Fishtail Hoya help!

[retroresale]

I bought this poor pitiful hoya today for a couple of bucks. I have a soft spot for sad little plants. At the very least I thought I could take a few cuttings if the plant is too far gone. Anyway, it was infested with little black beetles. I cut off most of the really bad leaves, and cleaned it up a bit. It looks like beetle damage to the leaves, and I have evicted the little buggers. And gave it a good dose of insecticidal soap. Does anyone think it could be anything else? I have it away from all my other plants until I know for sure. The new baby leaves (last two pics) don't show the same damage, and the roots look good. Any help appreciated

[mayres]

I'd just keep it sprayed for a few weeks and I'm betting this plant will come bursting forth with new growth ALL OVER. My experience is that these plants are VERY ROBUST. I've inherited a couple the past year that were left outdoors in the sun and nearly TOAST. With just a wee bit of TLC they have come back with a vengeance. Keep your first photo and then show us an "after" pic at the end of the summer! Looking forward to seeing it.

[Daethen]

Mayres, I would love to see pics of your hoya collection. Of course then I would be looking for hoyas AND orchids or begging for clippings. Maybe you should keep them to yourself.

[retroresale]

Thanks for the advice Mayres!

Daethan, I have found Hoyas to be just as addicting as orchids! I have 5 of them, all different. I had been wanting a fishtail and didn't have the heart to leave this poor little guy sitting under a shelf at the store

I will post an update on the "patient" as he gets better...fingers crossed.

[psyc1210]

What species is the fishtail Hoya? I have about 7 Hoyas right now, and have a few new cuttings on the way to me. I just put together a big shelf and am going to try growing them under fluorescent lights in the basement.

[mayres]

Renee is the REAL hoya queen, but I'm trying my best to follow in her footsteps!
What people who don't grow hoyas should see is what huge variety there is in foliage on these - perhaps I shall have to try and start a thread showing this soon - and then maybe Renee can add to what I have? In the meantime - here is a pic of a bloom in my kitchen window - my wife put this hoya here and it fills most of the window currently - the blooms are exuding a sweet honeydew like substance as you can see!

[retroresale]

The fishtail is Hoya Polyneura. I just love all the different leaf shapes and textures, and the flowering is just a bonus! I have a Rubra (H. carnosa variegata), Chelsea (H. Carnosa), and two Ropes. One is solid green and the other is varigated. (H. Carnosa compacta) I have been looking for a Serpens, I want that one so badly!

Originally Posted by psyc1210

What species is the fishtail Hoya? I have about 7 Hoyas right now, and have a few new cuttings on the way to me. I just put together a big shelf and am going to try growing them under fluorescent lights in the basement.

[retroresale]

Wow Mayres, very nice! I hope I get flowers that beautiful this spring/summer.

[mayres]

If you don't get one before, I have a young serpens that should be big enough for a couple of cuttings by the end of the summer. If you still need/want one by then pm me and I'd be happy to send you some............

[retroresale]

I have one that I grow under lights, and one that is supplemented with floresents. I only have so much prime window realestate in this house. I'm trying to talk my husband into building a sunroom/greenhouse.

[psyc1210]

I have serpens! I haven't bloomed it yet, but it has a few peduncles and really started growing for me this year.

If it ever gets big enough, I can give you a cutting.

I have a couple carnosa, cummingiana, curtisii, kentiana, lacunosa, serpens, and brevialata.

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by retroresale

I have one that I grow under lights, and one that is supplemented with floresents. I only have so much prime window realestate in this house. I'm trying to talk my husband into building a sunroom/greenhouse.

What kind of light are you using for the one that is grown completely under lights?

[retroresale]

That would be so nice!
I have two regular cheap florescent shop lights each with 2 bulbs, for a total of 4 cf plant grow bulbs on them. The orchids love it, in fact I had to move one of them down a shelf because he started to turn purple! I also have a spot light with a cf bulb that makes its way around the plant room pretty regularly.

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by retroresale

That would be so nice!
I have two regular cheap florescent shop lights each with 2 bulbs, for a total of 4 cf plant grow bulbs on them. The orchids love it, in fact I had to move one of them down a shelf because he started to turn purple! I also have a spot light with a cf bulb that makes its way around the plant room pretty regularly.

I got a fixture that has two 32 watt t8 bulbs in it. Do you think that will be sufficient for the Hoyas? I was unsure of going to the 4 bulb fixture.

[rcb]

I agree with Mike, compare your plant at the end of summer to what it is now. These guys just grow and grow and grow.

Polyneura likes to be kept evenly moist, although it is said to "tolerate" drying out. I don't have to check the media on mine to see if it needs watered. When it does the stems droop, I water it and an hour later they are all perky again.

It is also considered a "heavy" feeder in the Hoya world, so it likes more fertlizer than the average Hoya. It is a cool grower. I left mine outside last winter, down to freezing, and I give it brighter light in winter - direct morning sun. In summer, I protect it from the sun a little bit more, it is hanging under a tree. After the care I gave it last winter, it has started penduncles for me.

I'd say go ahead and start a couple cuttings as well. This is one of the easiest to root, literally it takes about two days for it to start rooting.

JoBeth - you've got a couple cuttings of this on the way.

[retroresale]

Might just take you up on that Thanks!!

