A couple of years ago my sister and I placed an order with Carol, we both ordered a start of H. cv. Optimistic. Both were comp. in size. Today when I was on a visit to her home, I was just in awe of the size of her Hoya compared to mine. Not only was the size double of mine, but so was the amount of vines that her's had put on. We grow in different windows, mine morning, her's the hot afternoon, eriostemma's love the sun, and I just thought that was the reason why. Come to find out she fertilizes every watering with her Dove's droppings. Could this possibly be the difference in growth, or is it the light source? I either need to nock some more windows in the house or get a dove..
Could it be her fine feathered friend fertilizing????
Tami--Remember her carnosa in water that kept blooming ??? I believe she fed it dove crap also............Only Shary could get it all to work.............SANDYC
When I opened this thread, I thought Tami was going to show a photo of a parrot pooping in a hoya pot!
Bird Poop has the highest N of any of the Poops....(over cow, sheep, horse, goat etc.)...no wonder they love it!!!! Wowser!
I have found eriostemmas to be a diverse group. I group them together and all get really bright afternoon sun. Optimistic, Ruthie, ciliata and coronaria have grown like mad and are blooming non-stop. Others like guppyi, lauterbachii, and a few cv's are really slow. All are given the same conditions and one would think they would have similar growth habits.
Carol, was wondering yesterday if you might remember a plant I sent you that I had ordered from September Song. I beleive it to be an eriostemma due to it's apperance and growth habit, but, it has pubescent leaves (both front and back) and they feel fuzzy to the touch. It must have 100 peduncles, however, I have yet to have a flower umbel open. Just wondering if you had bloomed it and if so, if you have confirmed an Id. I can't remember, but, it seems it was sent to me as H. angustifolia.
Mel...gotta think about that one. I remember receiving it, I remember the tag on it, too (like a greyblue miniblind?) I can see the handwriting...but save me if I can remember the plant. Gotta meditate on that.
How big are the leaves?
ROFLMAO!!! Carol that would be something that I would typicaly do. Always the comedian.. I went right over to my sisters this morning and cleaned out the bird cage. Ewww, I don't know about this. Now my Dove poop tea is brewing, will let everyone know the results. And change windows for all the eriostemmas. I was hoping to get bloom spurs this year, but not a one. Maybe with the change of lighting. Mel what do you think the problem is with yours not blooming? Sounds like great conditions..
Sandy your right she did have one just rooting that bloomed it's little head off. I remember the flowers were such a brilliant pink, compared to mine. And huge. Gosh I wish cage cleaning wasn't so darn stinky.. Maybe I can use my tortoise's poo?
Tammy,
I really hate to ask this, but what are you doing to brew the dove's droppings. Ewwwwwww is right! I am not sure I an this desperate for blooms.
Deb
LOL Deb.
It was pretty sick.. I just have about a cup of poo and a gallon of water sitting out in the garage. I guess she lets it brew for a couple of days and then strains it. I really don't know if I will be able to do it either. Very weak stomach here. You really would not believe the difference though. Do you keep your Hoyas outside in Vegas?
Tammy,
Yes my Hoyas are in the house. I do have a couple of them outside, but the heat is getting to them, even though I water them everyday and mist them a couple of times a day. I think I am going to stick to Eleanor's and hope for the best. I have had some really active growth on several of the plants since I started using Eleanors about 2-3 months now. I think I am drawing the line on the bird poo.
Good luck and I hope you get the great results your Sister is getting.
Deb