I have not had any Hoyas before other than straight up H carnosa. No varigated forms or other species. I have read though the FAQ for Beginners, but I am still puzzled.
Now I currently have two, a varigated carnosa, and H kerrii. The carnosa is doing well, if growing a bit slower than my old carnosas. The kerrii, however, seems to be standing still, as if it is frozen in time. I have found no new growth on it since I bought it at a local department store, which usually has pretty good plants for sale.
I repotted it 3-4 weeks ago, to a bigger hanging basket pot, and have it in a basement eastern window, where it will get sun or bright cloudy skies for 3-4 hours a day. I plan to move this out to a place under my deck where it will recieve more like 6-8 hours of indirect sun a day.
I have also read about keeping H kerrii dry. Dry like a succulent? Fast draining mix with watering only once a week or less? How about fertilzer? My carnosa used to get 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer during the summer, and gobbled it up, growing like on steriods. How about kerrii?
Care for H. Kerrii
Hi Analog,
I live in central florida and my large kerri plant has just started putting on new growth. It had just sat there dormant from since october. But when its started growing again.....its putting on new growth fast.
You are doing good. It can take more sun then most hoyas. And it can also tolerate less watering.
As usual, beautiful plant, Ric!
ADog, H. kerii is slow to get started, but, once the growing begins, stand back!
Be careful with re-potting. I try to refrain from repotting my Hoyas until they are in active growth. Up potting Hoyas in too large a container can result in delayed growth.
Personally, I only use 20-20-20 fertilizer in late winter and switch to a low nitrogen (first #)fertilizer in mid spring.
Mel
H. kerrii can take ALOT of light - lots of sun, infact. It grows very epiphytically and really enjoys a very small pot for a long time!! Mine are blooming in their dry small pots.... Mel is spot on about pots being too big...hoyas seem to want to fill out the pot before growing.
Ah, yes, that may be part of it. I bought it in an 6 inch, which it was way too big for, and moved it to an 8 inch. So it may be working on some roots.
Right now, it looks like the lows are in the low 40's at night. Is it too cool to move outside, or should I give it a more prominent position inside?
It likes a lot of light and warm.
How is your kerri doing? I started one from a single cutting with 4 leaves on it over 2 years ago, and though it grew initially after rooting, it then slowed down and did practically nothing....putting it outside in the warmer months made a difference, but I think it just takes time. Now the thing is huge - but it is kind of a sneaky hoya, kind of grows when you aren't looking! One day it is small, you turn your head for a minute, and BAM! It triples in size overnight (well, I am exaggerating but you know what I mean)
It got big enough for me to take 2 other cuttings from it so that I 'd have a fuller plant, so don't be discouraged... and I agree with everyone about high light, the more the better... but to tell you the truth, mine was getting not-so-great light all winter and spring, in a north window, and it is now ready to bloom for the first time.
My H. kerri is growing although slowly. I moved it upstairs where our house is warmer, and it seems to be responding to the heat. I am seeing new growth in several locations. I am looking forward to the summer actually getting here, so I can move them outside into the 70s and 80s we call summer up here.
H. kerrii grows a little slower than toenails....wherever you put them!!! They don't mind sun either....
They can take full sun?
Some... full sun all day may be a bit much but they are tough critters!!!!! Your sun up there in the PNW isn't all that strong, anyway.