Hoya Annakey got its name from long time Hawaiian, Hoya grower, Carol Noel. She named it after her “heart mother” – a Danish woman she met in New Zealand who dressed really well and played a mean game of Scrabble. The Hoya and namesake were both survivors.
Hoya Annakey flowered after only nine months from cutting. The flowers open during the daylight cycle unlike the majority of Hoyas opening their blooms in the dark. Here is a photo just as the first few flowers are starting to open up:
This plant really presented no problems at all, and the most striking aspect of this hybrid is the leaves that turn a wonderful shade of red when exposed to good light.
I received a Hoya Annakey cutting from a very knowledgeable grower in Michigan in September of 2022 and rooted it in coconut husk chips.
Hoya Annakey is a Mike Bernardo Hybrid that crosses Hoya nicholsoniae and Hoya erythrina.
The flowers are not much to look at, but it is quite miraculous that I have now had the chance to flower this plant on multiple occasions, and it shows no signs of letting up. The plant grows so rapidly, that it is very hard to keep under control.
Hoya paxtonii is vexing to try to photograph. Almost ever square inch of the plant has a bloom, but it can’t be appreciated because they all hang straight down. I pick it up one more time to take an unrewarding photo.
No sooner than one flush of flowers falls off from Hoya buntokensis than it puts out another. This one has eight buds or blooms, which I think is the most that I have ever had on a single peduncle.
I think that this flowering of Hoya onychoides was its final gasp. Right after I took this photo, I tossed the plant. The roots were rotted, and none of the leaves were in good enough shape to inspire me to try to save it, so adios old friend!
I’m not sure if I have featured these two together before, but in case I haven’t:
