Hoya Care & Tips
- Ting Ting
- Aug 15, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 24, 2021
Water Stress
Signs of underwatering:
Symptom: crinkled leaves.
Solution: Give it a good soak until the leaves perk up again. If the leaves still do not perk up, check the condition of the roots.
(Tip offered by Pauline Lim, member of Hoya Singapore)
Heat Stress
Signs of over-exposure to direct sunlight:
#HoyaCare, #HeatStress,#BurntLeaves
(Photo credit: Lim Lee Chian from https://www.facebook.com/groups/891827067940036/posts/1321071935015545)
Symptom: 'Burnt' leaves.
Solution: Use a shade netting or remove from direct sunlight.
(Tip offered by Kar Tin Koh, member of Hoya Singapore)
More photos of sunstressed leaves:
Hoya elmeri. #HoyaElmeri
(Photo credit: Alick Chia from https://www.facebook.com/groups/891827067940036/posts/1326999601089445/)
Hoya Noelle. #HoyaNoelle
(Photo credit: Alick Chia from
Hoya waymaniae. #HoyaWaymaniae
(Photo credit: Alick Chia from
Hoya erythrostemma. #HoyaErythrostemma
(Photo credit: Alick Chia from
Hoya tomataensis. #HoyaTomataensis
(Photo credit: Alick Chia from https://www.facebook.com/groups/891827067940036/posts/1326999624422776/)
Hoya caudata Sumatra. #HoyaCaudataSumatra
(Photo credit: Alick Chia from
Diseases & Pests
Signs of sooty mold:
(Photo credit: Jennis Chew from https://www.facebook.com/groups/891827067940036/posts/1321115948344477/)
Symptom: Black patches on the leaves.
Solution: Most likely caused by mealybugs. Note that there are two types of mealies: leaf mealies and root mealies.
For leaf mealies:
Spray neem oil on leaves to kill leaf mealies. There is no need to change the soil.
For root mealies:
1). Use hortipo to spray at the roots and remove visible mealies. Optional: soak the roots in hydrogen peroxide. (1 part hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts of water.)
2) Throw away all existing potting medium.
3) Get a new pot or soak the existing pot in hot water before reusing.
(Tip offered by Autumn Foo Chiew Har, member of Hoya Singapore)
Signs of root mealies:
Watch a video clip showing the tiny white crawlies (see comment section).
(Photo and video credit: Hoe Li Lian from https://www.facebook.com/groups/891827067940036/posts/1208442452945161/)
Symptom: Wrinkled leaves despite frequent watering.
Solution: )
Option 1) Soak the roots in 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 4 parts of water.
Option 2) Use Hortipo spray
Option 3) Use Starlex G. Dissolve some Starlex G in water and pour the diluted solution onto the roots. Repot and sprinkle some of the solution on the plant for maintenance.
Important: The original growing medium must be discarded. The pot must be soaked in water at 40 degree Celcius before reusing.
(Tip offered by Autumn Foo Chiew Har, member of Hoya Singapore)
Solution:
Add 1 part pure hydrogen peroxide (with no additives) to 4-5 parts water. Mix the solution. well and water the plant, making sure to thoroughly drench all parts of the soil. The hydrogen peroxide will fizz; that's what kills the larvae and the eggs.
(Tip offered by Suzanna N Wee, member of Hoya Singapore)
Propagation
Air Layering:
1. Wrap the aerial roots with sphagnum moss.
2. Wait for the roots to grow.
3. Cut and pot.
(Tip offered by. Huifang Chen, member of Hoya Singapore)
(Photo credit: Huifang Chen from
Recycling tip:
You may use this for the netting.
(Photo credit: Huifang Chen from https://www.facebook.com/groups/891827067940036/posts/1323170994805639/)
Trellis for support
Materials:
White coated metal craft rings.
Wire
Plant
Tools:
Cutter
Small clips
Time taken to make the trellis: 5 minutes.
What you need: metal craft rings, wire, wire cutter, small clips.
The metal craft rings come in various sizes. Take your pick to suit your needs,
but make sure that the bottom ring fits your pot.
Use the wire cutter to cut the wires into appropriate lengths.
Use these to tie the rings and hold them in place.
Make sure the rings are held in place securely.
Hook on and last but not least...
... add a plant to fit into the trellis. Use
small clips to hold the stems in place,
and voila, you're done!
(Photo credit: Meghna Raghavender Gomti from https://www.facebook.com/groups/891827067940036/posts/1085013851954689/)
Tip offered by Meghna Raghavender Gomti, member of Hoya Singapore)
Common FAQs
White spots on leaves?
Buildup of mineral salts from tap water. Use diluted water or rainwater.
Brown spots at the tip of leaves?
Over watering, under watering, or sunscald.
Note: Many hoyas are prone to edema/oedema, a condition caused by irregular water and/or insufficient airflow. This happens when the plant takes in more water than it can transpire through its leaves, and manifests as black or brown spots on the leaves.
No flowers?
Not enough light. Most hoya require bright but indirect light (no direct sun) to bloom.
How long does it take for Hoya flowers to appear?
It depends, any time from the first year of growth to the second or third year, or beyond. If conditions aren't right., they may never bloom until those conditions are corrected.
Growing conditions for blooms?
Bright, indirect light. 40-60% humidity (i.e. mist often). Occasional high-phosphorus fertiliser.
Potting mix?
Light, well-drained medium. Do not allow the Hoya plant to become wet and soggy.
Training your Hoya?
The best way to contain a climbing twining plant is to wrap the stems around the plant itself as it grows.
Flower buds falling off?
Too dry - flowers dry up and drop their buds.
Too wet - flowers become yellow and spongy, or brown and mushy and drop off.
NOTE: For plant care and tips on specific Hoya type/specie, refer to the relevant Hoya page. (Still work-in-progress).
FUN FACT
The scent of hoya flowers sometimes reminds one of lemons, chocolate, vanilla, or cinnamon. Comment below on the scent of your hoya flowers..
Useful Resources:
Disclaimer: All information provided is collated from online sources and tips from gardeners and plant hobbyists. Please feel free to point out any inaccuracies. You are also welcome to contribute your photos or care tips, or ask questions in the comments. I'll try to collate and add these in.
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