Photo Hoya (Hoya) is an exotic plant native to Southeast Asia , growing in India, the Polynesian islands, and the Australian continent. The common name is wax ivy.
The tropical flower Hoya belongs to the subfamily Lastovnevye (Lastovniaceae). Depending on the variety, it occurs in nature in the form of herbaceous vines, epiphytes and shrubs.
Distinctive characteristics of the evergreen hoya plant are dark green glossy leaves (hairy, bare) and beautiful voluminous umbrella-shaped inflorescences (pink, white, yellow, burgundy).
The climbing vine can reach a length of 2-10 m, the height of the shrubs does not exceed 60 cm. The perennial is characterized by an average growth rate of 20-30 cm per year.
| Average growth rate, 20-30 cm per year. |
| Blooms from early summer to early autumn. |
| The plant is easy to grow |
| Perennial |
Hoya: appearance and other characteristic features
Hoya, also known by the nickname “wax ivy,” is a genus of evergreen vines belonging to the Apocynaceae family. Most of its almost three hundred representatives can be found in Southeast Asia, India, China, and on the islands separating the Indian and Pacific oceans. Some hoyas appear as compact bushes, but this configuration is relatively rare.
The first hoya was discovered in 1770 by scientists Solender and Banks, traveling as part of James Cook's expedition. The name of the plant was given by Scottish physicist Robert Brown, creator of the theory of Brownian motion. In this way he perpetuated the memory of his friend, Thomas Hoy, who for many years successfully grew tropical plants in the greenhouses and winter gardens of the Duke of Northumberland.
In nature, Hoya is an epiphytic plant. It lives in forests and undergrowth, using tall trees as support for its lashes. She doesn’t need anything else from her “master”; she is not a parasite. If a suitable tree is not found, the vine climbs along the ground. On average, it reaches 10 m in length.
Hoya in nature is an epiphyte that uses tree trunks as support.
Hoya flowers look very unusual, collected in dense corymbose or spherical inflorescences. They have the shape of regular five-pointed stars with a diameter of 1–2 cm, inside of which there is a “crown” - a smaller star of a contrasting shade. The surface of the petals is fleecy, they seem to be cut out of velvet. The color range is very wide - from cream to dark purple, which from a distance appears black, including various tones of yellow, pink, red, peach and silver-green.
A hoya flower in the shape of a regular five-pointed star may seem artificial
More than twenty inflorescences can form on an adult vine at the same time. They emit a rich, pleasant aroma, especially intensifying at night. The “sweet” smell evokes associations with marshmallows and caramel. Not everyone likes it, sometimes even causing persistent migraines. Small droplets of a thick translucent substance on the petals are nectar, and not some kind of exotic disease. Each flower lasts 15–20 days.
Inflorescences in the shape of an almost regular ball immediately attract attention
Many gardeners are afraid to have hoya at home, knowing about the signs and superstitions associated with ivy. Allegedly, the plant “survives” from the house of men dear to the owner. Even if you believe this, hoya has absolutely nothing to do with ivy, which is part of the Araliaceae family.
The teachings of Feng Shui, on the contrary, highly value hoya, considering it a plant that creates a cozy and comfortable environment in the house, settles quarrels and helps spouses forgive each other's grievances. It is recommended to place it in the bedroom. Recently, “green hearts” - hoyas wrapped around a support of the appropriate shape - have become popular as a gift for Valentine's Day.
Hoya will fit organically into any interior, here you are limited only by your own imagination
The flowering period stretches from May to October, but the rest of the time, hoya also looks pretty. Its young shoots have a chocolate-purple hue; as they mature, they become brownish-gray and become woody. The leaves are fleshy, hard to the touch, elliptical in shape with a pointed tip, located opposite. Young ones have a characteristic glossy sheen, while adults are matte. The leaf length is 6–8 cm, width is 3–5 cm. It is for their texture that the plant received the nickname “wax ivy.”
Hoya leaves are also very decorative, but still this is not the main advantage of the plant
Video: description of Hoya
Types of plants with beautiful leaves
Hoya flower - what the varieties Carnosa, Kerry, Bella, fleshy, multiflora look like
Perhaps all types of hoya have beautiful leaves. Houseplants may have tri-colored, glossy, curled foliage. Several plants are distinguished by their unusualness and beauty:
- Kerry. Has unusual heart-shaped leaves;
- Hoya variegata. Leaves with cream edging;
- fleshy - the most common hoya among gardeners. The leaves are glossy, often speckled. Large and really meaty.
