Non-orchid ID

[Daethen]

This plant has belonged to my mother in law for over 15 years. It has not bloomed in all that time. She says her mom had one of these and when it bloomed it was beautiful. I recently repotted it for the first time in over 10 years. I would like to find out what it is and what it needs so that some day I can try to get it to bloom. Any help would be great.

[lmartiny]

Looks like a lipstick or a type of Hoya.

[rcb]

It's a Hoya. Probably carnosa. The leaves look very green, can you try to give it a little more light?

[tansyflower]

Hoya. Have you ever seen it flower?

[lmartiny]

Does your MIL remember what the flowers look like? Hoyas I have seen are a cone shaped cluster of little star like flowers. They root very easily by the way. On the other hand, lipsticks (sorry, don't know bio name) have tubular flowers. I agree with others, likely a Hoya. They do like pretty bright light. Makes me think of Selby Gardens in Sarasota, FL. There are Hoyas growing up the palm trees. A beautiful place to visit.

[Daethen]

It sounds just like what she described,Imartiny. She has never seen this one flower. She doesn't do much for her plants other than water them now and then. I believe it is a Hoya. Now I just need to find out what it needs so that it WILL flower.

[rcb]

Jonada, I have 4 carnosas, three of them have bloomed, and they are all under 2 years old. These ones like to both climb and hang down. I've noticed that all the peduncles on mine have formed off the vines that hung down. Typical bloom time is late summer through fall for me.

It really does look like it needs more light. I have mine in between Phal and Catt light levels.

Also, carnosa prefers to dry out in between waterings. I'm not sure if this is necessary for it to bloom, but mine bloomed under this culture.

Very temp tolerant, mine stay outside unless a frost or freeze is predicted.

Be very very careful if you go out searching info on Hoyas. They may be more addictive than orchids lol. A year ago I had about 10, now I have about 30.

[Daethen]

Thanks, Renee. I will be VERY careful. I don't know where I would put 30 Hoyas! Hmmmm might just have to try though.

[Ladyofthelakes]

My one Hoya looks just like yours. But! there are hundreds of Hoyas. I researched them on the net a couple years ago and it was amazing how many different kinds have these dark glossy w/minute spots on them. Mine has pink clusters, (noid) and the fragrance is wonderful. I also have a "Hinda Rope" I have lost some, one by the vent on the fireplace, was burned from the heat. I love them for the foliage.

[lmartiny]

Renee is correct, they can become a new interest. I killed my first one from neglect. (they don't like to dry out THAT much in between watering ) solay sent me a cutting last year and I'm babying it along, slowly getting a fuller plant. (Rene, might be one you said you didn't have) I have a tri-colored hindu rope that grew to the ground and finally gave me one purple cluster of flowers. I posted a photo of its sorry looking state in a shredded coco basket and I still haven't repotted it. Shame on me. I have a third one I found in a sorry KMart garden center. A nice full plant that needed a better home.
Anyone know what the lipstick plants are? They are similar. I'll do a google.

[lmartiny]

Well, that was easy. (searching for my Staples button )
The lip stick is called Aeschynanthus. The one that looks like mine is Aeschynanthus radicans. That is a mouth full.

[Daethen]

Glad you found the id. Now I hope I can get this one to bloom.

[tansyflower]

They rebloom off old flower spikes (?), so have a look for them. They also form new ones as well on newer growth.

I agree with the others, needs higher light.

I have 7 (I think), carnosa, bellina, hindu rope (which is a weird type of carnosa), purpureo-fusca, macgillevray, australis and one with red flowers and nearly black new foliage. I have had my eye out for some new ones, but I don't like buying the teensy cutting sold around here in the shops, so it's a slow process.

[orchidea]

Originally Posted by Daethen

Glad you found the id. Now I hope I can get this one to bloom.

Maybe you should check my thread about Lipstick Plant I jast recently posted if your plant is similar to the one I have:

Lipstick Plant about to bloom!

[Daethen]

This poor thing has NEVER flowered so there are no old spikes. My mother in law has a habit of putting a plant where she likes it and expecting it to do what she wants with an occasional watering. She is also stubborn. I am trying to get her to understand that it should be moved to a window location but it is slow going.

IF I ever get it what it needs and it decides to reward us with flowers I will post pics. I may also faint dead away because this means that I have been allowed to make a change in something!!!! I love her dearly though.

[rcb]

Originally Posted by tansyflower

I have had my eye out for some new ones, but I don't like buying the teensy cutting sold around here in the shops, so it's a slow process.

Tansy, it's funny you say that, as one of the most renowned Hoya collections is in Australia.

But, it's true that the majority of Hoyas for sale are as cuttings. But, as they root so easily, and grow so quickly, they really don't take that long to flower, if given the culture they want.

Much quicker than getting an orchid seedling to flower.

[zaeem]

My guess,its tropical,white clusters of bloom?Climber,then it is Stafanodis,popularly Madagascar Jasmine,Please lookup in web and compare.Thanks