Stephania erecta bulb

Stephania Erecta at a glance
The Stephania erecta, also known as Stephania pierrei, comes from Thailand and is characterized by a large, woody bulb called the caudex (this is the potato part) and from which several long, slender, straight stems sprout (the "erecta" part). These stems are topped by shield-shaped green leaves whose whimsical arrangement makes this an attractive and intriguing plant for any indoor garden.

Growth & Size
Stephania erecta can vary in size, but on average it grows to about 1 meter in height. This growth is slow, with some plants taking 20 years to reach full maturity.

The caudex of the Stephania is usually between 13 and 17cm wide. The leaves are usually about two inches in diameter, forming delightful clusters similar to the little umbrellas they put in drinks at tiki bars.

Soil
Caring for Stephania erecta, like any plant, starts from the ground up. The choice of soil to use can greatly affect how well this plant grows (or if it grows at all). Since the caudex naturally helps the plant's roots retain moisture, you don't need to use super loamy, water-retaining soil. Instead, choose a sand-based potting soil labeled for use with cacti and succulents.

Potting
When potting your Stephania erecta, be sure to choose a pot with drainage holes in the bottom.

Steps to pot up:
Wake up your Stephania erecta by soaking the caudex in warm water for 24 hours, with the spot where the stems go grow (the node) pointing upwards.
Some start by putting a thin layer of stones on the bottom of the pot to aid drainage, but others just go ahead and fill the pot 2/3 with soil.
Put the caudex on top of the soil (do not bury it).
Fill the space between the caudex and the pot with more soil (again, do not cover the bulb at the top).
Give it some water and voila! Your plant is potted.

How do you germinate it once it is potted?
This is a question many Stephania erecta owners have. When you buy it, the plant is usually still in its "potato" form: no leaves, no stems, no roots, just a bulb.

For the caudex to sprout those tall, graceful green stems, humidity is the key. Similar to germinating seeds, you can place the potted caudex in a germination dome, which you can make yourself. Just make sure the soil in your pot is moist (but not so wet that it drips or drowns the plant), then cover it with a plastic bag to keep the moisture in.

Keep the caudex in a warm place (between 24 and 26 degrees) where it can receive bright but indirect sunlight.

The time it takes to germinate varies, but it can be anywhere from last a week to a month.

If you find that the top of the caudex is getting too dry, you can sprinkle it with water from a spray bottle, but be careful not to overwater And if you're really a gardening pro and the matter is still if you want to accelerate it more, you can add some Alpha Naphthalene Acetic Acid (ANAA), a growth hormone, and vitamin B1 to the water you add to the soil to stimulate growth.

Repotting
After about three years, the now green and leafy Stephania erecta will have to be repotted. When repotting, be careful to leave the original soil around the roots to reduce the risk of transplant shock, which can be fatal.

Otherwise, the process is much the same as the original repot : Put about an inch of soil in the new pot and let the caudex/roots rest on it. Then simply add more soil to fill the space between the plant and the side of the pot, so that the pot is about 3/4 full.

WateringIt is extremely easy to overwater the Stephania erecta. The caudex retains moisture, so it's best to let the soil dry out almost completely before watering. In winter the plant goes dormant and hardly needs any water, so try to resist the urge to water it more than once a month!

Light
Like like most other houseplants, it likes bright places with indirect sunlight.

Temperature
Stephania erecta, like most people, feels most comfortable at a temperature between 18 and 25 degrees .

Humidity
To avoid brown, dry, crunchy leaves, keep your plant's humidity level at 60 percent or higher. Give the leaves an occasional sprinkle of water from a spray bottle, or build a humidity tray if your house is particularly dry. the care of Stephania erecta. In fact, over-fertilizing can cause a build-up of substances that can be harmful to your plant, so unless you just want to add a little fertilizer every few months, it's best to just leave it alone.