For all you H. subcalva growers - do your new leaves come out...funky? My subcalva is growing well (even has a peduncle!), but the new leaves are white and pink and deeply-veined. I'm wondering if this is from a soil deficiency or if this is normal. Sorry for the crappy photograph - I'm at my office and took it with a camera phone....
Julia
Here is another shot:
There are lots of theories, nutrient balance and too cool temperatures being two. I personally think that the clones of subcalva we have in America may be infected with some weird virus. Carol has had hers tested and the results were negative for most of the common viruses, like tobacco mosaic, but I wonder if this isn't some really obscure virus that isn't common on cultivated plants. That's just my guess, of course. When everything is perfect for subcalva it grows okay for me, but if even one thing stresses it out this is the result, That is true of some other plants that have viruses, like passiflora 'Incense' and some Cannas.
As Mark said, mine does the same...and sometimes the mature leaves come out OK and sometimes they are sort of twisted. Blooms OK tho'...and I haven't noticed any other hoyas getting a plague...
Julia, is your plant getting lots of light? My H. chlorantha var. tuitelensis has the same color on all of its new leaves, then they turn normal green when they mature. It is in a west window, but there is an awning on the window. (benefits of buying a house from retired people, include expensive add-ons such as permanent awnings on west and south windows, and mature, landscaped lawns with sprinklers!! HA)
I hate to think virus.....bright light seems to turn most of my new baby leaves pink to red, but the chlorantha's come out almost white.
Good luck,
Sara
I hope it isn't a virus too, but I suspect it is. The new leaves aren't just strangely colored, they are also often distorted, stunted and sometimes drop off altogether. They also has thinner patches on some areas of the most intense coloration.
The plant is flooded with direct morning light. And like Mark says, the new leaves are also kinda runty and stunted. None have dropped off yet, and it seems to keep soldiering on. Some have turned green after emerging pink and white....I was wondering if it's a nutrience deficiency, actually.
Julia
I have some plants that exibit the same wierdness...and usually they correct themselves after a while...dunno why. Some will suddenly go into it and then out...some never secumb. I don't think it is a virus...I think it is nutritional and .... bugger me but I can't figure out what it is...or isn't. I have a H. archboldiana now for 4 years. The leaves are, and always have been totally distorted... I have taken cuttings and the cuttings are distorted. I have had the leaves tested for all known and common viruses and NOTHING. So...I think I have a Special Needs Hoya....why not?
Carol
