I have two small H. coronaria plants (separate pots) - one's leaves are bright shiny green, roundish with a pointed tip - the second ones leaves are rounded with no point and the new leaves are a darker bronzy green. At first I thought that they were different types but two days ago the bronzy one started to wilt. I had just been reading in the Propagation Forum and on the web about the use of peroxide to start seeds and to help provide more oxygen to the roots of plants that were overwatered. Well, not wanting to lose the Hoya, I tried 1+ oz of peroxide to 1 qt water and flushed the plants. The soil of the ailing one began to heave. Within one day the leaves stopped wilting and today have regained their gloss.
Had I been providing too much water? Could the leaves of the ailing plant be deformed because of some root disease/problem? Why did the soil heave on just one? I would appreciate your opinions and wisdom. Also, have you used peroxide on your Hoya?
Is this a root problem?
I have a coronaria that didn't grow well until I put it inside my Biglots greenhouse (it's inside my house with a heat mat on the top shelf for starting seeds - the hoyas are on the lower shelf enjoying the humidity). The leaves are bronzy when they are new, no real point on the end of them, maybe just enough so they are not perfectly round. More pointed when new, rounder when mature. Never tried peroxide water, would like to hear from anyone that did, if it's a cure for anything.
Anyone else try watering with peroxide solution? Sounds like a good idea.
Hmmm, interesting thread. At one point in my life I knew someone who was adding peroxide to her drinking water for "cleansing." I read a lot about peroxide and found that the one we use for wound cleansing (3%?) has a lot of preservatives in it. They (the supposed "experts") suggested using the hydrogen peroxide that is used for preserving food as it doesn't have the preservatives. I think that if I were to try this on my hoyas, that's the one I'd opt for. Please be advised that I'm not promoting this particular product, just giving an idea of the difference in the properties of the peroxide you buy off the shelf at the drug store and the concentrated and unpreserved product used for food preservation and (apparently) great seed germination and root growth. http://www.theindoorgardener.com/super1.htm
Eileen, glad to know that someone else has a coronaria. It's difficult to find anything on this Hoya. Now at least I know that the new leaves should be bronzy (thanks) and that it likes a little less water than the other Hoya that I have. The leaves are definitely deformed though.
Stella, thank you for that info. Because I was desperate when my coronaria drooped, I did use the drug store 3% hydrogen peroxide. The ingredients are hydrogen peroxide and purified water - doesn't list preservatives - or maybe that's not required for a topical anti-infective?? I've been looking around for the other peroxide but it may be available only on the internet.
sveiks, I think you're exactly right. I checked my drugstore 3% and it only lists H202 and purified water. But I seem to recall that the FDA only requires them to list the preservatives if it's sold as a food additive for human consumption, which would explain. I happened to be associated with someone who preserved fruit with the food preservative strength at that time in my life, so I'm not sure where to acquire it at this point. But I'll sure research it when I get a minute. And I'll try to remember to let ya'll know my findings.
Aloha. I just found this forum...very interesting. Real addicts here!!! Just my kind of people...
My H. coronaria has quite fuzzy leaves...but then things like bronze new growth could be environmental. H coronaria is an Eriostemma and doesn't like starting out very wet...it seems to get root rot easily. She does like a lot of bright light, tho'...and fresh air.
cant wait for mine to flower!!!
Welcome, Willkommen, Bienvenue,
to the DG Hoya group Carol
If you purchased your H. coronaria from Logees, chances are that what you have is a H. australis variety. In another site, some folks bought it from Logees and once their plant bloomed, they were able to comfirm it was an australis but I can't remember which.
Sveiks, did you inspect the roots to make sure there was no root rot?? What I have noticed with some soils if they are let dry too much, when one waters it, the water flows out and the surface appears to be wet but not thoroughly. I lost a few plants this way. I was thinking I had watered them and the plants suffered. I have found that if I water with tepid water, the soil absorbs it better. I now stick my finger in each pot after watering to make sure it is indeed watered and not just look like I did. If your plant has healthy roots, then my guess would be it didn't get enough water somehow.
