Hoya Plant

[sandra]

Interesting observation. These are 2 Hoya plants (succulents), one veriegated, one not. They typically need cacti mix. I've never been able to keep them staying plump and as you can see, the one of the left is dehydrated looking, and not for the lack of under-watering. I repotted the one on the right last week in coir and look at the difference now. Today, the veriegated Hoya goes into coir; the stuff is great!

[mayres]

Oh Sandra! I have NEVER seen such sad looking hoyas! (no offense). Poor babies.......
What happened to them?
Surely the leaves have not always looked like that? I must post a pic of one I have this weekend - It has grown so large I cannot hardly carry it outside to do maintenance work on it occastionally.

[BillC]

Hi Sandra, please post a pic of the of the plant after it has established in the coir. The other plant looks in very good health and I am sure you are pleased with the result. So I say again, "Let's hear it for Mike's Magic Mix". I have all my plants in coir and they are fine.

You new avatar is in the best of taste, but I pefer the one of you up the tree. Just think of the amount of coir one could collect from that tree!!

Bill

[sandra]

I know Mike, neither have I seen anything so sad! I know how huge these get. No, the leaves never before (until recently) looked so.....well, sad. I had 2 in 16 inch hanging pots, twisting, turning, overlapping, hanging several feet...in my other residence...that I gifted to the new tenants. I would have taken them with me except room is a precious commodity...temporarily! These are cuttings from those plants, in 4 and 5 inch pots. Ever since I got here, I haven't had luck with them BUT as I said, the coir seems to have perked up the one and I just finished repotting the other.

OK, let's see yours. Am I going to be jealous? I can predict the answer here.....

[sandra]

Originally Posted by BillC

Hi Sandra, please post a pic of the of the plant after it has established in the coir. The other plant looks in very good health and I am sure you are pleased with the result. So I say again, "Let's hear it for Mike's Magic Mix". I have all my plants in coir and they are fine.

You're too kind Bill, trying to protect my feelings here, very sweet of you. Thank you. I am glad to have found out how excellent coir is for more than just orchids though.

Originally Posted by BillC

You new avatar is in the best of taste, but I pefer the one of you up the tree.

But of course you do Bill.

[mayres]

Sandra - here is my hoya two years ago - it is probably twice this big today - have not taken any pictures of it lately. I also have 4-5 smaller ones. When it blooms it fills the entire room with sweetness - really draws in the sugar ants too (unfortunately). It is a most fascinating plant in many ways - grows long vines 3-4 feet long seemingly overnight!

[pikevi]

Are sandra's and mayres's plants the same?

They look so different.

I have the plant(s) mayres posted but I did not know what it was.. A friend at work brought me a few 'sticks' and I just stuck them in a hanging basket of 'soil mix'.

She just said that the flowers are scented.

The flowers look beautiful, mayres. I will post a picture of the plant as soon as there is light outside.

If what I have are the same I may have to re-pot as per your suggestion.

[sandra]

Mike, while the ones I posted are Hoyas, they are completely different Hoya plants than yours. There are many different types of Hoyas. The ones I posted also get very long and leggy but they're different. As well, mine will never get huge because I have them in small pots and like with most plants, they have sensors that will keep them from growing longer and spreading out. I have another Hoya plant, very different from the one I posted (and different from yours) in a 12 inch pot but it's not hanging and won't flower until I move it to another location. These 2 that I posted will flower in small pots (flowers are very different from the ones on yours). I repotted the veriegated one yesterday and already, it's looking much better. I'll post another pic in a couple of days to show the difference it's already made being in the coir.

P.S. Yours is gorgeous!

[mayres]

Sandra - are you saying that yours are supposed to have those curled up leaves? Never seen a hoya like that - looks diseased or mutated if you think it is supposed to be like mine and Pikevi's. I have variegated ones too that are smaller - and yes, they will not get any bigger than the pots you put them into and allow them to grow - I've noticed this as well. Here is my big one today - not the best pic but you get the idea.
I have mine in a standard potting mix - they seem to do well where sunny and warm.
Here is a link to a grower of Hoyas in Hawaii along with lots of really good pics of some of the different varieties. See what you have to look forward to Pikevi!? You will have to post a pic when yours blooms - yes, very sweet and strong! http://www.bigislandgrowers.com/ghp/AH.php
Enjoy! mike

[BillC]

Mike, would you give me your opinion if the attached pic is your plant? It looks very similar to me and the name is Hoya carnosa. I think your plant is most attractive and I am thinking of purchasing one.

Sandra, I had no idea that there existed so many varieties of Hoya. Looking forward to seeing your pics. of the plants when they bloom.

Pic. courtesy Burncos nursery

Bill

[mayres]

Looks very close. PM me your address if you are interested and I will send you a cutting in the mail. I sent my sister one a year ago and it arrived in great condition and is already growing like crazy......

[sandra]

Bill, the photo you attached looks like Hoya carnosa but it may be a hybrid of another cross. There are hundreds of species of Hoyas. Unfortunately with this plant, exact identification is usually not correct.

Yes Mike, I'm saying that my plant is supposed to look all curled up and mutated, LOL...except for the dehydration! I've attached a photo of one day later and it's already perking up remarkably fast. The other photo is what the plant looks like all grown up. My plant is called a Hoya Rope....makes sense! Also called Hoya carnosa compacta. The flowers are similar in that they grow in clusters but different colors, mostly pinks, yellows.

Diseased you think? Actually, the first time I ever saw these, my initial impression was they looked like brains. I've always been attracted to the unusual, what can I say? If I get these to flower, I'll update you.

[sandra]

pikevi, yours is also a carnosa, I believe. I wouldn't think you'd have to repot it. They grow well in regular potting soil! I'm far from expert on these but I'm pretty sure you're safe. I know they like to dry out somewhat between waterings. Your species grows much faster than mine and you'll probably have flowers sooner than you think.

[pikevi]

Thank you mayres and sandra.

At least now I know the name of the plant

I am not sure when I will see blooms. If and when they do I will post the picture.

[mayres]

Thanks for the hoya enlightenment Sandra! I have never guessed it was supposed to look like that. I will have to keep my eyes peeled and see if I see any similar plants around the nurseries in my neck of the woods - out of curiousity.

[Jenna]

Oooh, Hoyas and double OoOoOh, Hoya compacta "Hindu Rope"! Me favorite plant! (not carnosa compacta, just compacta)

One thing said about them that was mentioned that I disagree with (only because I've read it many times - it's not because I'm brilliant, lol) is that they need a larger pot. Hoyas LOVE to be rootbound. When they are, they put less energy in growing more roots (as they love to be all squished) and more energy in length and flowering.

Most Hoyas like to be dry. Like, water them and let the soil dry out a bit so that the first inch of soil is dry to the touch, then water them. However, the Hoya Compacta is different. They like to be wetter and don't dig being dry.

Blurry close up shot is of the new growth on the variegated plants that are a beautiful pink and maroon.


Hoya with the pink stems is a "strawberries and cream". I've seen it debated whether or not this is a compacta or a carnosa. I think it's lovely, either way.


Some of my Hindu Ropes (the top two in too big of pots - they've been put in smaller ones since this picture).


Hindu ropes with orchid sandwiched between them (same two too big potted ones)

[mayres]

Don't take offense but I still prefer the "staight" leaved type. What kind of flowers do these curled up versions have? So far I have only seen the foliage.

[parrot parent]

How do you all get your hoyas to bloom? I have had mine for 3 years. I keep it pot bound. Still not a single bloom. What to do?

Thanks - Jen

[Jenna]

No offense taken. Most people, when they see the plant, think it's the coolest thing... or they're just being polite for my sake, lol.

I have only had mine for a year so they have not bloomed yet. I am yanking a picture off of Google to share...





Jennifer, I haven't had one bloom yet as mine are too young but I hear changing windows works sometimes. It may just not be happy where it is. I'll see if I can't find some better tips for you and get back to this thread in the next day or two.

**

I just bought some new planters for my Hindu Ropes. I've changed their pots so often, I'm surprised I haven't killed them, lol. But I just found THE perfect shallow terracotta planters for them! I'll have to take a picture of them when I'm finished repotting them.