Hoya odetteae

I had mistaken this for a dischidia but actually it is a Hoya species. The leaves are thin and elogated - more like of a succulent appearance of (Strings of Banana) but this is much hardier and water abuse tolerant.

Hoya odetteae is just like any other hoya basically known as the Indian Rope Plant or Wax plant, is an Asclepiad species of flowering plant of the dogbane family Apocynaceae.

I must say - that I'm not so much of a fan of Hoya but this one intrigue me especially the non-uniform Hoya types - this one is very much like of a miniature variation.

Just like any other Hoya variety - the Care & Needs are very much similar.

Basic Care & Maintenance

Medium:
This require a fast draining medium - something like orchid medium mix. It does well with a mixture of perlite, sphagnum moss, cocopeat & bark mix. It should not be a strong drainage mix where it doesn't hold any moisture at all but it should not be holding water too where the roots and stem can rot too. The balance of both is ideal.

Watering:
I water daily and twice during the hot dry days. They can go without water for few days to a week and perhaps you have to take note on how the foliage appearance - if it appears withered than watering is mandatory. The downside of watering will cost the leaves to turn yellow and start rotting - therefore - the right balance is necessary.


Sun:
Hoya is not a totally shade loving plant but you can place them in bright indoors area. I for one had experience where when it is placed in dark areas - they rarely bloom and the growth appears to be very leggy (the leaves nodes along the stem appear to phase out far apart and it is very unsightly especially when you prefer to have a compact foliage plants)

Another thing about Hoya is they only bloom when they receive good sun. 

Without it - it may not bloom.

Hoya is a trailing plant and more on the wild side. The seemed to do well in most unforgiving conditions but at times - just barely surviving and it is indeed a slow growing plant - so don't expect much if you received a small cuttings and looking forward for new growth - It may take many months to actually notice anything.

I for one, just place them in their ideal spot and consider that done there and routinely water them on daily basis and weekly spray flowering fertilizer on them hoping them to bloom. Otherwise, it's another trailing green foliage plant that I'm contented with.

Other Factors:

1) Do not dead-head the dried flower buds as the new flowers blooms from the previous dried flower spike.

2) Do take effort to foliar fertilizer on them to induce new growth or else it will remain in that same size for months.

3) It's a trailing plant - so do allow space for it to grow and trail heavy, it will climb and vine everywhere - so do take note on that garden space in place them permanently as once it captured and coiled within the garden space - it will be difficult to remove them without cause damage to the vine or foliage.

4) This plant does produce aerial roots and may start off new shoots hence a new plant from a different location where it had rooted.

Do click on their names to get to the link to get into more detailed information
on their Care and Cultivation on each plant types and their characteristics.
Different Types of Hoya - Names & Images

Hoya Carnosa (Variegated) - Care & Cultivation

I find in comparison to the green counterpart, the variegated types are much more sensitive and can easily die away - I had to try few times to really figure out why this particular one died on me.

The Care and Cultivation is very much similar with Hoya Carnosa. 

The difference - this need to be a little more exposed to sun and less watering.

As you can note, these vines needed to be long and leggy in order for them to start blooming. Keeping them short (as pruning them) will not encourage them to bear blooms - and therefore, I suggest that it would be more productive to roll them (coil them up) instead of pruning.

The flowers appears to be the same as Hoya Carnosa but less showy. I guess a lot of the energy goes into the formation of the foliage structure rather than the blooms. Another thing about this variegated type is that it is not stable. 

Slowly and eventually, the plant ditched the variegated leaf formation and revert back to it's parent form - turning totally green. And so, I do recommend as to trim off the totally green ones off as new growth will slowly pick up it pace on the variegated foliage coloration.

Also, I would recommend that if you are purchasing this one from a nursery, do look out for a healthy robust plant - a dying one where most of the leaves had fallen off and the foliage is sort of withered and lost it's luster may not survive unless you are willing to take the risk in revive it back.

Hoya Carnosa (Red) - Care & Cultivation

Hoya carnosa also known as the Indian Rope Plant or Wax plant, is an Asclepiad species of flowering plant of the dogbane family Apocynaceae.

