I rec'd this cutting in a DL order. It is not like any other hoya cutting I've ever gotten before. It's a stiff straight stick with leaves on it. Right now i have it in water with ST and a plastic bag over it. I have rooted just about all my cuttings I've ever gotten in water. This one is so different I'm not sure if this will work for this one. Any advice on getting this cutting to root? Thanks
Dawn
Imperialis cutting
Dawn,
WOW, have all your other cuttings rooted? Did you give it a sharp cut before putting it in water? Is the end of the stem in the water still firm? And, you do have a leafless node under water? If yes to these questions, try a little bottom heat on your rooting jar. In my experience, H. imperialis is a bit slower rooting. If your stem is old wood, it is a slower process than rooting semi-ripe stems.
You could also try rooting your cutting with perlite, vermiculite or a good seed starting mix. You may have to place a rock or 2 to keep it from falling out of the pot.
No worries as long as the cutting is not rotting. If you see rot, chop on that cutting until it bleeds white sap.
Then, put on relaxing music, sit back and send the cutting positive vibes......(just kidding)
Mel
Dawn... my experience with H. imperialis is that it rots easily....I would try Mel's suggestion and try a loose mix and be sure to get the node in contact with or in the mix. Keep the mix just damp... LOTS of light and LOTS of warmth....put it in the highest area of your growing area where the most heat is. This is a very tough hoya.... I have found it growing (in Sabah) where there was no rain for months, very hot and very dry!!! It was really happy!!!
OK thank you to both. No Mel, what I meant to say is the hoya's I've rec'd in the past have all been rooted in water excpet my H. multiflora (it died) and my H. odorata. I did these as you suggested. This one is just so different that i was not sure as to what to with it. I will check it and make sure it's still healthy looking and the tomorrow i'l pot it ups some damp perlite mix. Thanks for info!
dawn
Dawn, I'm also in the process of rooting an H. imperialis cutting in perlite (the pot then put in a large baggie to create a more humid environment) and it's already responding and sprouting root nubs along the stem after a week....
Julia
Thanks Julia. When I get home I'll try that. I wonder though. When I looked at it last night, it looked fine. It was still hard. Just nothing heppening. (I still have it in water)
Years ago I made the discovery of putting my H. imperialis at the highest point in the greenhouse where it was the warmest...that puppy LOVES warm!!!
Dawn, I took my out of water because the bottom started to rot...
Well, when I get home it will go in a good draining potting mix in my GH up top where I have my plumeria cuttings.