Hello Hoya Fans:
My name is Richard and recently became disabled. I have a background in landscaping and greenhouse growing so love plants. With the disability, I've decided to begin collecting two things.
Tillandsia as they need no soil and are extremely light weight. The second would be Hoya. I have always loved them and I would like to ask you all what are some of your fav's.
For someone just begining a collection, which would you say would make the best start to a very nice collection. And could you please advise me on quality sources for the plants?
With so much free time on my hands now I hope so see and hear from you all much more in the future. I'm getting ready to move to a new place which will afford me much more room for my plants.
Thank You in advance for any replies you would send my way. I will truly appreciate any information you may provide.
Richard
Wanting to start a collection
Sorry to hear that misfortune brought you to hoyas...and combined with Tillansias you will have a lot of fun and exciting times! Tillansias are one of my faves...I love the fragrance of Pink Quill. Have you ever seen the fake trees, like the one in Fairchild Botanical Garden? It is make of PVC pipe and covered with Cork bark...others have used chickenwire stuffed with spagnum moss to make the "branches" and then it is "planted" with epiphytes. A friend of mine has done it with an old plumeria tree...and has lots of Tillansias, orchids etc., all fragrant, and it is spectacular. I will try to find a picture!
Gee, what fun...starting from scratch! I think the first thing I would do is to go to all the links at the top of the Hoya Forum thread, put together by PanamonCreel and read everything you can about Hoyas. There are quite a few very good information links there. Since there are so many hoyas...different growing styles, fragrant/non fragrant, small/big leaves, easy bloomers or not...I would look at what kind appeals to you! There are also different temperature tolerances, light tolerances... It seems that a lot of your capabilities will come into play here...lifting, watering etc.
Others on the forum have much more experience growing hoyas inside...I am spoiled with a very blessed climate and really admire the heck out of the great collectors on this forum who grow magnificent hoyas in cold climates...even warmer ones!!!
Glad to "meet" you Richard...
Aloha,
Carol
Here's a picture of my friend's plumeria completely dwarfed in Tillansias, orchids and bromiliads.... It is the big mound in the background!
The planting is 20 years old...but I have started a couple and they look good from the beginning...
OH, this isn't completely off topic...he grows great hoyas too!!!
Carol
Hi Richard and welcome.
Besides the wonderful links in the Garden Watchdog, many of us have found that interesting Hoyas can be bought at OSH, Lowes, Walmart, and other places you wouldn't suspect! Often they have them in small sizes which are an economical way to aquire lots of different things. Ask the nursery department manager when they get shipments of houseplants, and plan to visit the next day "while the pickings are fresh"! You may also want to check to see if you have a local Hoya club and watch for local plant shows (sometimes they're held at the mall or fairgrounds other easily accessable places). I bet you will have a lovely collection in no time!
Karen
(Edited to note....don't always believe the tag unless you purchase directly from a competant grower. Many "super store" plants are mislabeled....so check the flowers and leaves for an accurate ID)
This message was edited Jan 29, 2005 11:43 AM
Hi Richard and welcome aboard the hoya train:-). You've come to the right place if your interest is hoyas. As mentioned previously there are many places to buy hoyas. I've just recently purchased some from AlohaHoya, here is the website address in case you're interested http://www.bigislandgrowers.com/products/catalog_list.php?g=6
Blessings,
Awanda
Awanda also has a store here...gosh...don't know how to access it. She has great feedback on the Garden Watchdog and has great quality plants, too. Garden Watchdog is a good place to look for good vendors!
What's the name of Awanda's business Carol?
ACsAgapePlants -
She is a really keen grower ...
PLANT PEOPLE RULE!
LOL
Carol
...and it is true.
Thank You everyone for the posts.
And Carol, I have approx. 90+ Tillandsia now with some on the way from Guatemala, via Florida as I type. But that Epiphyte Tree is absolutely wonderful.
As for being off topic, aren't there a few Hoyas that are epiphytes as well? So you weren't off at all. lol And Thank You.
Cool. Maybe we can trade!!!
Hi Richard, Welcome to Dave's Garden and the Hoya forum. If you are in the need to know here is the place.lol A lot of great people here. I have gotten from Awanda and Carol. You will get only nice plants. Also i have had some luck with ebay. You might want to take a look. Not all know what plants they are selling. So you do have to be careful. I have never seen a Tillansias. Maybe you could post a picture?? Binky :))))))
Hi Everyone:
Sorry for the delay in getting back on here. I moved and it took the first week to get phone service, and then the next to get internet service. I would say that that is what I get for moving to a small town but now that I have service I'm loving it.
Binky, the picture Carol posted above has several Tillandsia with in it. Tillandsia are a group of plants known as "Airplants" as they don't require soil to live. There are some in the Plant Files here, some of which I posted, but they are a lot of fun to work with because no heavy lifting, or soil to spill.
As soon as I truly get settled I will be getting ready to purchase. Thanks to all for your comments!!!
Richard T