Hoya Lacunosa
All hoyas are beautiful in their own way. They braid the frame well. It should be remembered that only young shoots of the plant can be directed. Then they harden and no longer respond to the direction of growth. If the growth of such a plant is left to chance, then the shoots will crawl into any crack found next to the flower pot.
Note! For some reason, it has long been believed that hoya should not be kept in the house. Supposedly she drives men away. There is also a sign that hoya in a rich man’s house means ruin, but these are just groundless signs that do not come true.
Types popular among amateur gardeners
Until recently, out of all the variety, only fleshy and beautiful hoya was grown at home. Now many more species have been “cultivated” and very interesting breeding hybrids have appeared. Most often in apartments you can find the following plants:
- Hoya fleshy (carnosa). A liana 5–6 m long, requiring support for normal development. The leaves are medium-sized, up to 5 cm. Silver-gray strokes and spots on the dark green surface are normal. The flowers are pinkish-white and very fragrant. The plant is unpretentious and can easily tolerate drought, lack of natural light and cool wintering. It became the basis for many breeding hybrids - Crimson Queen (thin beige or pinkish border on dark green leaves), Tricolor Exotica (bright scarlet flowers, leaves covered with cream and pink stains).
- Hoya miniature (compacta). Small, seemingly slightly crumpled or curled leaves with a faint pattern of a lighter shade. Natural hybrid of Hoya fleshy. In turn, it became the “parent” of the varieties Regalis (white border on lime-colored leaves, changing to a reddish shade in the bright sun), Mauna Loa (dark green leaves with a yellowish spot in the center).
- Hoya beautiful (bella), also known as lanceolate. Intensively branching shrub with thin drooping shoots. Ideal for growing in an ampelous manner. The leaves are lanceolate, small (4–5 cm in length). The inflorescence contains 7–9 snow-white flowers with a bright purple crown. The plant is thermophilic (even in winter the temperature should not fall below 16–18ºС), and suffers greatly from overwatering. In optimal conditions it blooms all year round.
- Hoya multiflora (multiflora). A liana in need of support. Leaves with pronounced veins, about 10 cm long, 3–4 cm wide. Light green spots on them are normal. The flowers are pale yellow, emit a pleasant citrus aroma, the “rays” of the inner star are strongly curved outward. Each inflorescence has 30–40 buds. Hybrids - Speckles (leaves with light green spots and ivory-colored flowers), Falling Star (leaves about 15 cm long and petals of a very interesting shape, similar to the tail of a comet).
- Hoya regal, also majestic (imperialis). Liana with pubescent shoots, leaf petioles and petals. The leaf length is 15–20 cm, the diameter of the dark scarlet flower is 8–10 cm. The “natural” hybrid is Hoya Rausha with bright pink-red petals (this color is known to artists as scarlet). Selected varieties - Alba (greenish-white flowers), Palwan (yellowish-red), Borneo Red (bright purple).
- Hoya concave or pitted (lacunosa). Well suited for growing in the ampel method. The shoots are brick-colored, the leaves are 5–7 cm long, dark green, diamond-shaped. The edges are slightly curved inward. The inflorescence is umbellate. The petals are cream, the crown is yellowish.
- Hoya Kerry (kerrii). Liana with very long lashes. It is recommended to point them upward or wrap them around a support so that they do not tip the pot over. Leaf length varies from 5 cm to 15 cm. Flowers are collected in spherical inflorescences of 15–25 pieces. The shade of the petals depends on the quality of lighting. They can be pinkish, pastel yellow, lemon. An adult plant secretes more nectar, which colors them crimson, scarlet, and chocolate. Hoya Kerry variegata differs from its parent in having cream-colored leaves.
- Hoya pale (acuta). A liana with light green leaves 8–10 cm long and 4 cm wide. The petals are pale yellow, the crown is scarlet. The aroma is very pleasant, unobtrusive, lemon-mint. The flowers are small (1 cm in diameter), collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences of 40–50 pieces.
- Hoya Shepherd (shepherdii). The leaves are large (12 cm long and 2–3 cm wide), thin, but hard and shiny. The central vein is highly developed, so they are concave, boat-like. Each inflorescence contains 12–15 flowers with a diameter of about 1.5 cm. The petals are snow-white with pinkish tips, the crown is ivory-colored.
- Hoya fraterna (fraterna). Quite capricious, rarely blooms at home. Leaves are up to 15 cm long, almost round. The petals are red-pink, the crown is bright yellow.
