Hoya

The genus Hoya (Noua) includes approximately 200 species from South Asia and Australia. Hoya, or wax wort, is used for vertical gardening and sometimes as an ampel plant; it is also called a "wax flower" because of its waxy leaves and flowers. But it should not be confused with" wax flowers " - Chamaelaucium uncinatum, used for cutting. Hoya trees are usually creeping or climbing shrubs with characteristic, very long-lasting star-shaped flowers. The two most cultivated species are the beautiful hoya (Noua bella) and the fleshy hoya, or wax ivy (N. carnosa). The first is a semi-shrubby species with oval small fleshy green leaves, more or less dark depending on the variety; many of the leaves also have a pattern. Fragrant waxy white-pink flowers with a red, pink or lilac core are collected in groups of 8-10 in drooping umbrella-shaped inflorescences. The plants are erect until they reach a height of approximately 30 cm; then the stems droop or become creeping. Fleshy hoya is a large liana that can be used in mild climates to cover the walls to which they cling with aerial roots. They are characterized by oval dark green opposite leaves and star-shaped, slightly fragrant flowers, colored from white to flesh-pink, with a red core; collected in brushes of 15-20. Often at first the shoots are bare, but then they are covered with leaves. There are also two variegated varieties: with pink and cream edges ('Exotic') and with a golden core and dark edges ('Mottled'); they bloom less often and not so much plentiful. Another interesting ampel variety is 'Compact', with small leaves with little ornamentation.

The genus Hoya (Noua) includes approximately 200 species from South Asia and Australia. Hoya, or wax wort, is used for vertical gardening and sometimes as an ampel plant; it is also called a "wax flower" because of its waxy leaves and flowers. But it should not be confused with" wax flowers " - Chamaelaucium uncinatum, used for cutting. Hoya trees are usually creeping or climbing shrubs with characteristic, very long-lasting star-shaped flowers.

The two most cultivated species are the beautiful hoya (Noua bella) and the fleshy hoya, or wax ivy (N. carnosa). The first is a semi-shrubby species with oval small fleshy green leaves, more or less dark depending on the variety; many of the leaves also have a pattern. Fragrant waxy white-pink flowers with a red, pink or lilac core are collected in groups of 8-10 in drooping umbrella-shaped inflorescences. The plants are erect until they reach a height of approximately 30 cm; then the stems droop or become creeping.

Fleshy hoya is a large liana that can be used in mild climates to cover the walls to which they cling with aerial roots. They are characterized by oval dark green opposite leaves and star-shaped, slightly fragrant flowers, colored from white to flesh-pink, with a red core; collected in brushes of 15-20. Often at first the shoots are bare, but then they are covered with leaves. There are also two variegated varieties: with pink and cream edges ('Exotic') and with a golden core and dark edges ('Mottled'); they bloom less often and not so much plentiful. Another interesting ampel variety is 'Compact', with small leaves with little ornamentation.

Cultivation

Both beautiful hoya and fleshy hoya are grown as beautifully blooming ampel plants almost exclusively in a closed room. However, if the climate allows, they can be taken outside. Beautiful hoya is best grown in pots and hanging baskets. For fleshy hoya, arches or supports of a different type are often installed, and it is easier to grow it than beautiful hoya. You should try not to rearrange the plants. In the summer months, a liquid fertilizer with a nitrogen (N) ratio is periodically added to the irrigation water.), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) as 3:1:2 in the amount of 0.5 g/l.

Location

Hoya is a plant that requires a well-lit place, but not in direct sunlight, which is fraught with leaf burns.

Temperature

Fleshy hoya is a more stable species that can tolerate even fairly low winter temperatures (about 10 °C); it can survive at temperatures of 7 °C. For hoya the beautiful, on the contrary, a temperature of about 16 °C (not lower than 10 °C) is recommended. In summer, the temperature should never exceed 24 °C. Sudden temperature changes should be avoided.

Watering

Hoya is especially afraid of excess water and high humidity. In summer, water 1-2 times a week, in winter it is enough to do this once every 10-15 days just so that the environment is not too dry. In summer, the air should be kept moist by spraying the plants weekly with water (so that it does not get on the flowers), and also placing the plant on wet pebbles (or expanded clay).

Transplant

These plants are transplanted into a new pot, but only when the roots completely fill the previous one; use a well-drained soil and a container slightly larger than the previous one.

Care

Good leaf spraying is sufficient. Do not use lustrating solutions. Remove inflorescences after all the flowers have wilted (with the exception of N. carnosa).

Reproduction

Reproduction is carried out in the spring by cuttings, layering, grafting. Approximately 10-centimeter cuttings are taken from the tops of the plant and planted in a peat-sand mixture. If you use phytohormones, cuttings form roots much faster. They are covered with a piece of plastic film at a temperature of about 18 °C. In addition, it is possible to sow seeds in peat-sandy soil in the spring at a temperature of 24 °C. When the seedlings get stronger, you can transplant them into small cups filled with a standard potted soil mixture. Often use multiplication layers.

Diseases

If hoya is grown in suitable conditions, avoiding excess or lack of water (and thus rotting and leaf spotting), it will not cause much trouble. The plant can be affected by mealybugs, which are removed with a cloth or cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Then the plant is treated with an anticoccidal drug.

Acquisition

Hoya is not easy to get; try to find it in a gardening center that has a wide range of indoor plants. Choose strong plants with healthy leaves and flowers that have not yet opened.