Yes, I know technically they're called "peduncles", but back in the '70's we called them "bloom spurs" and I think that peduncle sounds kind of icky...like something you might go to the doctor with and get lanced...('I've got peduncles". "Well, if you wear your clothes right, no one will know")....so anyhow, I'm going to call them bloom spurs...Everyone is waking up now, and, while I know there's a huge difference between having bloom spurs and having actual flowers, I'm excited to see that h. sheperdii, h. serpens, h. lobbii, h. cv. minibelle, and h. cinnamomifolia are all sporting bloom spurs...oh, and h. bella, but I don't really count her because she's been happily producing spurs and blasting them since January and I see no reason for her to stop now, curse her...
So how are everyone else's hoyas doing in the Spring weather? Bloom spurs? Lots of new growth?
Shelley
Bloom spurs!!
Shelley,
Love your take on the word peduncles. Maybe you could put some salve on your peduncles and take two aspirin and call the Dr. in the morning. LOL.
My hoyas here in Illinois are doing pretty good but are still all in the house. We can't seem to get and keep any warm weather. I have some new cuttings that are just rooting and I am waiting for the roots to get a little longer, like maybe an inch. I have them all in water and have put rooting compound on them. Others are getting "bloom spurs" and others better start soon. I have had to "talk" to a couple more about the "bloom spur" thing.
Dee
Dee---My hoyas are all still in the house too---we had nearly two weeks of temps in the 70's and then last night a frost warning and temps in the 30's...sigh...I'm not even thinking about putting them outside until the end of May....I think it's just the longer and stronger daylight that's triggering the new growth...also, I just switched to the MSU fertilizer and that MIGHT be having an effect...
Shelley
Seems like we've had colder weather then usual here this year too.
And the vog from the volcano isn't helping matters any either.
But, I have a nice long peduncle growing on my h. obscura and
one on my h. pubicalyx. I think my h. obscura will win out and she
will be my first EVER to bloom !!! Yaaaayyyy....
And all of them are growing new vines and
leaves like crazy !
I just ordered some MSU fertilizer, haven't used it yet, but will post
any effects when I do ( if there are any ).
Paula
Paula...I find that the MSU fertilizer builds nice healthy FAT roots....that's why I really like it. It has a good shot of calcium and magnesium in it...and calcium is critical for cell structure and health. I may try alternating it with Chicken Poop Tea (CPT) to give a bit of variation...but first will set up a test area and see if I see any difference. I will try one tray with just CPT, one tray with just MSU and one tray with the combination given half strength on alternate weekends.
Fun experiment ! Will look forward to your findings ^_^
Paula,
I do the beer fertilizer and have had great success with that. I know others would disagree but sure works for me. And as I have said it the past, " what works for one may not work for others." And I like to stick to what I know and what works for me. . My DH is a chemist so I do take advice from him. Happy Hoyaing! Is that a word?
Dee