- Hoya longifolia. Subshrub-epiphyte. The shoots are thin, the leaves are large (up to 18 cm in length and 1 cm in width), similar to belts. The flowers are small, creamy in color, the crown is dark scarlet. The aroma is weak. The most frost-resistant of the genus.
- Hoya Englera (engleriana). It is distinguished by very small leaves (1.5 cm in length and 0.5 cm in width). The flowers are 2 cm in diameter, pubescent, collected in inflorescences of 4–5 pieces. The petals are white, the crown is lilac-red.
- Hoya southern (australis), sometimes not quite correctly called Australian. A liana whose shoots become woody with age. The average length is about 6 m. The leaves are small, 6–8 cm. The buds are collected in inflorescences of 20–25 pieces. The petals are glossy, snow-white with a crimson base, and gradually bend back.
- Hoya linearis. A long vine with thin shoots and pubescent leaves of a greenish-gray color. The petioles are very short. Petals are yellowish-cream, fleecy. Flowering occurs in early and mid-autumn. The buds release the aroma of vanilla. Unlike its “relatives”, it loves abundant watering.
- Hoya pubicalyx. The stems are long and curly. The leaves are covered with silvery spots and streaks. The flowers are 1.5–2 cm in diameter and last about two weeks. The color of the petals varies from pinkish-white to dark purple. There are many breeding hybrids - Red Button, Silver Pink, Chimera, Leenie, Philippines Black and others.
Natural hoyas: varieties in the photo
Hoya fluffy cup is the basis of many very effective breeding hybrids
Hoya lineara is very moisture-loving
Flowers on Hoya southern last for about two weeks, during which time the petals gradually bend back
Hoya Englera has very small leaves.
Hoya longifolia can withstand short-term exposure to low negative temperatures. Flowering Hoya fraternal at home is an almost exclusive sight.
The petals of Hoya Shepherd are densely pubescent
Hoya pale exudes a very pleasant unobtrusive aroma
The shade of the petals of Hoya Kerry varies greatly depending on the lighting. Hoya concave stands out against the background of its “relatives” with an interesting shape of leaves. The petals of Hoya Rausha are much paler than those of the “parent”
Hoya regal owes its name to its unusually large flowers with petals in the shade of royal purple.
Hoya multiflorum is distinguished by its unusual “star” shape.
Hoya beautiful is very well suited for growing in an ampelous manner.
Hoya miniature - a very interesting spontaneous mutation
Hoya fleshy - one of the first “domesticated” species
Selected hybrids often look more attractive than “natural” hoyas due to larger flowers and variegated leaves.
Photo gallery: achievements of breeders
Hoya Philippines Black - very unusual and spectacular flowers
Hoya Leenie - very delicate yellow petals Hoya Chimera - dark scarlet petals stand out against the background of bright green foliage
Hoya Silver Pink - crimson petals with a contrasting silver-white border
Hoya Red Button is one of many hybrids bred from Hoya fluffy cup
Hoya Kerry variegata differs from its “parent” by variegated yellow-green leaves
Hoya Borneo Red has rare purple petals.
Hoya Palwan - a combination of pink and peach - like a sunset on the tropical island after which the hybrid is named
Hoya Alba - petals of a very pure snow-white color Hoya flowersFalling Stars look like a comet approaching a star
Hoya Speckles - a very elegant and graceful hybrid
The color of the spots on the leaves of Hoya Mauna Loa evokes associations with the moon in Hawaii. Hoya Regalis - variegated leaves of a bizarre shape.
Hoya Tricolor Exotica - a very impressive combination of colors
Hoya Crimson Queen is a popular hybrid bred from Hoya fleshy
Varieties
Carnosa
Description - this species has dark green leaves, on which there are inclusions of white to silver shades. There are variegated varieties that may have multi-colored stripes in the center and along the edges of the leaf pulp. The inflorescence of the plant is collected in a cluster, which can have up to twenty flowers of white shades with red in the middle.
Features - Hoya flowers can secrete nectar so much that it can drip. This species also has a feature associated with daylight hours. By the evening, the aroma from flowers may be more intense than during the day or in the morning. The plant is also capable of forming new inflorescences directly on the old one.
You can watch a review of Hoya Carnose in this video:
Kerry
Description - this type of plant will most need additional support, since the leaves are quite large in diameter and can be half the size of an adult’s palm. This plant is also called “green heart” because the leaves are heart-shaped. There are also variegated varieties. The inflorescences are white and red.
Features - usually for Valentine's Day, hoya is sold in pots of one large leaf . If you take care of the leaf, water it or make a small greenhouse, then soon it will give roots and new shoots, and after a while it will grow into a large and beautiful vine.
