| Positive | palmbob | On Sep 8, 2006, palmbob from Tarzana, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: This plant is a curious tuber that somewhat resembles a turtle's back, and is a popular plant for growing in warm coastal zones, or indoors in colder zones. It is a pretty reliable grower as long as it's not exposed to much frost, or long periods of cool wet weather (easily rots). In Mexico it tends to grow under the shade of other bushes, with the vining portion growing out into the full, hot sun. It is deciduous, losing it's vine when it gets cold, and making another 1-2 a year after that. The 'shell' of the turtle's back grows with each season as each vine production spot makes another 'square' in the overall shell.
Plant this plant very shallowly, if not right on top of the soil- a very well draining mix. Roots tend to grow laterally, not deep, so no point in putting in a deep pot, and that will only increase the chances of rot. It like to be kept a bit on the moist side when it's hot out, so not quite as drought tolerant as it might look (tuber will survive, but vine will die back). Vines can get realy long, and with older, larger plants, can even get heavy... need a large trellis or place of this plant to grow. |
3 members have or want this plant for trade.
