! The stock starts off rounded , but as it grow , the caudex cracks , create amazing geometrical shapes that point growth band . That ’s not all they have to volunteer , however .
These deciduous houseplant usually put out greenish growth in the winter , although they often seem to have a judgment of their own . When not sleeping , Elephant ’s ft is a vining plant that can depend awe-inspiring when trained to grow on a treillage for example . It produces attractive , sheeny dark-green heart - shaped foliation and small-scale , greenish - yellow flowers .
Plant Facts
How to Grow a Tortoise Plant
Unless you are able to find a potted specimen , you will need to grow your own flora from scrawl . These plant are jolly easy - growing , and because the roots are sparse , Elephant ’s Foot should be implant in a shallow skunk make full with permeable , well - drained garden land .
fully grown indoors , these elephant foot plant are easy to handle for and do well in a well - unhorse area of the plate . They do n’t call for a whole lot of attention , but there are some of import things to know for success with this species .
Let ’s take a tight look at how to grow these fascinating African plants .
Propagation
The only way to propagate fresh Elephant ’s invertebrate foot plant is by seed . Since these plants are easy - arise and dioecious , producing your own germ will take a plant of each sex and a good amount of patience ! If you are in a lieu to produce your own tortoise plant ejaculate , be certain to let the source capsule dry out out to the full before plant the fly seeds .
For most the great unwashed , finding seeds online or from a specialist garden plaza will be the best way to get started . The best time to sow the germ is in the spill . To get them germinating , cover them in about 5 mm of grease in a shallow container and keep them moist .
Soil
The good soil for your tortoise works is a freely enfeeble mixture of potting territory that include a small amount of organic compost to provide the plant life with some nutrients . To better drain , you could mix in some grit or grit . Perlite is a great , lightweight option to moxie that will also be effective .
If you are considering rise a tortoise flora outdoors , use sandy soil that has been treated with full-bodied , well - rotted compost .
Pruning
When the foliage on your tortoises begins to sprain yellow and brown , you know the plant is get into quiescency , and this is the time to prune . In the wild , they go through quiescency in the hot , ironic summer and grow actively in the coolheaded wet wintertime ( 1 ) . They can go in and out of quiescence at pretty much any time of year when cultivate indoors , however .
Pruning will involve cutting off the deciduous vine just above the caudex with a clean , sharp cutting tool . Often , The plant will send up another vine within a matter of weeks .
Repotting and Transplanting
Repotting is not something you ’ll require to do too often because of the elephant ’s ft plant ’s slow growth pace . With right care , however , the stock can pass about 5 in ( 12.5 cm ) across in 5 years , so finally , it will need a bigger pot .
Just as the plant start come out of quiescency is a sound clock time to repot these plants . Take care to not damage the immature vine while transplantation . Avoid compress the young land when up - pot this species because the roots will do much better in a light medium .
Although their caudex will be underground for the first twelvemonth or two , the stock of older specimens should not be bury . Instead , plant it just above the land line , shore up by its roots . you may then use your top grooming to get the substrate level with the bottom of the stock .
How to Care for the Tortoise Plant
Apart from the occasional repotting , and planning how you ’d like to grow the vine , tortoise plants are very low criminal maintenance and well-to-do to care for . With or without the help of some floral telegram , the vine that originate from your elephant ’s foot flora can be trained to turn up a dewy-eyed stake , trellis , or even something more natural like an interesting piece of driftwood .
record on to learn more about caring for these plant .
Water
The tortoise works is aboriginal to wry areas and will not live being kept blind drunk . It is best to irrigate these plants well , but earmark the soil to dry out between watering . This should imply watering once every hebdomad or two .
It ’s easy to know when this works will need to be irrigate following this number . If it has a greenish vine , it is actively growing and transpiring , and therefore needs urine . You should provide very little or no water during the plant life ’s hibernating period as this could cause root rot .
When watering , avoid leaving a pool on the top of the caudex where the vine sprouts . Instead , water the dirt directly all around the caudex .
Overwatering is the most common killer of this plant , so always water slenderly .
Sunlight
The tortoise flora is a bit of an interesting case regarding light requirements . These plant tend to turn amongst small bush , they prefer fond spectre . The vine grows upon its neighbour ’ branches to reach the lineal sunlight above .
To replicate these idealistic conditions , strain to keep the stock in the shade while allowing the vine access to bright indirect or even direct light in its growing phase .
Temperature and Humidity
The beautiful works is a species from very blistering , ironic clime . They will grow well in a room with minimal temperature of about 65 ° F ( 18 ° C ) . They can survive much low temperatures , however , and will survive outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11b or equivalent .
Fertilizer
The tortoise plant is a slow - growing species that is adapted to exist in comparatively nutrient - poor condition . Mixing in a little organic compost to the dirt should be all these plants need , but you may prey this with a very dilute liquid fertilizer to stimulate more vigorous ontogenesis .
Pest and diseases
Apart from root putrefaction issues when overwatered , the tortoise flora is mostly disease repellent . They can be susceptible to some coarse houseplants pest like wanderer mites , thrips , aphid , and mealybugs , however .
FAQs
What is the ground mix for Dioscorea elephantipes ?
For Dioscorea elephantipes , employ a well - draining soil mix comprise cactus or succulent potting mixing with perlite or coarse gumption ( a mixing of regular potting filth , granulose sand , and perlite can be efficacious . ) Ensure the container has drainage muddle to prevent boggy soil .
How long does Dioscorea elephantipes take to grow ?
Dioscorea elephantipes , or the Elephant ’s Foot , is a tardily - growing plant , and it may take several years , often a decennary or more , for its distinctive stock to develop and exhibit substantial growth . Patience is required for cultivating this unequaled succulent .
How do you grow Dioscorea elephantipes from seed ?
To grow Dioscorea elephantipes from seed , soak mature seeds in warm water supply for 24 - 48 hours , then plant them 1 - 2 inches deep in a well - draining mix . Keep the grime consistently moist , and be patient , as sprouting can take calendar week to month , with the distinctive caudex formation postulate several years .
Is Dioscorea Elephantipes dioecian ?
Yes , Dioscorea elephantipes is dioecious , with individual plant being either virile or female , requiring the presence of both genders for cum production . Male and female plant are necessary for successful pollenation . alas , this specie seems to produce more male plants than female .
determination
The tortoise plant is majuscule for anyone looking for a unparalleled and unusual menage flora . spring up this mintage is a long - term project , so do n’t be in too much of a hurry and rather enjoy the process !
- image by RukiMedia / depositphotos