Carol, nice to see you. It seems this forum is new, I missed it too but now found it as well and am excited to learn & share info when I can.
Gemila
Sveiks, Gemila has some very good thoughts! Sometimes soil with a heavy amount of peatmoss dries out and then it is REALLY difficult to rewet it. Once the mixture has pulled away from the pot, the water will just course down the outside of the rootball and not penetrate. If the roots have dried as well, then it doesn't make any difference if they get wet or not...the plant is on its' way south...either from dried roots or rootrot if they get rewetted. Best to take cuts and start over.
It does sound like you may have H. australis...a MUCH easier plant to grow, and really tough!
Gemilas' advice to check that the water has gone down all the way is good advice.
One thing that helps me is mixing fine cedar bark chips with my soil mix...the bark holds moisture better than the peat, provides air in the root area and it rewets easily, helping the peat to maintain moisture too. I actually use about 25% bark, large perlite, small lava cinder, and peat. For the Eriostemmas I use less peat. My plants hang outdoors and get rained on all of the time...no problem.
Carol
Carol, do you use the spagum moss and cedar bark chips for rooting your cuttings? I have noticed that when I go to rewet spagum moss for rooting that you get balls of dry spagum in there and they are very difficult to moisten.
Patricia
Hi Patricia...I tried spagnum moss wrapped around the rooting area, placed in tiny trays and kept in water... Worked wonderfully UNTIL the plant lived in a bigger pot...the spagnum would dry out first! and kill the plant....
Now I use "coarse cut" peatmoss and #2 perlite mixed half and half with some bark. The perlite lets enough air in the root area. When I pot up, then I add more cedar bark, cinder, #3 perlite to the coarse cut peat. The coarse cut peat is put out by Sunshine and is chunkier...stays damp longer. I really like it. There is a shortage of it right now, tho' because of the cold weather in Canada.
Carol
When you have trouble re-wetting the moss use water with soap mixed in to reduce surface tension of the water. Flush thoroughly with plain water after the material is wettable again.
I have been using hydrogen peroxide on all of my houseplants, including hoyas for the past 6 months. I've seen no ill effect on any of them. I have an article about the use of hydrogen peroxide on plants if anyone is interested, email me and I'll send it to you.
Blessings,
Awanda
Dear Awanda, I sure would like your article on hydrogen peroxide. I have just stared getting hoyas. And I trying to learn all I can on them. They are wonderful plants.
Awanda, thank you so much for the great article on hydrogen peroxide.
Started trying it even before you sent the article, and it's like magic. Makes healthy plants grow even better, and really helps stressed and newly transplanted plants.
I've been trying to reply here many, many times but AOL keeps quitting :-( Let's see if I can transfer this quickly.
Aloha, Carol! And I thought my H. coronaria had chronic dust -- now I know the leaves are supposed to be fuzzy. Mine are only slightly fuzzy but the newest ones that are openning are more woolly. The world of Hoya is certainly very diverse! 'Eriostemma' that's a new word for me ... the DG Botanary terms just refer to the Greek word meaning wool and staman.
Update on the two H. coronaria: since treating them with H2O2 the "sickly" one has shot up +3 1/2" and has 2 new sets of bronzy and slightly fuzzy leaves!!! The "healthy" one has not grown one iota and its newest leaves are slightly fuzzy and bright green.
Gemila - I guess that I'll have to wait for them to bloom. I received both plants together and although they are 'almost' identical one may be H. australis. I didn't inspect the roots but they never dried out because I was treating them like the H. multiflora (too much water for the H. coronaria).
Milan, I too add a few drops of dish soap to the water if the soil becomes too dry to aid in rewetting (I even do this in the garden).
Found your discussion of potting mediums very interesting ... these are still in 2" pots and I planned to repot them together but I was waiting to be sure that they are both H. coronaria ... now I just don't know.