You can watch a review of Hoya Kerry in this video:
Compacta
Description - this species is a variety of the Hoya carnosa species. The dark green leaves have a curled appearance and can therefore be associated with curled hair. There are varieties that have two-color leaves. Leaves grow on liana branches. The inflorescences are small and compact, as is clear from the name of the plant. They have a pale pink tint.
Features - the main feature is the type of foliage of this species. It is extremely rare to find such curled leaves as those of this plant .
You can watch a review of the Hoya Compact in this video:
Lacunosa
Description - this species is otherwise called “curved” because the leaves are slightly curved at the edges, it has dark green foliage with white specks. The inflorescences in the cluster are white, round, “hairy” with a small star in the middle, yellow to cream in color. This vine grows very quickly in length.
Features - the advantage of Lacunosa is the delicate aroma from the flowers , which can fill the entire space of the home.
Linearis
Description - the type of plant has intricately shaped leaves that look more like sharp needles. The foliage is gray-green in color with a small edge. The inflorescences are cluster-shaped, cream and white in color, with small fibers.
Features - emits an aroma that can be compared to the smell of vanilla or lily .
Multiflora
Description - Hoya multiflora, or as it is also called multi-flowered, grows in the form of a bush, unlike many other species that have an ampelous shape. The leaves are large and resemble the foliage of a coffee tree. Inflorescences in the form of a pointed large yellow star and a small, white one located in the center.
Features - the plant is very suitable for beginner gardeners , as it is quite unpretentious in care and can bloom all year round.
Obowata
Description - the plant has large, round leaves of a rich green color. The surface of the leaves is covered with silvery inclusions. The inflorescences are cluster-shaped with up to thirty small flowers of a soft pink hue for the large “star” and red-crimson for the small one.
Features - the aroma from flowering resembles the smell of a rose. The plant is easy to care for and blooms profusely . It can also be easily rooted.
Bella
Description - the leaves have an elongated shape similar to a rounded arrowhead of light green color. The inflorescences are small, with seven to nine flowers in a cluster. The color of the large “star” is white, and the small one is burgundy or crimson.
Features: long flowering time . Each “umbrella” of inflorescence can please the eye for more than a week.
Flavida
Description: The leaves are smooth, oval-shaped and pale green in color. The inflorescences are yellow-orange with a small star in the middle.
Features - the aroma is very weak . With prolonged exposure to the sun, the foliage may turn slightly red, which is considered normal.
How to create an optimal microclimate for a plant
Creating an optimal microclimate for hoya is not difficult. It is more difficult to maintain these conditions and immediately respond to the slightest manifestations of plant dissatisfaction by regulating temperature, air humidity and lighting.
Table: optimal conditions for growing hoya
| Factor | Recommendations |
| Location | In summer - a window facing east or west, in winter - south. After the hoya gains color, you cannot stir or turn the pot - the plant reacts by dropping its buds. He is gradually accustomed to any new conditions. The room is regularly ventilated, but the hoya should not be taken outside. |
| Lighting | Bright diffused light with shading from direct sunlight. In winter, it will be necessary to add additional lighting, extending the daylight hours to 10–12 hours. Plants with dark green, monochromatic leaves do well in partial shade, which cannot be said about variegated varieties. |
| Temperature | The optimal temperature in summer is 18–25ºС, in winter – 15ºС. Prolonged “cold weather” (10Cº and below) provokes leaf fall. Hoya beautiful tolerates frosts the worst; it requires elevated winter temperatures (about 18ºC). |
| Humidity | It is not a critical indicator, but periodically sprayed hoya develops and blooms better. Make sure that water does not get on the petals and buds. For sanitary purposes, the leaves are wiped weekly with a wet sponge. |
Hoya is well suited for growing in an ampel method; it is advisable to hang the pots next to the window
Choosing a pot and soil
A small pot is enough for this plant to thrive. Its usual environment is large trees and rocks. Therefore, when planting this flower at home, you need to plant it in small containers where air can flow well. In the photo you can see how hoya looks great in a small pot.
It doesn’t matter what the container is made of, any material will do. The soil where the plant will move should preferably be loose, with the addition of humus from the leaves. As a rule, many types of hoya grow quietly in any soil. But some varieties require limestone in the substrate.
Proper transplantation of Hoya
Hoya does not need annual transplants, although it grows quite quickly. Those plants that are cramped in a pot bloom more profusely. One procedure every 2-3 years is enough. If the gardener is more interested in lush greenery, on the contrary, you need to replant the vine every year, purchasing containers a little “for growth”.
