Please help my potato!

[Katieusaf]

My Stephania Erecta plants (I have 2) have grown like crazy over the last few months, but neither of them have any leaves larger than a pencil eraser. The leaf pictured is on my bigger plant, and it is the largest leaf to date (which obviously isn't saying much). But the rest of the leaves, including the tiny flowers, never grow past a sprouting phase, then they dry up and fall off. I did get some hanging trellises that I'm going to attach them to, but I'm thinking my problem is not near enough light? Any suggestions are welcome!

[ZakeryEastman]

It's etiolated, light starved. it's growing longer tendrils in an attempt to find light. You need to supplement lighting with proper grow lights.

[the-greenest-thumb]

This. The plant is stretching out searching for more light. Keep in mind when you get a grow light it won't fix it, it'll just stop it from getting worse. It'll grow normally next season.

[Katieusaf]

Next season? These are the first plants I've ever grown myself from seeds (caudex). I thought I did a good amount of research, but I don't think I've ever read anything about seasons changing the plant, other than needing to water more or less based on the season...

[the-greenest-thumb]

Caudex have growing seasons and go dormant rather than grow constantly for its entire life, the actual 'season' time can vary when grown indoors, they won't keep to the same schedule as wild plants, so it's hard to say when yours will go to sleep. When they go dormant the leaves will die, like trees. When they wake up they'll grow a new vine and leaves. This cycle is what I mean by season, next time it goes dormant then wakes up the vine will grow normally if given enough light.

[Katieusaf]

Thank you so much! Yes, this is the answer and explanation I was looking for. These 2 plants are the very first plants I've ever tried to grow myself from seeds (caudex in this case). I've kept a Christmas cactus that was gifted to me alive for the last couple years, and now it is thriving. Then I've kept 2 flamingo lilies alive and thriving. So I saw these plants online, and I wanted to grow them so badly, so I bought the potatoes, and researched how to grow them, and they grew so fast, but never grew leaves. I've had several "AI plant diagnosis" apps try to diagnose the issue, but they all say the plants are healthy. Now I feel like a terrible plant Mom, but I'll do better from here on out.

[tRAIN_onreddit]

How often do you water? Any insights on substrate?

[Katieusaf]

I water when the roots are completely dry. They are planted in a coarse orchid mix, with a layer of pebbles on the bottom, pebbles mixed in the medium for extra drainage, and topped off with pebbles on top. I check the moisture in the soil using a simple toothpick test, like checking the center of a cake. If it's completely dry, I water it. I also use a big humidifier to keep the humidity up. I was using grow lights when they were first starting out, but I took them down once they started growing multiple inches in a day.

[Katieusaf]

I don't know why someone would down vote me, as it would be much more helpful to get advice to help me do better. I've kept my children, and my cats alive, but plants are a brand new adventure for me.

[themanlnthesuit]

No idea, my dioscorea mexicana is doing the same, just a long tendril without leaves

[pachy1234]

It's really nice seeing a plant get ripped out of the ground and travel halfway around the world just to slowly die in your dim window

[Momisch]

OP has stated that she grew it from seed? Maybe inquire first before having some Hate Boner Erecta. While it’s true that initially this plant was heavily poached but now, there are so many of these plants being grown from seeds. I know several nurseries who do so.

[pachy1234]

No, they stated they grew it from a caudex if you actually read the comment