I'd love to hear everyone's opinions regarding what to do when you have a plant that either is starting to go downhill or just isn't doing anything at all - do you cut it up and start over, change it's conditions somehow, trim it to encourage new growth (does this work with hoyas?) or something else?
Thanks!
Kelly
When to start over.....
When mine go down hill, I just cut up start over. Some I try to change soil & pot but most likely I have to cut and start over.
Jan
would you go into a little more detail about just exactly what "cut and start over" involves. I have no idea how to root or prune hoyas.
Thanks,
Sheri
I do this all the time! When I notice a hoya isn't doing well I cut it up into bigger cuttings and start over. Quite often I get a much nicer plant than before since there are more than just one cutting in the pot.
I also do this when a plant has gotten too big... cut it up and save the best cuttings and start over with a new plant.
Sometimes I find it easier to do this with my hanging plants instead of repotting them. I always end up breaking some vines anyway. The pot gets fuller and fuller each time!
/Christina
When i see the plant is suffering...not doing well, I tip it out of the pot and check the roots. If there are still some live roots I cut the plant back, restart the the cuttings and try to rescue the original root ball.
BirdieBlue...we are talking about making cuttings, propagating them to make new plants....it is a whole different process....and one you would find fun learing as it gives you the abilty to make your own plants. There is good/excellent/thorough information in the sticky thread AND in a lot of posts in the past....
Carol
It can be tricky telling when a Hoya simply isn't growing as opposed to when it is actually sick in some way. Many Hoya cuttings will root up and then just sit there not growing for a long time, sometimes for years. Sometimes they will suddenly burst into growth for no apparent reason.
I think the best thing to do when evaluating health is to tip the plant out of its pot and examine the roots. This is one are where plastic pots have a big advantage- they usually pop out roots and all in one piece and can be slid back in with no damage. If the roots are white or light tan and look firm, they are probably healthy. If the roots are dark or look shriveled, if there are lots of broken bits or the outer skin is pulling off of the roots in sheaths, the plant is definitely diseased. Take cuttings and start over.
if a plant isn't growing but has healthy roots, I have found that sometimes a change of scenery- more or less light or water, a different temperature range (all depending on the individual plant and its preferences) will sometimes prompt a Hoya to begin growth.
The sticky does show many sites and list many types of Hoya.
I am simply wondering if starts are done in water or what. I do not find anything in "the sticky" about propagating Hoyas. maybe I am missing it. This entire Hoya site really is a lot to try to digest at once. If anyone can direct me to Hoya propagation info , or would kindly DM me a simple instruction, I would appreciate.
I have spend about many hours reading lots of Hoya info from this forum and am becoming quite an appreciator. I have 5 types and would love to know how to propagate from them, but do not want to destroy a plant or cut pieces incorrectly from a healthy plant, only to propagate by my best guess.
Thanks to anyone willing to give me a little helpful directions.
Sheri
Simply:
I am asking those who have stated here that they "cut up and start over", to please describe how they "start over", for those of us who don't know.
Thanks
Birdie, these are all propogation related threads and are full of wonderful information. Fill your boots!!
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/526223/
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/551002/
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/550897/
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/504268/
Christine
BB - Christina in Sweden has a wonderful website....and a very good section on propagation. Go to www.myhoyas.com. Once you have the basics down, you can choose whether rooting in water, hydroton, perlite, potting soil are best for you. There are many ways. I am sure that if you SEARCH on the forum for Propagation you will find lots of information. This is a subject we have talked about alot here.... Once you understand the concept, then questions to clarify are easier... you can Dmail me with these questions if you want....but to explain the whole process really takes a long time.
Have you ever started Philodendrons? Any other plants?
yes , I have been growing and propagating house plants for many years. in water,potting soil, perlite, airlayering, etc.
I am new at Hoyas, not new at gardening.
I was simply following up on the original questions answer. I only wondered if the cuttings were put in water or soil, vertical or horizontal., since the responses referred to "cutting into pieces".
It really doesn't take a long time to list a link, as some have done...Thankyou very much. I really appreciate your helpfullness.
Nor is it a long complicated process to respond "rooting in water or soil", etc.
I do not see the need for many of the responses that are given by some people here @ DG. I cannot immagine responding in a manner designed to make someone appear stupid for asking a question rather than simply answering it and being helpful.
Telling someone that they could have found the answer elswere or that there is lots of information available in no way helps that person. So why even bother typing.
Also there is no need to type out entire words in capitol letters as if hollering. How rude! Most people using computers these days know basic computer etiquette and capital letter hollering just isn't necessary.
My apologies. I do not mean to offend. But....can you imagine how tedious it can get when every new hoya grower comes on the forum and asks really basic questions that can be answered by a simple google? The sticky thread does have many links....there is more than just one sticky and Christine gave you a bunch of links. "Start over' is pretty basic to figure out the meaning....it means....starting the plant from a cutting. Sorry we are so scientific here. LOL Some people lay the cuttings down...some stand them up. Some hoyas react better to rooting if they are put in the soil to root at an angle. There are how many different species of hoya in cultivation????- that would be a long disertation.
If I knew how to italisize a word on DG I would...but I don't so that is why I wrote it in uppercase. I am sorry you took it as offensive.
have you ever thought that maybe some of us have just discovered this and know very little about computers and don't even know what a "simple google" is???
ya know...I don't appreciate your sarcastic tone. Does it make you feel superior to belittle someone who is asking for simple advise from more experienced people? the ones who want to answer can and will and there is NO reason for those likeyou to point out all the things you have. If you don't have or want to answer then why not just skip it?
