OK, I need some expert advice here.....The two hoyas listed above have "shrivly" (is that a word?) looking leaves......I keep them slightly moist, but the leaves haven't bounced back...any ideas or suggestions? I live in NY and keep them in a nice warm room with good vent, light and humidity....HELP!
H. Lambii and H. Pusilla with shrivling leaves?? Hoya 911!
I wonder if the vine is dying? I've had that problem on a few different varieties when the vines dry and die ... I never notice until the leaves begin to shrivel. Just yesterday I noticed my big H. compacta with some leaves like that, and sure enough the stem is dead. I should have started cutting it back to see if I could get to some live vine but just didn't have the energy.
I'm not sure what causes the problem .. with mine it may be they got too dry while I was out of town for 8 days. I watered well before I left for my trip but it's been extremely dry here and I came back sick with a cold, so they ended up going almost another entire week without moisture ... until the rains came today. We've had a couple of inches of rain today with no let-up in sight. It's supposed to continue through tomorrow. For now all of my plants are happy with the moisture but we are predicted to have a lot of rain off and on through next week and then they will probably be happy to dry out again for awhile. Poor plants probably wonder what kind of person would treat them like that!
Hopefully someone will come along with some advice for you, and tips to help the situation. You say you keep them slightly moist ... is that all the time? I'm thinking they might be getting too much moisture if the soil is always kept moist and you are misting as well.
Hi guys! No, the "soil" is not moist all the time....I let them dry before watering, but it's not like I leave them dry for long periods of time which is why I think it's odd....I guess I never really thought about "old vines" before---drying out....but maybe that's just it....they are old and dying! LOL! I think I'm going to take some good cuttings and hope for the best! I'll let you know what happens! Thanks so much!
I just found one with shrivelling leaves. No other problem with it, the vines are fine. But I'd moved it a few weeks ago to a location that gets far brighter light. I'm wondering if its either the shock of moving or the fact its getting too much light now. Could also be I let it get too dry between waterings. I've moved it back where it was to see if it makes a difference and will keep a closer eye on it. Its H. pubera. Will the challenges ever stop with these babies?
Christine
You may have a problem with root mealies. They love dry soil. Try soaking in a dishpan full of detergent, you want to have the water level just at the soil level, and a few detergent bubble does not hurt. Leave them that way for several house, and see if they improve over a week, if not you can un pot looking for root mealies and pot with fresh soil. That may be the ticket, but keep an eye out of mealies.
Ceedub, I had to re-read that a few times before realising that "BATS" must mean something other than just the night flying type, LOL.
Aaah ... BATS (Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub)! I still haven't drenched any of my plants yet! I don't bring many plants in for the winter but I still like to give them a good drench once or twice a year. I am such a procrastinator ... well, actually I'm just LAZY!
Yes...BATS will get rid of the root mealies.
If the whole plant has dehydrated leaves, check the roots.
BTW...tipping a plant in and out of pots does not jeapardize it...I often do it to check for the moisture in the pot and for root health. You should see what happens to them in the wild!!!!
Carol
Are these some of the ones you purchased from Thailand? Could be they are still adjusting - would imagine there's a big difference in weather from Thailand to NY this time of year! Would have to say taking cuttings is probably a good idea!
Good luck!
Kelly
After reading Christine's post, I checked both closely and yes, it appears as though there were some bends in the vine near the base and this could be the reason for the shrivling. Over the weekend I took good cuttings and put them in water....they are sprucing up.....I'll put the cuttings in rooting hormone this week and pot them.....keeping fingers crossed! Thanks Christine!
As for my hoyas from Thailand----one of them is a complete mess....It is, no lie, about 20 feet of vine wrapped.....at first I wanted to leave it as is until spring....but after noticing a few bends in the vine and a few shrivled leaves I've decided to take cuttings as well...just in case.....
BATS is wonderful but doesn't stop mealies completely......I use it in the fall when I bring my hoyas indoors....but I've noticed a mealie here and there over the past two months which I quickly remove. The secret is not in trying to rid them completely (which, by the way if anyone has been able to successfully do, let me know) but in controlling them.....I've seen what they can do to a plant and it's horrid! Bring out the alcohol sprayer and take no prisoners!
Since you've just recently moved the plants to more light, they will probably need more water since it may also be warmer in the new conditions. If you've not watered thoroughly recently, water well and then let the plant drain. Knock the plant out of its pot, once its well drained, if it's not too large, and check the roots. If the roots look OK, then the plant just may need a bit more water in its new location.
I would take a cutting of each plant and soak the cutting in warm water, with some white sugar added, until the cutting is turgid again and then root the cutting by whatever method you root your cuttings. If the main plant dies, doing this will at least allow you to have another start of the plant to start over with.
Good luck!
Neem oil! I've never heard of it....do you spray it on full strength?
Hoyaqueen: Although I've never used Neem I've heard a lot of great things about it! It comes from the Neem Tree and has many uses, one being a natural organic pest control that is popular with gardeners! Click on the sections in the left column at this site: http://www.organeem.com/ for some interesting information.
I use the 100% Neem. Mix 1tsp. into 1 litre of water (spray bottle size) with a small squirt of dish soap.
Beware...Neem smells like a mix of sulphur and rotten onions.
Neem is often sold mixed with other ingredients. But neem on it's own acts as a reproduction suppressant. That's why you sometimes get negative reports about it. The effects aren't instant. The adult pests persist but there's no follow up populations.
Exactly!
I had quite a problem with mealies a few years ago and got rid of them too, but I used BATS simply because its less labour intensive than Neem. Any plants I buy now are isolated before they come into contact with any existing plants I have. It paid off this past fall, when a month after I brought it home, I found tons of mealies on a bird's nest fern. I treat all of my plants about once a year now with BATS Fortunately, I had last treated them 2 weeks before I brought the fern home.
I NEVER have mealies after drenching with BATS...I think drenching is the key!!!! and I let the plants sit in the solution for about 10 mins. My whole greenhouse is free!!!