I've been on this forum for about 6 months now, and, thanks to the knowledge of all of you, I have learned SO much about hoyas. I'm making a list of things I've done wrong, to hopefully learn from it, and not make the same mistakes. This is what I've come up with so far:
1. Overwater, and then overwater to fix it!
2. Not mist enough
3. Assume a plant is correctly labeled when I buy it
4. Plant the hoya in too big of a pot
5. Not give enough warmth to erriostemmas
6. Not learned the correct spelling of erriostemmas (and other hoyas)
7. Not read enough on what conditions in which each individual hoya thrives (or conversely, dies!)
8. Assume that another person's successful method of rooting would automatically work for me
(NOT!)
9. Assume that, because I had success at growing one, I could grow them all
10. Underestimate just how much pleasure I can derive from (slowly) learning about hoyas
I'm sure I will continue to add to this list, and that's ok, because it means that this old gal can still learn. Just wanted to sincerely thank all of you for adding significantly to whatever knowledge I am, slowly, achieving! Karen
Things I've done wrong with hoyas...
Here's my list:
#1,2, and 3 are Overpotting- I always go for a larger size pot than I know they need, in part because I don't like watering (inside) more than once a week.
#4 has been giving improper light- in SF full sun is like part sun elsewhere- most of my light loving hoyas here are in a south facing window with a slight overhang, and the shade loving Hoyas have moved to near but not in the south window. Only lacunosa, curtisii, and the carnosa clan (so far) are happy in lower light here.
#5 is overwatering. If they're still damp, they're still damp. Hard to beleive a semi-tropical plant would only want water every two weeks in the winter here, probably a side effect of over-potting.
I'm sure there are more, but those are 2005's biggies.
Markroy, I'm just learning the importance of overpotting. I know I've heard the experts say over and over again not to repot, but it just never sticked until now! I guess my number #1 amount of light. I can't figure out the formula for high light, brite shade, etc.. #2 not enough water. I've killed more hoyas than I like to admit, by not giving them enough water. There are times when I pick up the pot and it is extremely light, then I over water them and wa la, bye bye hoya! #3 train them on plant stakes early!! Some of these buggers won't budge when they get to long. I try to insist, and they snap off, white hoya blood everywhere! Those would be my top three.
Heather
I have to say that overwatering some that don't want so much water is one of my biggies.... and also not being consistent with fertilizer (hmmmm, was it last week or the week before???? Oh well). Also I used to water in the afternoon and in the winter that can cause cold soil ... dey hate it!!!! So now I water in the mornings. But my very biggest error is losing ID tags and then having to wait years for them to bloom!!!! One of my NY resolutions (revolutions?) is to make a list of all my hoyas and where they come from....as in David Liddle who got it from Paul Shirley, or 'trade with XYZ etc.
Carol
All of the above. Thanks gang, you saved me the trouble of writing it all out.
Ann (hoya serial killer, reformed...we hope)