Originally Posted by mayres

If you don't get one before, I have a young serpens that should be big enough for a couple of cuttings by the end of the summer. If you still need/want one by then pm me and I'd be happy to send you some............

[mayres]

If you want to blow your mind go to google images and type in "hoya foliage" and see what you get!! Maybe even clicking this link will do it?
hoya foliage - Google Search

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by mayres

If you want to blow your mind go to google images and type in "hoya foliage" and see what you get!! Maybe even clicking this link will do it?
hoya foliage - Google Search

Thanks Mike, this just reminds me how much I want a variegated kerrii

[retroresale]

Mine are about a foot from the lights so I would think if you put them up closer it would be similar. You could always add another fixture later if you found they needed more light to bloom.

Originally Posted by psyc1210

I got a fixture that has two 32 watt t8 bulbs in it. Do you think that will be sufficient for the Hoyas? I was unsure of going to the 4 bulb fixture.

[steam fire and ice]

Originally Posted by psyc1210

Thanks Mike, this just reminds me how much I want a variegated kerrii

Thats the hoya I just got. When I googled the flowers I loved it too. I can totally understand why. Although my plant is still just small right now, Im hoping it will really take off.

What do you guys have yours planted in? Mine when I got it from the greenhouse was in spag. moss, and I didnt know if it needs to stay in that or could it go in regular soil.

[BluPeaches]

I only have one and it's a rescue from Lowes, from the pictures it looks like it could be a carnosa.
I really like the kerrii one, very interesting. I'm going to have to keep an eye out or some more.

[mayres]

Mine are all doing great in regular potting mix from the local garden center.

[psyc1210]

Mike, what all species do you have?

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by steam fire and ice

Thats the hoya I just got. When I googled the flowers I loved it too. I can totally understand why. Although my plant is still just small right now, Im hoping it will really take off.

What do you guys have yours planted in? Mine when I got it from the greenhouse was in spag. moss, and I didnt know if it needs to stay in that or could it go in regular soil.

I know, your little kerrii is so cute

I have been putting mine in potting soil. My little serpens has been living in soil for the past 2 years now, and seems to be doing well.

[Daethen]

All right, I am about to start begging for cuttings here!!!!! Quit tempting me.

[mayres]

JoBeth - I have about 16 hoyas currently - nearly half of them came from the Hoya Queen (Renee) as cuttings. About 4-5 of my plants are noids until they bloom. There is not much hybridizing of these, so when they bloom possibly I will be able to identify. Several or my noids are variagated. I have linearis, compacta (both plain green & variagated), tsangii (possibly), bella, wayetti (possibly), tanna island, cembra, polyneura, minibel, curtisii, serpens, cumingiana, pubicalyx, lacunosa, and my original "mother of all hoyas" carnosa!

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by mayres

JoBeth - I have about 16 hoyas currently - nearly half of them came from the Hoya Queen (Renee) as cuttings. About 4-5 of my plants are noids until they bloom. There is not much hybridizing of these, so when they bloom possibly I will be able to identify. Several or my noids are variagated. I have linearis, compacta (both plain green & variagated), tsangii (possibly), bella, wayetti (possibly), tanna island, cembra, polyneura, minibel, curtisii, serpens, cumingiana, pubicalyx, and my original "mother of all hoyas" carnosa!

OH I have been looking for linearis!! I will have to look up tanna island, cembra, and minibel. I don't think I've heard of those. I just got some gorgeous cuttings from Renee and placed them on my new Hoya shelf! I have a shipment from ebay on it's way, and now tonight I placed another shipment for a few more from a place in Delaware. I also am going to pick up some cuttings from a friend nearby that has a few awesome species that I don't yet have.

[steam fire and ice]

Originally Posted by psyc1210

I know, your little kerrii is so cute

I have been putting mine in potting soil. My little serpens has been living in soil for the past 2 years now, and seems to be doing well.

Good to know I can just pot the pretty up and it will be good to go. I hate the thought of leaving it in the moss. I dont think that would be a good choice.

Repeat after me......... Kawaii (Ka-Wa-EE) Japanese for cute..... ha ha ha I am a dork. I cant help it.

[mayres]

My linearis came from Renee. She noted that it is difficult to start/root. I think I had three small cuttings to start and only one of them took (long term - though initially they all seemed to go). It grew from about 6 inches to about 16 inches. Several weeks ago I cut it in half and am now rooting the cut piece. Looks like it is about ready to put back with the original. This is one unique/interesting species - I would highly recommend it as part of your collection as a VERY UNIQUE addition. Little skinny leaves - so much different than everything else!

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by mayres

My linearis came from Renee. She noted that it is difficult to start/root. I think I had three small cuttings to start and only one of them took (long term - though initially they all seemed to go). It grew from about 6 inches to about 16 inches. Several weeks ago I cut it in half and am now rooting the cut piece. Looks like it is about ready to put back with the original. This is one unique/interesting species - I would highly recommend it as part of your collection as a VERY UNIQUE addition. Little skinny leaves - so much different than everything else!

Good to know! When I find it I am definitely buying it! I am getting retusa which has the skinnier leaves as well.

[mayres]

JoBeth - just in case you don't know (which you may) - by "skinny" I mean about an eight of an inch. Approximately an inch long. I just added lacunosa to my list too, which is VERY nice right now - lots of small greenish citrus-like blooms! :-) Another highly recommended one - small leaves too!