Until very recently, all of my big plants have hung out of the pots...trying to climb into everyone elses' pots/hangers etc. A few days ago I started putting the big ones in wide shallow planters and attaching upsidedown tomato cages to the pot and then a hanger on the narrow end. The smaller ones I have rigged bamboo hoops for them to climb on as well as the hanger wires. Well, those that have been on the new system have shot out, thrown on peduncles like mad and are threatening to bloom!!!
Has anyone else noticed this? Seems like given what they WANT to do makes them very happy... Perhaps that's why the Swedish hobbyists have such great luck blooming them because they generally grow them on great hoops and structures. Hoyas like H. cembra, H. cumingiana and such I have just left to hang...they seem happy that way....
Now I am going to do all of them...any body notice any special needs of hoyas in their pots?
Hanging vs. Climbing
Carol, another trick we use to jump start plants at the Huntington is fresh soil, it works every time. Norma
I always use fresh soil...never reused stuff. You are right. I am also using squares of window screens in the bottom of the pots so the organic material doesn't "migrate" out.
Carol,
I have always hung my Hoyas on a wire hoop simply because I like the ease of keeping them tidy. I have to move them inside when cool weather arrives and back out for warm weather. During the winter months they are cooped up in a large wooden box with fluorescent light fixtures. They grow very well here in the winter though. The wire hoops allow them to take up MUCH less space. I think they look really neat all curled around the hoops. This is a photo of the cv. Krinkle 8 I received from you not too long ago. It is putting buds on two of its peduncles AGAIN!
Susan
Forgot to mention that when the remnants of hurricane Francis came howling through last week the Hoyas were happy to hang and swing. Kept tons of them from falling off the banisters and being broken. We got 7 inches of rain in a very short time and gusts of wind up to 45 miles per hour I think I heard. Not so much as a leaf was damaged. What a relief. Now if they can just hold up to Ivan........... (keeping my fingers crossed!!!!!!)
Another view of other hanging Hoyas.........
Yes...really nice display! Is that your new addition?
Your hoyas look really healthy, Susan!!! See some old friends there!
Carol
Thanks for the comments! That is part of the new addition. Yes Carol, you do see some old friends there don't you! I just adore these plants! They looked so funny swinging in the storm! I am counting on tons of blooms next year as they will be able to stay out ALL summer since the addition is now complete.