I have a Hoya bella that has always given me problems. The leaves invariably get pitted, yellow, and fall off. The plant is now four years old; it is almost always in blossom, but it is constantly losing leaves. I got so sick of cleaning up after it at home that I moved it to work, and now clean up after it there. I've tried growing it wet, then dry, then in between. I've grown it with humidity, and without. It seems to do a little better with more humidity, but still loses leaves. I've grown it cool, then warm, but nothing seems to make a difference. I would hate to throw it out, as it does currently have 10-12 flower clusters on it. Does anyone have any idea what the problem is with this plant? Could it be a fungus that causes the pitting and yellowing of the leaves. I don't think there is any insect activity, because I've really scrutinized this plant and have never found any evidence.
Any Idea What Is Wrong With My Hoya bella
Did you check for web-less mites? Take a damp white tissue, cotton or Qtip and swab the underside of the leaves. My bella had the same symptoms and it was orange mites. The only one of my hoyas that gets them.
Thank you Keyring, I will try it, but will be extremely surprised if I find something like that. I have examined many a leaf that has fallen off looking for insects, and never found any. Of course the old eyes also are not what they once were:)
Oh, I really hope they're not mites - those things are a real pain! And it's such an adorable hoya too...
Well, Doug...I hate being a badnews bear...but I had the same problem with a HUGE H. bella I had that grew and grew and bloomed and bloomed!!! It lived outdoors in a spot it really was happy in. Then I started noticing the oldest growth, coming out of the pot, was the worst..bald as a can be...not a leaf in site.
Thinking the pot was too small, I repotted it up...and it just got worse!!! I remembered that years ago I read that H. bella sometimes needs to be 're-done'...that it has a life span of undetermined time and there comes a time to take a mess of cuttings!!!
I do know that my H. bellas grow best outside in the shade house, NOT in the greenhouse. They get a nice breeze most of the time in the shade house, and always perk up when I put them out there. You might try that...put it outside...(in Vermont? you are going to gasp!!!)...or somewhere where it gets air movement. Also, it does prefer cool to warm I have found.
This is not a big help...but just to let you know it isn't YOU.
Carol
Carol, that is exactly what mine is like - tons of bald spots, and yes I have repotted it twice with different potting mixtures it just does not seem to matter. I also have gotten so sick of the mess that I have put it outside on my porch in the past,and yes it does seem to get a little better. I think I will enjoy it outside for the summer, take a bunch of cuttings and toss the plant in the fall. Thank you so much for telling me that it is not my fault. It helps a lot.
Doug
Nah, H. bella is a real fusspot!! when she gets older. Like me!!!
If that is why mine still looks unhappy, I'll be delighted.
This reminds me that I was reading about grafting hoyas in Ann's book last night and I think bella was the one that was mentioned. Hmmm. I am always up for trying something new.
I am having the same problem with my bella. I have also tried different soils and different pot sizes, and also different types of watering (more water and less water). And mine blooms as well, even though the leaves are wilted, yellowing, and falling off! It is now undergoing intensive care. I have it in a baggie now with lots of humidity. The baggie is "mostly" open on top near the pot and I also punched some holes in it to let air in. I went away this weekend and when I came back no leaves had fallen off and it seems to look a little better. I have also been keeping the soil more on the moist side. I hope that helps. I've heard bella is fussy, so I won't take it too personal if it fails on me.
Gabi