Hoya lobbii probably does not get the credit it deserves for being a very tough, easy to grow, easy to bloom plant.  My plant is now four years old and over three feet high.  Here is its first bloom for the new growing season.

Thailand is a gamble when ordering Hoyas.  Don’t ever go into it without that mantra in mind; if you can’t afford to lose your investment, or take a chance on dead arrivals, do not order.  There are some great vendors here in the U.S. including Joni at SRQ Hoyas, who is in my mind the best of any of them.  If however you just can’t find, or can’t wait to get the species you are looking for, and are willing to take a big gamble, there is the Thai grower option – They can really grow Hoyas.  The problem usually comes from the transit and customs obstacles.  You just never know how they will come through. These cuttings arrived yesterday, and I feel like I won the lottery.

Here is a link to my newest Hoya Themed time-lapse video: Beautiful Carnosa Dreamer.  It has a slightly different feel to it, and contains no Cats!  I have to say I really like how it came out.  I hope you all feel the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h_7Mj0kc0A&feature=youtu.be

Here is a new flower size comparison photo taken from last week with what was blooming at the time.

I took some “artsy” photos and some regular photos today of Hoya imperialis, which is blooming yet again.  Here is one of the “artsy” photos – I call it Before and After.

It is truly wonderful that after months of dormancy the Hoyas outside of the growroom are starting to stir.  Here are three photos – Hoya obovata, Hoya cumingiana (Large Leaf), and Hoya pubicalyx (RHP).  These are no namby pampy plants they can survive and bloom without any special care or humidity requirements.  They are all highly recommended plants.

Hoya imperialis has now been in bloom or bud continuously for months now.  The most incredible plant of all time? – Maybe!  I hate to even mention it, but the only draw back is the copious amounts of nectar that drip from the flowers.  It can be quite challenging to clean it off of what ever it happens to drip on.  I love this plant!!  From this morning; notice the additional buds developing in the background.

One of my all time favorite Hoyas – cumingiana (Large Leafed Form) bloomed yesterday at work.  Here is the photo from a few minutes ago.

Here is a photo of a few Hoya blossoms floating in a sink that I took about 10 days ago.  Today is the last day of a record breaking heat wave that sent temperatures 35-40°F higher than where they should be for this time of year.  It has made the Hoyas perk up and start growing and producing buds after months of hibernation.