EDITED 2/10/08 to say I finally have pics if you want to scroll to the bottom. I have a Hoya "Obscura" that dear Carol gave me as a baby, bvut now it is a full grown, still growing healthy plan that produces beautiful flowers. It has done the best out of all of mine, in my eastern exposure sun only aparment, that is shaded in the summertime due to big trees near my windows.
HOWEVER - I am trying to decide what to do with it. I wish I had a photo, and if I am able to get one taken, will share it......... Houston - I have problem.
Due to lack of pots and underneath water pans, I used a plastic Ziplock or Glad type bowl as a water pan. The plant grew so fast that despite it being see-through and hanging in the window, the leaves covered the bowl and I didn't realize that the roots were growing down into that bowl.
Now the bowl/water pan is just packed with roots, and I am thinking that within the actual pot it is maybe rootbound and needs a bigger pot.
As of right now, I couldn't ask for a more beautiful, healthy and lush Hoya.
Shoud I leave it alone or repot it? If I do repot it, what about the roots in the bowl? I don't want to kill the plant!
Also, cuttings are available should you want this very non-fussy plant - with SASE (padded) or small box, pre-postage paid.
Any advice? Carol? Anybody?
Also, if there are typos, my left arm is in a full cast - so forgive me!
Thanks in advance,
Karrie
This message was edited Feb 10, 2008 3:12 PM
Hoya Concern
23 views and not a single response?
I would just leave it until spring & then repot. Things really don't like to be fussed with in the winter if you can avoid it. Especially since you say it is doing so well. Like the old saying, "If it ain't broke...don't fix it."
Roots often end up in the "catch basin". If & when you do repot, it will not hurt the plant to cut them off in order to get the plant out. In fact, a lot of times many will just come up through the holes as you unpot it.
Some people even cut a share of the bottom roots off (like slice a forth of the root ball off) if it is a large plant when they repot so you can start fresh with new soil on the cut roots in the bottom.
Your lucky it is liking your care so well. I often have trouble with obscuras in the winter. I love those hoyas though, when they bloom so generously in the summer. Delightful smell too.
Marcy
I keep forgetting to borrow my boyfriend's camera when he is here! I'd love to share a pic. I will be getting a camera of my own sometime in February (finally).
We had a bout of very cold weather here and I had to take all of my plants out of the windows - but they are all back in their happy places now.
Thank you so very much, Marcy, for your reply!
Karrie
Karrie...I have been in Malaysia...still am.
My plants often do that. I would cut the roots outside the pot, pull your plant out and pot it bigger. Give it the same treatment. that hoya loves water and good fast soil.
OR
You and cut/break the pot, rescue some of the outside roots and pot them all up. Believe me...you can reallly grow that hoya!!!!!!
Carol
Thanks Carol! I love this particular Hoya! I had one bloom last year but think I'm in for much more this next year. Perhaps I should wait until it has bloomed before taking any invasive action - as long as it is doing ok.
The roots in the bottom container always has plenty of water in it - I make sure it never runs dry.
Hope you are enjoying your time in Malaysia! Thanks Again!
Oh! not sure if I told you this before, but I now have a Hindu (or Indian) Rope Hoya. It probably won't bloom for me for a couple or more years, but it sure is an interesting looking plant! I hope it likes my lighting like the Obscura does.
Well...it may...but generally the carnosa family all like growing in shadier and cooler conditions than the Philippine hoyas. Mine is in a very shady part of the greenhouse and I keep it dry and it blooms alot!!!!!
By the way.. DH told me it rained 25inches in 6 days here...awfully wet and cold. I think I will go back to malaysia!!!
We've had our share of precipitation here as well - there are many roads closed - folks that live in the country are stranded (snow and drifting snow). Our hardest winter I think I have ever seen in Washington. Those older than me remember other hard ones that I wasn't around to witness. I would sure like some nice spring weather! Even my car is stranded. I have a broken arm so I can't shovel it out. I've depended on others to get me around. Carol - please send warm winds our way to melt all of this! What do they call that? The banana belt or pineapple belt?
The wheat farmers are loving it but said it needs to go away by April. I can see alot of flooding ahead.
PICS........ Finally! This is the one that shows the bowl with the roots in it. The roots are fairly thick, spinning around the bottom, but there is room for more, should I leave it as is until after it blooms.
Here is a pic of the whole plant. I have had to trim the bottom because there is a heat register directly below the window. I am hoping to get a hook in the ceiling in front of that window and hang it higher so that it can grow down more. This was a tiny little thing that Carol sent me about 2 years ago when I moved here.
This isn't an Obscura, but either a Hindu Rope or Indian Rope (I've heard it called both - anyone know?) The plant I got the cuttings from was very long, so It will need to be hooked high in another window soon. I realy like the peculiar leaves, and I saw the mama's flowers - very pretty.
That obscura is one big happy plant!!! Know what? i would do NOTHING until you have to pot it UP. It obviously thrives like that and loves it!!!!! Good growing!!!
Thanks to both of you. One question on that Hoya Hindu - I was given three ropes from the one plant, and planted them all together. Will they branch out or will I only have 3 long ropes? Or maybe more pop out of the soil? I'd sure like more than 3 ropes!
You will most likely have 3 ropes. You can always travel down the stem and find where there is a node branching out.... you can cut just below that so that the existing 'rope' will branch out and you can start another vine. When those are rooted...put them all together.... Hope this helps.
Yes it does! Thank you!