Hello,
I'm totally new to hoyas. I'm intrigued by them, however, and I have a bare hook in the bathroom of our new house that seems to be waiting patiently for one. It's over the jetted tub in a southeast window, but I don't think it will get much direct sunlight. Does anyone have any suggestions for a hoya that would go well there? (Or, if that ends up not being a good place for a hoya, where would?) A good hoya for a newbie that's pretty and smells good and blooms a lot? And then of course if I get one, I'll probably get two...
Has anyone ever ordered hoyas from Rob's Violet Barn? I'm thinking of placing an African Violet order, and they also sell hoyas. It would be nice to get them both together unless they're not recommended for some reason. I know people on the AV forum have been happy with them.
Thanks for any help!
I think I want to get a hoya.
Okay, I was just looking at Rob's website and these are the ones that I think look neatest based on their pictures and descriptions: polyneura, multiflora (yeah this is upright, but I said I'd probably get two, right?), and lanceolata bella. But they say lacunosa is their very favorite, and that curtsii is prettiest for a hanging basket. Anyway, that was to give you an idea of what catches my eye. I'm open for your suggestions. You're the experts, after all!
--Dana
Dana,
I have never ordered from Robs, but, have heard great things about them.
You have great tastes and the plants you have picked are excellent.
I would suggest that you start out with a H. carnosa for the hanging spot you describe. Unless you get a mature plant, it will take awhile to have a nice full basket for that spot.
You can often find full baskets of H. carnosa at Lowes, Target or Home Depot.
Definatley treat yourself to a H. lacunosa too. The delicate leaves and fresh fragrance is sure to please!
Okay, I thought I've seen hoyas at those kinds of stores, but I wasn't sure. I'll have to check, because it would be nice to start out with a more mature plant in that spot, at least. I'll probably try Rob's too-- there are a couple other spots where I think they would go. The plants you suggested both look great! I hope this isn't the beginning of another addiction!
Another one that a lot of people overlook is H. shepherii (nicknamed "stringbean hoya" because the leaves are long like green beans). It grows well, is easy care, can handle cool temps, blooms profusly on & off all summer when mature,and the blooms smell wonderful. I have them hanging outside my bedroom window, and I can smell them when I walk in the room at night. (I recently added a small lacunosa next to one and the combination smells is really something.) I almost can't go to sleep at night for all the deep breaths I keep taking. Ha Ha.
Marcy
I agree with Mel....totally. There are really good finds at Lowes and bigger nurseries...of the more common ones...but great prices. Get used to them and then branch out into the Wide Wide Wide World of Hoyas. When I was on the mainland I found H. kentiana, huge H. lacunosas and some other than H. carnosas....
Yay, I just returned home with my first hoya! It's a H. carnosa from Lowes, and it's a nice size. When I hung it up, I realized that the plant hangs kind of above the window. Should I put it down until it grows more? Will it cascade down eventually? I can't wait until it blooms!
This weekend is my anniversary (six years, and many more to come!), so my husband said I could order some plants from Rob's as my "present." I think I might try a hoya or two from there, also. I've been admiring them for a long time. :)
Is the "string bean" one harder to find? I think I saw a picture of one in PF, but I don't think it was on Rob's. Interesting note about the combination of the scents.
Thanks for your suggestions!
--Dana
Uh oh...famous last words....I think I want to get a hoya......or ten or 100.....or all of them.....
Oh, do I remember those words so well!! it is doing good just coming home with one!! LOL
I remember my first hoya which was a kerri cutting. I didn't even know what it was for months. When I found out, that was the beginning of my addiction ... many, many hoyas ago!!
Hi all. I'm fairly new to DG and have dropped in on a few of the hoya discussions. I have pubicalyx, polyneura and two carnosa(s). I have ordered from The Violet Barn (Rob's Violets) twice. The plants are small (2") but healthy and well rooted. I ordered my polyneura from them. They ship very promptly and the packing couldn't be better. Happy shopping!
Hi there, and welcome to DG! So with hoyas will one plant eventually fill out into a nice plant, or are they the kind you'd like more than one to plant in one pot? I really like the polyneura-- it's on my list!
Oh, one more thing: on Rob's they describe them as cascading (like for a hanging basket?), vine (like it needs to climb something??) or spreading (?). What exactly are these three habbits, as far as how I'd need to plant them and where I'd put them?
Thanks so much for all the help! I'm getting excited. :)
--Dana
My take is that "cascading, vining and spreading" are to be interpreted many ways...whatever the grower wants you to believe!!!
For instance: 1) Cascading brings to my mind H. curtisii, flowing over the pot...yet I also have it growing up a tree, porch post and mosquito screens! 2) I think of vining as, say, any of them that will grow twisting themselves around the supports of a hanging pot...UPwards like - well, all of them, and 3) H. cumingiana, H. lobbii or H. multiflora (spreading or branching) which don't grow aerial rootlets at the drop of a hat, but when they get large enough, they will insinuate themselves up trees.
Hoyas, to my mind, can grow anywhere and any how you want them to - mostly don't want them to. They will get there!!! Given the chance, all of them will go UP, clinging and nurishing themselves thru their rootlets like Philodendrons. Lacking the chance to grow up...they will hang and look for something to crawl up, eventually. I once had a H. carnosa that hung down 20' and then back up again along another vine hanging down. The weight brought it down and the natural intention to climb took it UP again!!!
Does this help?
Carol
Carol-- thank you! That helps a LOT. I just got the carnosa, whcih is hanging now. I thought it would be neat to get a climbing one to compliment it. Sounds like my choices are open!
Thanks,
Dana
Someone once told me about a H. carnosa they had hanging from the ceiling: in a huge pot suspended by (of all things) chaings. The hoya hung down AND wound up the chains....
Tomorrow I will try to take some photos of plants doing both....
TTFN