Am wondering if any of these would be good for a newbie to Hoyas?
Hoya ariadna
Hoya benquentensis
Hoya finlaysonii
Hoya lobbii
Unusual Hoyas?
No, if you have enough humidity. The plants don't care that you are a newbie and they will never know. Norma
Norma is right...the plants will never know!! - but no sense in challenging a hoya if the conditions aren't favorable... The easier plants to grow would be different for you than for someone in, say, California. Most aren't that fussy...but some have very definite needs.
H. ariadna is the incorrect name for H. sussuela. H. sussuela has an OK flower, no scent, likes warmth and sun and hates being moved around. I don't think she would be happy in SK and you wouldn't either!!! H. sussuela is an Eriostemma ... a section of Hoyas that more or less all have the same requirements...
H. benguetensis is a strange choice..attractive foliage, easy to grow, mine has not bloomed, but then I keep cutting on it... I don't think that would be hard.
H. finlaysonii is probably the H. aff finlaysonii (H. finlaysonii is not in circulation that much, has boring leaves and blooms for 12 hours once a year!!!). The aff. finlaysonii has attractive leaves, but a deadbeat bloomer.
H. lobbii is attractive...usually not a beginner hoya. Likes warmth and humidity.
Here are some that ARE easy.
H - cumingiana, coriacea, vitellinoides, lacunosa, obscura, pottsii....and the H. pubicalyx, H. bella, H. multiflora, H. vitellina, H. sp. Tanna, H. limoniaca...there are so many easy ones to grow.
Stay away from the Eriostemmas. They are fickle....except for one that is a hybrid...cv. Ruthie...she is a weed!!! VERY easy as long as she has strong light and warmth.
You might want to stick with hoyas that can take cool temperatures...and that don't need long hours of sunshine to start off with.
Some of the MOST successful hoya growers are in Sweden, Denmark, Norway...it is aMAZing what they grow and how they get blooms!! You might try contacting someone there...I can give you some names if you don't have any. I am speculating about growing hoyas in cold climates..only because I have never done it. On my website there are some articles ... lists of hoya temp requirements (for some)...
Hope this helps.
Thank you so much for the information and help Carol and Norma! Ü
I think you supplied me with enough information Carol......your write up on the conditions the above listed plants need will more than suffice.