A good friend of mine, with a wonderful collection of hoyas, some 4 and 5 years old, suddenly started losing her plants. The leaves turned yellow, vines dried up...and for no apparent reason. We worked thru everything and all conditions were fine. Having lost nearly her whole collection - the truth came out: a young troubled young man of 12, part of a family she helped their grandmother/guardian care for, got angry and poured straight solution of Miracle Gro in the pots until he ran out of liquid. She found the empty bottle the other day and started asking questions.
I cannot imagine the anger she feels and I don't know why I feel I should post this except to warn others not to be complacent. She beats herself up for not heeding the warning signs...but who can really tell when something like this is going to happen.
Carol
Tragic Hoya Loss
OMG how horrible! I would like to be the first to offer up one from my collection as a replacement. Anything I have is free for the asking. Please let me know who I can help.
I hope somebody unloaded a big case of "whoop a _ _" on the young man!
Susan
Susan, what a nice offer. I made the same offer and she is so depressed about it she doesn't want to have anything to do with hoyas...hopefully this will change and she will be back enjoying them. I will pass these threads on to her... She cared SO much for them and did everything right - ! Such a bummer!
Oh Carol, how dreadful! I feel your friend's pain; all that time of caring for such beautiful plants to see them die because of another person's spite. Just unimaginable. I can't of course, help replace her plants, but hope she recovers her love for hoyas enough to have them again. They reward us so much with their beauty. But I'm sure she knows that. Come back to hoyas!! You'll miss them so much, that I can promise!!
Christine
Carol, Do you think if we just sent her some cuttings that it would help? I know she says she don't want anymore. But you know how a person can act when they are upset. Maybe it would cheer her up in the end????? Binky :(((
Great idea...but she lives in Idaho and it is cold there now...ice/snow etc. so not a good time to send anything. Plus, she is hopeless rooting cuttings...she admits it. I would love to send her this thread so she can see all the support. Do you mind?
I don't mind. If you think it will make her fell better. I think I will start getting some cuttings started so that maybe in march we can send her some cutting already rooted. We can't lose a Hoya lover!! Binky :)))
Okay! Now we're talking. Just so happens I will be able to propogate some cuttings this winter and by the time it warms up I should have some lovely plants to send her. I also have a couple extra's of some very large hoya as well.
An evil act can always be undone by an act of love. Sharing is just another way to express it.
Susan
AMEN !!!! Susan
Gosh...you guys are super. I sent Sandy your posts and she was touched...to the core. Said to thank you so much and that she really felt badly for the 12 year old who had to act out that way.!!!
Aloha