Hi Sara, The leaves do feel very firm and the vines look like they are healthy also. I treated the leaves to a Neem spray because this is supposed to help combat fungus, as well as pests. I leached the soil also in case it had been over fertilized by the grower. Someone has said that over fertilization can cause the black/brown spots as well. It just seems so odd that the spots occur only on the back sides of the leaves. I also put a peeled clove of garlic down in the soil, as it is also supposed have natural fungicidal properties. Yet another person has said to rub cinnamon on the affected leaves. Within a month or so of the cinnamon treatment, the spots may fade. Either nothing will happen with all these treatments, or some VERY interesting things will happen.:) I won't throw the plant away, just cuz I'm curious to see how it all turns out. I will, however, isolate it from my other plants in case whatever is ailing it is contagious. Thanks, Sara, for your input. GH

Hi Ian, Had you ever changed the earlier mix? That may have been a problem there too. It certainly looks much better, great save. Pardon me, but why would you want to cut this stem? Especially since Pepe says he can see a peduncle on its tip (which I can't see from here). Wouldn't you want to give that a chance to bloom? I know I would. I have found these long, crazy Kerrii stems are pliable when young & can be lightly curled, say around a trellis or wire hoop. Tho' that may cause it to bleed white sap, looks like Elmer's glue. A spray of water will stop the white sap from leaking out further.

I also have a small but rooted serpens cutting

Beautiful :) I read an older post on here about how it’s pretty impressive to have a stemmed plant grow from just one of these leaves. They‘re gorgeous plants, looks like yours is growing ”fast and furious” (I couldn’t help myself haha...) Chloé