I am running another experiment I thought I would share: on a controlled group of hoyas recently struck and just rooted, I am giving the stem a very gentle tug every week...a VERY gentle tug. My purpose is to see if those hoyas grow faster than the non-pulled group and if the pulled group puts out a larger root system.
The basis for this experiment is a study done (I don't know when) in a forestry school in Florida (OK, so the details are vague, but I was told this by a Floridian with more green thumbs than you can count). After planting a field in trees, they took some control rows and every week tugged on the young newly planted trees. Those pulled on set out deeper, stronger root systems and grew faster than those left alone. Survival instincts!!! (if plants can have instincts?!). Will let you know what happens....
But, doesn't it make sense?
Another Experiment...
That is a very interesting thought. I will be watching this tread to see what you find. Mary (Binky) :)
I think plants "sense" things; they are living organisms. After I have planted a new cutting in its pot, I like to place that pot inside another container (such as a margerine tub) which contains very moist medium (almost saturated). It is better if the pot fits snugly inside the container limiting the amount of moisture that can escape around the sides of the pot.
I have had good luck rooting cacti and hoyas this way. It seems as if the cutting "smells" the moisture below it and sends out roots seeking it. It is actually better if you allow the medium in the pot to dry out some. The plant senses this lack of moisture as a threat and sends roots out seeking the moisture below it in order to survive.
I think that tugging on the cutting would be another way of threatening the plant, stimulating it to produce a stronger root sytem to survive.
When i water my Hoya plants, I only water around the edges of the pot. I find the roots head for the water on the edge of the pot.
I'm an equal opportunitiy employer, I treat all my plants the same. And people too. Norma
Interesting comments!
Cicada - many of my pots are in tray "liners"...fewer holes in them than the trays they rest in, thus allowing water to collect below the pots. Many...most all...of the 4" pots with 4 month old cutting in them show roots coming out of the bottom. This tells me that our beloved "don't water them until they are dry" hoyas, go for moisture!!!
David - much of the literature I have read talks about planting hoyas in the pot with the "crown" higher than the edges, so that the water runs to the sides of the pot. I do try to follow that, too. If the center of the pot where the main stem is takes all the water...Hello root/stem rot.
Thanks for the ideas.
Alas, Susan...computers know no boundaries....
I am using David's computer....peacocks howling in the Background,....a cold Dark and Stormy (Ginger Beer with a shot of rum) in my hand and good potting soil under my fingernails.
Can life get ANY better?
Hey Carol, When are you coming back? I sure envied you! Would love to be there with you and getting all that knowledge.And isn't computers wonderful. hehe Binky :)))
Half seriously, I told David he should run a Hoya Camp for two weeks in the US Winter. Get hoya addicts to come down and work in his greenhouses!!!! Think it would fly?
:o)))))
I WOULD LOVE IT!!! But would my DH?? hehe
Binky
If I could afford the plane ticket & find someone my kids would stay w/ for that long (sigh!!) IF only I had known before I met DH. Being single does have its advantages sometimes. I would have stayed for a whole year! LOL.
Gemila