Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Inquiring...... about growing mediums...., 0 by kabob

kabob wrote:
Good thread!

GENERAL CONDITIONS: Central Illinois - Zone 5. We experience all four seasons, so length of days can vary as much as 3-4 hours. Although I once grew my hoyas in my greenhouse (and may again someday), an almost total loss due to a week-long freeze inspired me to bring them in. So, I grow my hoyas indoors, in a sunroom, most of the year, with the exception of 3-4 months of summer when they are on a screened-in-porch. I run a humidifier in the sunroom to keep the humidity above 65%. Humidity %age on the porch is less consistent. Sunlight in both the sunroom and the porch is bright, indirect. I have tried hanging them from trees, but japanese beetles, locusts and a geographic proclivity for high winds/tornadoes have caused me to pull them back in. I do use grow lights some, but am not impressed with the amount of growth I see on the "low shelf" hoyas that have the grow lights vs the ones that receive "real" light.

FERTILIZER: I use MSU fertilizer on 4 out of 5 waterings, and then I "flush" with plain water on the 5th watering. I should note that my water is well water. I only fertilize once a month during the winter months. I use Eleanor's as a foliar spray about once a week or so on my rooted plants. I use it daily on my rooting cuttings.

POTTING MIX: I use 1/3 Promix, 1/3 Orchid Bark, and 1/3 hydroton and perlite combo. When I didn't have hydroton or perlite, I have been known to use pebbles to keep the mix fast-draining! I have NOT had good results with straight perlite, or with using perlite in the bottom 1/4 of my pots. Although the roots are quick to develop, for me, the perlite turns into cement, the plant looks distressed, and I have actually had to tear (YIKES) roots away from the sides of the pots when repotting.

WATERING: I water about once every ten days in the winter and fall, and about once a week during summer and spring. I did experience alot of yellow and/or limp leaves this winter, and I believe it's because, in the sunroom, all the hoyas, hanging and in pots, have saucers. Although I try to be cautious about not letting the hoyas have wet feet, it sometimes happens. So, I think with them on the screened-in porch, where they are allowed to play sans saucers, the water will flow through, the plants will experience better drainage, and I will see less yellow and limp leaves....I guess that's my experiment for the summer!

BRIBERY: I am not above this if it would increase the number of blooms I get on my plants!

Photo is of cv Iris Marie which finally fully bloomed!

Karen

This message was edited Jun 4, 2008 8:11 PM