If you think that the hoya needs support, place it in the pot in advance, and not when the plant has already been replanted
It is important that the Hoya pot is completely new. Even carefully washed, used containers will not suit her. The diameter, based on what is more important, greens or flowers, increases by 5–7 or 2–3 cm, respectively.
Hoya is undemanding when it comes to soil quality. The soil should be light, neutral or slightly acidic, with good aeration:
- coarse sand, peat chips, fertile turf, humus (1:1:1:1);
- light loam, leaf humus, garden soil (2:1:1);
- soil for orchids and universal substrate for flowering indoor plants (1:1).
Hoya is undemanding when it comes to soil quality; a universal soil mixture is quite suitable for it.
There is nothing complicated about the transplant itself:
- Place a layer of pebbles or expanded clay 4–5 cm thick on the bottom of the pot. Cover it with fresh substrate, filling about a quarter of the volume. If necessary, install a support. It is undesirable to use bamboo sticks - they often bend and break under the weight of the green mass, and sometimes rot.
- Water the plant, and after 30–40 minutes remove it from the pot. Try not to destroy the earthen ball.
- Transfer it to a new container. Add substrate around the edges. Moisten moderately. For the first 2–3 weeks, be careful with watering and protect the plant from direct sunlight.
Hoya is transplanted using the transshipment method.
Video: how to transplant hoya
Watering a flower
When it is very hot, this flower needs to be watered abundantly, because it is precisely at this time that it grows. But in autumn and winter this is done less. Watering should be done with settled and soft water when the soil on top dries out.
To induce flowering, the plant can be placed in a bucket filled with warm water at 30-35°C. You need to fill it to the top of the pot and leave it there for 1 hour. After this, the container with the flower is removed and placed in the place where it already stood.
Important nuances of plant care at home
Hoya is deservedly considered a rather unpretentious plant, but care for its different species varies slightly. Therefore, you need to know exactly which variety you own.
Watering
Hoya is a fairly large tropical plant, but it absolutely cannot tolerate excess moisture. Most species require moderate watering (with the exception of linear). If the hoya leaves are dense, similar to succulents, the top layer of soil should dry out 2–3 cm between procedures. For varieties with thin, hard or pubescent leaves, the earthen ball is constantly maintained in a slightly moist state.
Fertilizer application
Hoya is fed only during the active growing season, from early spring to mid-autumn. Any complex fertilizers for flowering indoor plants or special products for succulents will be suitable. It is watered with a nutrient solution twice a month. The composition must contain nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. After each procedure, it is advisable to loosen the soil in the pot.
Since hoya spends a lot of energy on flowering and growing green mass, it needs regular feeding.
Pruning an indoor flower
The question of whether hoya needs pruning is something every gardener decides for himself. The only rule is that you should never cut off the “stumps” remaining in place of the fallen flowers. Next year, it is on them that new buds are formed.
The shoots of the vine can be twisted around the supports. When grown using the hanging method, they are periodically shortened to the desired length. It is useful to cut every third vine by about half in the fall - flowering will be more abundant.
To stimulate branching, bushy hoyas are pinched annually, removing 2–3 upper growth buds on each shoot. The first time the procedure is carried out after the appearance of the fourth leaf. If a crown of a certain configuration is formed, all the lashes that violate the harmony are cut off.
Hoya randomly growing in different directions looks rather untidy
Bloom
To stimulate flowering, at the end of spring and at the beginning of autumn, a pot of hoya is dipped in water heated to 30–40ºC for 2–2.5 hours. Then the substrate must be dried thoroughly. If you are “bathing” the entire plant, reduce the procedure time to 25–30 minutes.
The abundance of hoya flowering often depends on providing a cool winter.
Rest period
Providing the opportunity to “rest” in winter is the key to abundant flowering next year. The beginning of the dormant period is indicated by a slowdown in the growth of the vine. This usually happens when daylight hours are shortened.
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If there is additional lighting, Hoya can do without winter “rest”. Otherwise, the plant needs to be kept cool (if it is not Hoya beautiful), reduce watering and refuse fertilizing. A lack of moisture in winter leads to the fact that the vine blooms more abundantly the following year.
Hoya in different seasons
This plant blooms even in winter. If you want to create such beauty for yourself, then you need to prepare the flower for this in September. To do this, place the container with the plant on the east side.
At the beginning of winter, the flower is watered very little, and as a result, flowers appear on the plant. The most ideal temperature for this period of time is 15 degrees Celsius.