It is one of the many species of Hoya that are native to Eastern Asia and Australia.
It is a common house plant grown for its attractive waxy foliage and for the unique flowers.

This is my experience on Care & Maintenance of Hoya. 

Firstly I may that I had faced many challenges and few had rotted or dried off in my care.

And somehow with the little I had, it grew and populated my garden and became invasive.

These are the few factors:

Medium:

This require a fast draining medium - something like orchid medium mix. It does well with a mixture of perlite, sphagnum moss, cocopeat & bark mix. It should not be a strong drainage mix where it doesn't hold any moisture at all but it should not be holding water too where the roots and stem can rot too. The balance of both is ideal.

Watering:

I water daily and twice during the hot dry days. They can go without water for few days to a week and perhaps you have to take note on how the foliage appearance - if it appears withered than watering is mandatory. The downside of watering will cost the leaves to turn yellow and start rotting - therefore - the right balance is necessary.

Sun:

Hoya is not a totally shade loving plant but you can place them in bright indoors area. I for one had experience where when it is placed in dark areas - they rarely bloom and the growth appears to be very leggy (the leaves nodes along the stem appear to phase out far apart and it is very unsightly especially when you prefer to have a compact foliage plants)

Hoya is a trailing plant and more on the wild side. The seemed to do well in most unforgiving conditions but at times - just barely surviving and it is indeed a slow growing plant - so don't expect much if you received a small cuttings and looking forward for new growth - It may take many months to actually notice anything.

I for one, just place them in their ideal spot and consider that done there and routinely water them on daily basis and weekly spray flowering fertilizer on them hoping them to bloom. Otherwise, it's another trailing green foliage plant that I'm contented with.

Other Factors:

1) Do not dead-head the dried flower buds as the new flowers blooms from the previous dried flower spike.

2) Do take effort to foliar fertilizer on them to induce new growth or else it will remain in that same size for months.

3) It's a trailing plant - so do allow space for it to grow and trail heavy, it will climb and vine everywhere - so do take note on that garden space in place them permanently as once it captured and coiled within the garden space - it will be difficult to remove them without cause damage to the vine or foliage.

4) This plant does produce aerial roots and may start off new shoots hence a new plant from a different location where it had rooted.

Hoya Kerrii - Care & Cultivation

Hoya Kerrii is just like any other hoya but with the heart shape leaf basically known as the Indian Rope Plant or Wax plant, is an Asclepiad species of flowering plant of the dogbane family Apocynaceae.

The Care and Maintenance is similar with Hoya Carnosa.

This one I find somehow a bit more hardy and stable compared to Hoya Carnosa - perhaps because I had purchased them with roots in a stable pot and therefore nothing much is required except watering and feeding.

One of the best features of the plant is the heart-shaped foliage which I often noticed sold in nurseries as a Sweetheart Valentine Plant - A singular rooted leaf with love notes written on them does bring romantic mood to lovers but I must say for that particular leafy plant - it will not grow, it will remain as a rooted leaf and may survive for many months until the leaf matures and dies off.

Unless there is a stem attached to it, no new growth will appear from it.

Thus it is important to get cuttings with few nodes to ensure successful growth or the whole cutting will fail to take root and grow.

Unlike other Hoya, Hoya Kerri is a slow growing plant - thus it may take more maintenance and care to feed it often to ensure good steady growth or else it will remain as it is for many months.

This one loves sun - too shaded may cause root or stem rot and it would be too late to safe the plant.

Hoya Kerrii can be considered a stable and easy growing plant once it had found a well stable place for it to grow - ideally in a bright shaded where it is airy and well balanced humidity. 

Basic Care & Maintenance of Hoya Kerrii

Medium:
This require a fast draining medium - something like orchid medium mix. It does well with a mixture of perlite, sphagnum moss, cocopeat & bark mix. It should not be a strong drainage mix where it doesn't hold any moisture at all but it should not be holding water too where the roots and stem can rot too. The balance of both is ideal.

Watering:
I water daily and twice during the hot dry days. They can go without water for few days to a week and perhaps you have to take note on how the foliage appearance - if it appears withered than watering is mandatory. The downside of watering will cost the leaves to turn yellow and start rotting - therefore - the right balance is necessary.

Sun:
Hoya is not a totally shade loving plant but you can place them in bright indoors area. I for one had experience where when it is placed in dark areas - they rarely bloom and the growth appears to be very leggy (the leaves nodes along the stem appear to phase out far apart and it is very unsightly especially when you prefer to have a compact foliage plants)

Another thing about Hoya is they only bloom when they receive good sun. Without it - it may not bloom.

Hoya is a trailing plant and more on the wild side. The seemed to do well in most unforgiving conditions but at times - just barely surviving and it is indeed a slow growing plant - so don't expect much if you received a small cuttings and looking forward for new growth - It may take many months to actually notice anything.

I for one, just place them in their ideal spot and consider that done there and routinely water them on daily basis and weekly spray flowering fertilizer on them hoping them to bloom. Otherwise, it's another trailing green foliage plant that I'm contented with.

Other Factors:

1) Do not dead-head the dried flower buds as the new flowers blooms from the previous dried flower spike.

2) Do take effort to foliar fertilizer on them to induce new growth or else it will remain in that same size for months.

3) It's a trailing plant - so do allow space for it to grow and trail heavy, it will climb and vine everywhere - so do take note on that garden space in place them permanently as once it captured and coiled within the garden space - it will be difficult to remove them without cause damage to the vine or foliage.

4) This plant does produce aerial roots and may start off new shoots hence a new plant from a different location where it had rooted.

Hoya Carnosa (Pink) - Care & Cultivation

Hoya carnosa also known as the Indian Rope Plant or Wax plant, is an Asclepiad species of flowering plant of the dogbane family Apocynaceae.

It is one of the many species of Hoya that are native to Eastern Asia and Australia. 

It is a common house plant grown for its attractive waxy foliage and for the unique flowers.

This is my experience on Care & Maintenance of Hoya. 

Firstly I may that I had faced many challenges and few had rotted or dried off in my care.

And somehow with the little I had, it grew and populated my garden and became invasive.

These are the few factors:

Medium:

This require a fast draining medium - something like orchid medium mix. It does well with a mixture of perlite, sphagnum moss, cocopeat & bark mix. It should not be a strong drainage mix where it doesn't hold any moisture at all but it should not be holding water too where the roots and stem can rot too. The balance of both is ideal.

Watering:

I water daily and twice during the hot dry days. They can go without water for few days to a week and perhaps you have to take note on how the foliage appearance - if it appears withered than watering is mandatory. The downside of watering will cost the leaves to turn yellow and start rotting - therefore - the right balance is necessary.

Sun:

Hoya is not a totally shade loving plant but you can place them in bright indoors area. I for one had experience where when it is placed in dark areas - they rarely bloom and the growth appears to be very leggy (the leaves nodes along the stem appear to phase out far apart and it is very unsightly especially when you prefer to have a compact foliage plants)

These Hoya buds have these star shaped formation when they are closed and they slowly open up the petals when blooming. This particular one is the pink colored variety. 

It is going to be difficult to tell the difference by identifying the foliage - the best is not to mix them up or you may not know which is which.

Once the flowers are fully bloomed, it will last for few days depending on the condition. There will be a rich nectar dripping off from the flowers which will attract ants and nectar loving insects - and so, do be prepared for that if you are planning to cultivate this one in your garden.

Another thing about Hoya is they only bloom when they receive good sun. 

Without it - it may not bloom.

Hoya is a trailing plant and more on the wild side. The seemed to do well in most unforgiving conditions but at times - just barely surviving and it is indeed a slow growing plant - so don't expect much if you received a small cuttings and looking forward for new growth - It may take many months to actually notice anything.

