I’ve started experimenting with a substrate called Lechuza Pon made in Europe. So far the moisture loving species are loving it like the Hoya lockii pictured below. I have not yet mastered how to get the watering right for the non-moisture loving species.

I kind of like this narrow shot of the the two flowers of H. Kaimuki against the foliage of a large Sugar Maple. Notice how the flowers of this one can vary in color depending upon the conditions under which it is grown.

At the end of last November I started my sad looking H. Kaimuki over by water rooting two cuttings. I sold one plant over the summer, and the small plant that I kept has just flowered with two blooms.

I spent some time with this one trying to get a very good close up of a single Hoya platycaulis flower, and I think that it came out pretty well.

I find growing Hoya platycaulis maddeningly difficult, but I’m determined to find success with this one. The last few leaves on this plant look pretty good to me. What I’m discovering is that while the leaves and flowers look similar to H. lockii, the plant does not ever want to be wet. It needs to grow on the dry side.

I still don’t know what I’m doing with this plant, but at least I can say that I got it to the stage of growing a small peduncle. I literally am breaking all of the Hoya rules with this one. I’m growing it in sphagnum and in a pot that is way too big for the size of the plant so I’m just waiting for the ax to fall, but in the mean time, I’ll just enjoy it.

I am not sure that I have ever seen more flowers per square inch than on this small Hoya chinghungensis. It is just phenomenal! The photo does not even do it justice.

I really love this photo of Hoya lobbii and think it would make a lovely calendar or art print. It shows how lovely a Hoya can be even when not in flower. My greatest thanks once again for sending it to me Amy!

Something a little different: Amy Chan contacted me a couple of years ago asking me to choose some plants for her to start a Hoya collection. We have remained in touch, and she recently sent me a couple of very cool photographs that I absolutely love. Below is a photo of Hoya kerrii and cherries:

Hoya bordenii is an okay Hoya, but the flowers were too similar to two other Philippine Hoyas that would make better choices if one wasn’t trying to collect all the Hoyas in the world.  Both Hoya sp. Mindanao UT-247, and Hoya ilagiorum are quicker, and more rampant bloomers with flowers that are very close to Hoya bordenii.  Below a close-up of the flowers: