Hoya oblongacutifolia

Hoya oblongacutifolia was known as Hoya graveolens for decades; its name was officially changed in 2017.  Hoya oblongacutifolia is endemic to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia where is is localized and found primarily in limestone based soils.  The flowers are around a centimeter across and are powerfully scented.  Its former name graveolens was from the Latin and indicated strong scent.  The smell is earthy and not particularly pleasant.  The foliage is highly variable in size and oblong – hence the new name.  The plant grows in an area of monsoon with annual rainfall of 2100 mm and an average temperature of 27.4° C (81° F). It was observed flowering in Vietnam from April to May and from March to May in Thailand.

I was unsuccessful in bringing Hoya oblongacutifolia to flower under artificial lighting early on.  Peduncles would form and eventually dry up and fall off.  Buds would never form.  I believe it requires strong light in order to flower, and this was achieved for me in an outdoor tent greenhouse where most of the plants in the tent got sunburned.  Three peduncles eventually developed buds and flowered under those conditions.  Eventually I did flower the plant under very strong artificial lighting so it is indeed possible.

This is a plant that does not like to dry out very much.  It is not difficult to root and will grow at a nice pace if conditions are to its liking.  I have to say that flowering this one was probably the highlight of my 2017 summer as far as growing Hoyas was concerned. I also want to say that the flowers on this one last around 10 days.  Hoya oblongacutifolia is very photogenic and is a plant that I can highly recommend despite its funky scent.