There are also types of hoya that do not like coolness; these include multiflora. If the temperature is below 20 degrees, then it loses leaves and flowers.
As a rule, winter is an opportunity for Hoya to rest, and at this time it is better to water and fertilize it less. It blooms in the warmest times of the year, just when it needs constant care. And all this time the flower needs light.
Typical mistakes of a beginning gardener
Hoya can tolerate many mistakes in care, but they negatively affect its decorative properties. The lack of flowering clearly signals that the plant is unhappy with something. But there are other “signs” that you need to be able to interpret.
Table: how Hoya reacts if it is not cared for correctly
| What does the plant look like? | What is the reason |
| Lack of flowering. | Warm wintering, excess fertilizer, lack of light, pruning of flower stalks. |
| Yellowing leaves. | High temperature and/or lack of natural light. |
| Falling buds and leaves. | Moving the pot to another place, sudden changes in living conditions, cold drafts. |
| Drying and falling leaves. | High temperature and/or excessively dry air in the room. |
| Leaves covered with dry spots. | Sunburn. The plant suffered from direct sunlight. |
| Leaves covered with vague light spots. | Lack of light or watering with cold, hard water. |
| Curling, drying leaves | Unsuitable temperature - too low or too high. |
| Slow growth, pale small leaves. | Lack of fertilizing or use of inappropriate fertilizers. Most often the cause is nitrogen deficiency. |
| Blackening bases of shoots. | Low temperature combined with frequent and abundant watering. |
| Dying shoots. | Stagnation of water in the pot. |
Drying hoya leaves indicate that the plant is too hot or the air in the room is too dry.
general information
Hoya is a genus of tropical evergreen plants of the Lastovniaceae family, named after the English gardener Thomas Hoy, who worked in the greenhouses of the noble Duke of Northumberland.
Plants of this genus differ in appearance, origin and color of flowers, but they all have certain similar features. Thus, all hoyas are characterized by fairly rapid growth, endowed with green, pointed, oval-shaped leaves and lignified shoots with aerial roots.
Their flowers are fragrant, bisexual, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences located on stem branches.
Common diseases and pests
With proper care and in optimal conditions, Hoya almost never suffers from attacks by pathogenic fungi and insect pests. Problems only begin when the grower forgets about the plant. Simple preventive measures will help reduce the risk of infection to a minimum:
- quarantine for newly acquired indoor plants;
- inspecting the collection at least once every 5–7 days and immediately isolating all presumably infected specimens with suspicious symptoms;
- regular ventilation of the room, cleaning leaves from dust;
- using only disinfected soil, clean dishes and tools;
- compliance with the rules for caring for the plant, especially with regard to watering.
Table: diseases and pests from which hoya suffers
| Disease or pest | How it manifests itself | How to fight |
| Powdery mildew | A thin layer of whitish coating on the leaves. Then they lose their tone and turn yellow. |
|
| Root rot | Blackening bases of shoots. The fabrics soften, the soil in the pot becomes covered with a thin layer of mold, and a putrid smell appears. |
|
| Shchitovka | Hard brownish tubercles on the leaves that quickly increase in volume. The surrounding tissues acquire a red-yellow tint. |
|
| Aphid | Colonies of small yellow-green or black-brown insects clinging to the tops of shoots, the underside of young leaves, and buds. |
|
| Whitefly | Small whitish butterflies that fly up from a flower whenever you touch it. |
|
| Spider mite | Thin cobwebs entwining leaf petioles and shoots. On the underside of the sheet there are small beige dots and vague light spots. |
|
| Root nematode | Small spherical swellings on the roots, black on the cut. The leaves turn yellow, then turn red and become covered with black spots. |
|
Photo gallery: diseases and pests affecting hoya
You can accurately verify the presence of a root nematode only if you remove the plant from the pot
Plants affected by spider mites are treated with special preparations - acaricides
The whitefly is very partial to the color yellow; this “predilection” is used in the manufacture of homemade traps
Aphids are one of the most common pests that feed on the sap of indoor plants; hoya is also included in its area of interest.
The durable shell of the scale insect makes it invulnerable to most folk remedies.
Root rot can only be treated in the early stages of the disease.
It seems that powdery mildew is a harmless coating that is easy to wipe off, but this disease greatly depletes the plant
Conditions for good flowering
The plant will please you if:
- grow it in cramped pots;
- do not remove faded shoots, as new inflorescences form in place of the old flowering;
- remove only bad or dead leaves or only sprouts where there is no flowering;
- As soon as the buds appear, do not touch or move the hoya.
Look how beautiful the Chloe flower is in the photo below.
Reproduction methods at home
Hoya at home reproduces both vegetatively and generatively. The easiest option is to root the cuttings.
Cuttings
Hoya stalk is the upper part of a semi-lignified shoot 8–10 cm long. It should have 2–3 growing points and several pairs of leaves. The best time for the procedure is early spring or autumn. You will have to wait four years for flowering.
Hoya cuttings take root quite quickly, but you will have to be patient to see flowering.
- Let the cuttings dry for 2-3 hours in the open air. Sprinkle the base with any powdered root formation stimulator (Kornevin, Zircon).
- Plant them in cups filled with a mixture of peat chips and sand (1:1). Can be rooted in water. Dissolve one tablet of succinic acid and activated carbon in 200 ml. Cover the container with foil and pierce it with a cutting so that only the lower growing point is in the water. Excess leaves are removed.
- Cover the plantings with glass jars or transparent bags. Keep the substrate slightly moist at all times. Provide a temperature of 20–22ºС and bright light. Roots should appear in 20–25 days.
- Once they are formed, transplant the cuttings into adult potting soil. Otherwise they will become brittle and break easily.
- When 3-4 new leaves appear, pinch the hoya to encourage branching.
Hoya cuttings are often rooted in substrate rather than in water.
Video: Hoya propagation by cuttings
Rooting stem cuttings
Hoyas from stem cuttings bloom already in the year of planting. Plants older than five years old reproduce in this way.
- On one or more shoots between the growing points, use a scalpel or razor blade to make a shallow circular cut.
- Wrap the area with sphagnum moss, pre-moistened with a solution of any biostimulant (Epin, potassium humate). Cover the top with foil or cling film. Securely fasten the entire structure.
- When roots appear, cut off the top of this shoot and transplant the new plant into a separate pot.
Rooting stem cuttings is the fastest way to get a new flowering plant
Germination of seeds
The method is used infrequently due to the scarcity of seeds, which are almost impossible to obtain at home. They are extremely rare on sale. The method is generally of little use for breeding hybrids. The varietal characteristics of the “parent” are rarely transmitted to the “offspring”.
Hoya seeds are in great short supply
- Dry the seeds after collection for 2-3 months.
- Plant them in a mixture of finely chopped sphagnum moss and universal soil for indoor plants (1:1).
- Provide the same conditions as for the germinated cuttings, raising the temperature to 23–25ºС. In about a week, shoots will appear. From this point on, the substrate should be constantly slightly moist, but not wet.
- After about three months, when the seedlings have formed 3-4 pairs of true leaves, transplant them into adult soil.
To prevent rot, Hoya seedlings can be sprayed once a month with a 0.5% solution of any fungicide.
Plant propagation
The soil for favorable growth must be breathable. You can propagate the hoya flower, the photo of which is presented below, vegetatively. To do this, at the end of February, the apical stem of the parent plant is separated. There should be several buds left on the main flower. Next, the stem is planted in the prepared soil. The top of the pot can be covered with polyethylene or a glass jar. This creates a greenhouse effect, but if this cannot be done, you should ensure a comfortable temperature, good lighting and regular watering.
Another method of propagation is by leaves that have an air bud or air layer, which must be rooted from the mother plant and then replanted.
Plant diseases
Hoya may be susceptible to:
- Bacterial disease. This causes the plant to rot and give off an unpleasant odor. In this case, drugs that contain copper come to the fight.
- Viral diseases. Peculiar thickenings and spots appear on the leaves. It is very difficult to fight these diseases. The plant, first of all, should be isolated from other flowers.
- Fungal diseases. The flower may stop growing, and the roots will begin to rot, causing powdery mildew to appear. In this case, the plant is transplanted into new soil and the rules for caring for it are followed.
- Infectious diseases. This is usually caused by the conditions in which the plant is kept. When the soil is too wet, the leaves turn yellow and the roots rot. In this case, it is better to reduce the humidity in the room.
Excessive light causes brown spots to form on the leaves. The plant gets burned. If it is too hot and dry, the leaves will curl and dry out. Hoya also looks sick when the shoots are overly elongated from lack of light.
Hypothermia can hamper the development of new shoots and yellowing of the lower leaves will begin.
Don't overdo it with fertilizers. Their excessive use can cause discoloration of the flower as a whole. Remember the main rule: do not treat weak plants on hot days.
Everyone will like a beautiful hoya. With proper care, it will give you lush blooms and decorate the interior of the room.
