This time after re-rooting in water, I decided to try growing the plant in leca using passive Hydro to see if I would have any better luck. It rooted and grew well at first, but then stalled out again. It did nothing for months until finally I added a heat mat underneath the pot in January of 2021, and it was as if a miracle happened, actual new growth formed within a couple of weeks.
Although I suspected root rot, I did nothing about it for months continuing to hope that the plant would somehow turn itself around and start growing again. Of course it it did not, and after it finally started losing leaves to yellowing, I took a cutting to attempt to save it once again.
I up-potted the plant through a series of net pots and then planted the 4 inch net pot, with plant inside, into a six inch pot with soil. It did okay for a while, but then it quit growing once again, and as much as I did not want to contemplate it, I suspected root rot once again.
I pulled the plant out of its pot and sure enough the roots were rotted! I took a cutting and re-rooted it. This time after water roots appeared I used a net pot to grow it out to better see when it needed watering.
I got this Hoya in 2018 from an order that I placed with AH Hoyas in Thailand. It came rooted in coconut husk, which could not be removed so I potted as is in a 2 inch rose pot. It grew a new vine and a leaf and promptly stalled out, which usually means root rot.
I’ve had this plant kicking around now for a few years where it always grew miserably and required frequent restarts. It finally flowered a few weeks ago so I guess it is time to talk a little about it.
I am growing this one in semi-hydro, but noticed a lot of root rot the other day, so I don’t know how long I will keep this one growing this way. It may have to get started over.
I snapped a photo of this plant flowering away in the greenhouse this morning. It seems to be pretty happy so far outside for the summer.
I’m growing Hoya flagellata in semi-hydro, in a basement grow tent, down in my basement. The plant is nothing to brag about, but it is now regularly flowering. Here are some blooms from this morning:
These flowers perfume the entire living room at night. I am always asked for a list of nicely scented Hoyas, well Hoya sp. Black Leaves belongs near the top of the list!
