Hi.

I'm trying to propagate Gynostemma, AKA Jiaogulan.

There are a couple of ways.

The best, but slow way is to start with a mother plant, and as it sends out runners, pin them down in a pot of dirt.

That was slow this spring, then it started to work very well, now it's stopped again.

Maybe it has to do with day-length.

Just the right amount of light does the trick ?

Plants produced in this way are mature immediately and can be propagated again in the same way.

I've read online that a typical method is branch cuttings. Just clipping a runner and rooting it doesn't work well. Although I got it to work twice after seven tries.

But rooting a stem or branch can be done.

The problem?

The branch roots, and you know it's a go when the leaves turn from delicate, light green to thick, and dark, dark green.

The leaves keep growing, and do best in shade. They get thicker, wider, and greener.

But there's no runners.

Without runners, the plant is useless. I need runners so I can harvest leaves for tea.

The question is, can an ivy throw a new runner from the crown once the plant is mature enough ?