Temperature
It must be provided the same as for most other types of indoor flowers. Summer care is different from winter care. In the hot season, the optimal temperature is 23–25 ° C, and in the cold season it can be reduced to 14–16 degrees.
Hoya flowers do not like drafts. In winter, during severe frosts, the plant is transferred from the windowsill to a table or shelf, most importantly, away from heating elements.
The flower does not require too much moisture, but so that the leaves do not lose their freshness, it must be constantly sprayed. Water should only fall on the greens and avoid flowers and buds.
Signs and superstitions
There are so many different legends around the flower that some people are afraid to have one. Women refer to it as a plant that keeps men out of the house. Another category believes in the opposite belief, which is based on the theory that the flower, on the contrary, promotes the affection of people.
No matter what anyone says, the tropical hoya plant with its rich greenery and specific fragrant buds deserves attention. Wax ivy deserves to be nurtured with love. And you shouldn’t pay attention to prejudices.
Botanical description
The Kutrov family includes the genus Hoya (lat. Hoya) , which has up to 200 species. Distributed in tropical Australia, some parts of India and the Malay Archipelago. The genus name was given to the plant in honor of Thomas Hoy. The genus is represented by evergreen plants with creeping and climbing shoots. The leaves are oval, ovoid, leathery, fleshy; axillary inflorescences. The corolla has five members, round and fleshy. The flowers form an umbrella. Crown of five convex, thick, dissected columns. Indoor hoya is a very unusual ornamental plant. They grow in both warm and moderate and cool rooms - they tolerate dry air well. For good growth, Hoya needs to be given support.
Care
There are more than 50 subspecies of the plant. But only part of the genus has been cultivated. The most popular varieties among plant growers for home care are the Fleshy and Beautiful Hoya varieties. With effort and love, indoor Hoya flowers will be similar to those that grow in the tropics.
Bathing the plant
Indoor hoya flowers, photos of which are presented in this material, love such procedures. They are very useful for them. The plant should be bathed before flowering. Twice a year it is completely immersed in a bucket of warm water and left there for five minutes. You can even warm up the water a little. This procedure is only beneficial: the plant smells fragrant, blooms profusely, and easily tolerates changing weather conditions. After bathing, the hoya will definitely release gorgeous inflorescences.
Favorable lighting
The plant should receive enough light, but do not place the hoya in bright sunlight. South windows would be ideal for growing the plant; do not place the flower on the north side of your house or apartment. If, however, conditions do not allow it to be moved to another place, then the hoya is simply sprayed or wiped with a damp sponge. Keep in mind that the hot rays of the sun can burn the plant, weaken it and lead to death.
If you choose a place for a flower outside a window, then the lack of sun may cause it to stop growing and not bloom. Often such plants are displayed in the halls of organizations. In this case, you should choose a lighted, well-ventilated place and then you will enjoy flowering. However, remember that Chloe flowers do not like to be moved from place to place.
How to transplant a Hoya into a new pot
The “plus” of growing the crop is that it does not require frequent replanting. It is carried out, if necessary, once every 1-3 years in the spring. Recommended substrate: flower soil mixture “For flowering succulents” or prepared independently according to one of the “recipes” discussed above.
Usually, the plant itself signals that replanting is necessary: the root system protrudes from the drainage into the holes at the bottom of the flowerpot, the bush or vine does not grow, and the leaves become drooping.
Before replanting your home hoya, you need to choose the right new pot. If the goal is to get abundant flowering, then the container should not be much larger than the one in which the crop grew before. If it is necessary to stimulate the growth of a bush or vine, then the pot should be much more spacious than the previous one. You must not forget to place drainage at the bottom (pebbles, broken shards, stones measuring from 1 to 1.5 cm, foam chips).
Transplanting a healthy crop into a new container and fresh substrate is carried out using the transfer method - that is, an earthen ball entwined with roots is not destroyed, but is transferred to another container and supplemented with the required amount of soil. When planting, the hoya is not deeply buried; the transplanted plant requires standard care - as described above.
Pruning and shaping hoya
An important aspect of caring for hoya when growing it at home is pruning. The procedure is carried out during transplantation. It is necessary to remove those shoots that are excessively long - this will promote abundant flowering of the plant. To make the stems branch, use the method of pinching the tips after the fourth leaf is formed.
To form the crown of vines, supports are used. If the shoots are flexible, then rings, hearts, arches, spirals, etc. are suitable. Branches are secured to windows or walls with threads. Hanging plants can be left hanging from the pots. The main thing is to make sure that the flowerpot is light, otherwise the risk of it tipping over will increase.