I for one, just place them in their ideal spot and consider that done there and routinely water them on daily basis and weekly spray flowering fertilizer on them hoping them to bloom. Otherwise, it's another trailing green foliage plant that I'm contented with.

Other Factors:

1) Do not dead-head the dried flower buds as the new flowers blooms from the previous dried flower spike.

2) Do take effort to foliar fertilizer on them to induce new growth or else it will remain in that same size for months.

3) It's a trailing plant - so do allow space for it to grow and trail heavy, it will climb and vine everywhere - so do take note on that garden space in place them permanently as once it captured and coiled within the garden space - it will be difficult to remove them without cause damage to the vine or foliage.

4) This plant does produce aerial roots and may start off new shoots hence a new plant from a different location where it had rooted.

This is the seedpod of Hoya. 

The seeds are airborne similar behavior like the adenium (desert rose seedpod) where there will be white fluffy filament - just like dandelion seeds. 

It may take forever to cultivate them using seeds - it can be done but I would recommend using cuttings as they are more stable and promising.

Hoya Blooms

These blooms time to time.
One of the lovely things that I admire in my garden.

Hoya & Eria Orchid

 I had often seen Hoya plant enthusiast who post tonnes of blooming pictures.
And that's how I got infected with the craze. I thought these plants were expensive - then I came to find out that they were but because of the supply and demand factor.
And then suddenly they had flooded the market - just like the orchids, desert rose and any of the latest in thing - the usual price hike will tumble down quickly as most vendors want to push these plants off their rack to refurbish their new stock.

That's why this is priced something within RM20 - (RM12 or RM18)
I don't intend to spend buying expensive plants,
knowing by experience - when a plant is expensive, it means that chances of it die under my care is faster.
And truly - I intend to keep hardy ones - not the sensitive
(due to lack of time - care of garden plants is very limited)

So this is the Hoya story.
Commonly known as Indian Rope.
If you got it together with a hanging pot - practically there is nothing much care is required as they do just fine establishing themselves shooting out new vines all over the place.

I think the weather places an important role in their blooming process.
These had started blooming after a long dry spell
followed by few days of gloomy wet/rainy weather.
As I said.
I only admire them from other gardener's picture.
I really thought - I could actually come up close and personal.

I forgot to mention.
Their blooms are fragrant - stronger closer towards the evening time and night.
And yeah - if you are sensitive type where you don't like floral fragrance,
I bet you won't like this one.
It smelled earthly - close to something that almost like an industrial chemical, something very close to unpleasant but bearable.
And I end up taking a few more sniffs to really identify why I don't like this floral fragrance.

My wife thought something died in the garden.
That how ungraceful Hoya Carnosa can be.
I guess this variegated type is not a pleasant one.

Sometimes admiring beauty requires an acquired taste.
I guess it is a gardener thing.
And I really hope - other gardeners agree with me.

 Next another non-varigated Hoya started its first blooming.
This one is totally striking red.
And it also had the same fragrance like the pink one.
Regardless - I enjoyed this redder bloom - it was really explosive.
Like a ball of fire.

 A seedpod from a Hoya flower.

This Eria Orchid started with its flower spikes suddenly.
I thought this was a goner - never to see it blooming like thousand years ago.
An I'm not a orchid collector type - the type who goes for exclusive, rare taste..
where the flower would appear to be something like a common grass flower.

Nevertheless - It was given to me to try it out.
And me - that time, anything that can survive in my garden is considered OK.
This one stayed strong with me compared to most orchids - I often wondered whether it would ever bloom in my garden and now it started showing its inflorescence.

I understand that it is an Eria Orchid.
Or perhaps I'm wrong.
Well - let's wait and see how beautiful the blooms shows up.

The best thing to do when these don't flower at all
is to bunch all of them together and consider them as an Epiphyte corner,
placing other coloured creeping and hanging ones together to add depth and mystery to it.
And it does sort of give a nice feel of variety - something that the wild got to offer.
But mine is basically worldwide - and that is something I like about it.
Having a small portion of the entire world in a small space called my garden.
The only trouble I face is vines being vine - they tend to outgrow very fast.