I heard about Hoya carmelae for the first time around 2013 from a Hoya growing buddy of mine from Michigan named Patrick Vance. After seeing a photo of the plant and flower, I knew that I had to have one and promptly ordered one from Thailand. That first cutting rooted, but did not last long; I think I killed it inside of 6 months. The following year I ordered another one, and Patrick was kind enough to send me one of his cuttings as well.