Not everything does well in my much too hot and humid grow room (88°F/31°C Pretty Much Day and Night), but Hoya elliptica is one that loves it. The plant is pretty much never out of bud or bloom, and can bloom 10 times or more from the same old peduncle. I grow it in my regular old mix and never let it dry out.
Here is a quick shot of Hoya brevialata from a few minutes ago. I’ve heard that some people are not that thrilled with this plant. I can’t understand it. A well grown plant can be quite spectacular and smells like butterscotch to boot!
My new greenhouse is supposed to be here this week – Fingers Crossed. Here is a photo of where I will assemble it, and a photo of the existing greenhouse all uncovered and ready for action. These small greenhouses work great for your Hoyas only if you have the necessary humidification controls. Without the controls, your greenhouse will quickly become a solar drying oven! Controls for heating, ventilation, and humidification do not come cheap. Be prepared to spend at least $500 even for a small greenhouse.
Took the plywood off from the greenhouse today, which is the first step in the long process of getting everything ready to bring the Hoyas outside. I have also built another deck that will be the base for a new permanent 6X8 Sunshine Greenhouse. I anxiously await its arrival. Tomorrow it will have been five weeks since I ordered it, and need it to be here so that I can assemble it on my upcoming vacation. Here is Hoya memoria from a couple of days ago.
Hoya obovata is happily blooming its heart out right now. This plant is not at all fussy and will live any where that a carnosa would. We all need to have at least a few of these no bother, great growing, easy blooming, specimen plants.
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.
Hoya kenejiana from this morning. I really love this soft yellow flower, and it is why I have kept this plant going over the years despite a number of set backs. It can’t seem to make it through the winter in the regular house, and in order to stay happy needs the humidity of my upstairs grow room. It takes up valuable space, but I think it is worth it.
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.
One of my favorites – Hoya campanulata with a double bloom. Keep this one damp ALWAYS!
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.