I have asked very simple questions. If you don't want to answer them you do not have to, but you don't need to ridicule me or try to make me look ignorant by asking. why don't you just not post an answer!
I don't need to be told there is more than 1 sticky. There are , if fact 2, I believe. There are many threads (perhaps that is what you meant.)
I don't need you to tell me that Christine answered my questions. I can certainly read them.
You may know a lot about Hoyas, but apparently not about being kind or compassionate or patient or understanding or caring about other people.
You have made it very clear how obviously busy you are ...so why do you even bother with typing these snide remarks to me, I cannot immagine. Do you think it makes you look good, or kind, or helpful to a relative newbie.
Boy am I sorry that I even posted in yet another forum.
Once again, I have found that to ask a simple question is to invite the know it all superior types to a put down fest.
But I am glad for any OTHER hoya people to respond helpfully to me.
I thought this was a place to get help,experience and suggestions, not critisicsm, and thinly veiled sarcastic put downs!!
Knock it off, "BirdieBlue". You are over-reacting, suspiciously so.
I don't know what that means, But anyone should be able to ask a question and either get an answer or direction where to find the answer, not a lecture, or even worse ridicule.
Propogation - I'm so not the one to answer questions regarding propogation right now as I currently feel like the Serial Cutting Killer! Methods of propogation vary by individual, can vary by hoya type and environmental conditions. Methods I've used include:
1) using a mix of equal parts cactus soil, orchid bark and perlite, dampening it and removing leaves on the lower node, dipping in a rooting hormone and putting in the mix. Sometimes when doing it this way I've used bottom heat, sometimes not. Sometimes I've used a cover of some type over the cutting to hold in moisture, sometimes not.
2) rooting in water with a little VF-11 plant food and Superthrive.
3) rooting in hydroton (expanded clay pellets)
4) rooting in the little expanded Jiffy pots
What I've learned recently from others with experience is rooting hormones aren't really necessary with hoyas. What I've also learned from experience recently is that not all hoyas are "created equal" when it comes to rooting. What works for one hoya (and one person for that matter) isn't necessarily going to for another. I have limited indoor space to work with and therefore am becoming quite particular about what I add to my little collection - here's where the Serial Cutting Killer part comes in- some of the ones I'm ATTEMPTING (I'm not yelling, I'm emphasing as it's not going well so far and I'm incredibly bummed....) to add now are more challenging to root, so I'm finding I need to seek advice regarding those specific hoyas and do a little experimenting of my own.
Do you know what types of hoyas you have? I find the more common varieties carnosa (although not always the variegated varieties), australis, polyneura for examples will root easily in water. As for cutting or pruning - I don't know there is a right or wrong way to it. Some people are really careful and used sterilized instruments. I often use whatever is close by or is in my hand at the moment - scissors, fingernail clippers, wire cutters, my fingernails, etc...on second thought there probably is a wrong way to do it, so don't follow my example there!
On the subject of why this thread has gotten so out of hand:
I'm never sure why sometimes we choose to infer emotion into written words or read between the lines, but I've seen it happen several times on several forums (www.epiforums.com seems to be the exception) and therefore feel the need to "break my silence". We all have a choice every moment of every day to either react or respond. We also have a choice on how we choose to view - positively or negatively and often we get back what we put forth. In reading through the thread several times, I'm not seeing where anyone was intending to be offensive or insulting and I looked at those links provided and there really is some good information out there! Neither do I think any one intended to avoid answering the propogation question directly in this thread as I for one thought the links provided were the answer. For anything else the question needs to be a little more specific and I guarantee some one will jump in and help!
I'm not tremendously active on any of the forums - just sporadic at best when time allows. I have no allegiances with anyone on any of the forums as I don't actually "know" anyone, but I always assume intentions are good and my own personal experience with these forums has been great as a result!
Take care,
Kelly
This message was edited Sep 26, 2008 9:21 AM
BB,
Carol is constantly contributing to this forum and is extremely helpful. She was simply stating that propagation is a topic that is frequently discussed on here, and there is lots of info on other threads or stickies. If you've been on other forums, then you know all you have to do is search - just type "propagation" in the search space. That's probably what Ceedub did when she provided you with all those links.
Bottom line, there are SO many ways to propogate, and we all have our techniques that work for us. This question is asked a lot here, and Carol was trying to help you by directing you in where you can find more info on it. It's not just a simple "root in water" or "root in soil" response.
I think YOU were quite rude, and completely hijacked this thread with your need to cause an argument over absolutely nothing.
Gabi
Kelly: Very well said!
BirdieBlue: I don't offer propagation advice because I am a novice with hoyas and would not want to steer someone the wrong way. I too believe that what works for one may not work for another when it comes to propagating any plant. I think folks in different climates are going to have different experiences with how something works. With me, it's all trial and error. I've tried the perlite in the zip lok bag method for hoyas as well as rooting cuttings in a glass of water, neither method worked for me. We have so much humidity here in my area that I just mix up a batch of my chunky potting mix that I use for everything except Gesneriads, a combination of potting soil, lots of orchid bark and lots of perlite, then I stick the cuttings into the medium so that the leaf nodes are buried. I don't put a dome or anything over them, just stick them in a bright shady spot on my deck and let them do their thing. Sometimes I use rooting hormone, sometimes not. I am a lazy gardener and don't ever sterilize my tools either and like Kelly, I use whatever is at hand. I dislike giving advice that may work for me but may very well fail for the next person and they might get upset that I steered them the wrong way. I have just learned to try a few different ways to see what works best in my house.
The hoyas I sent you in the September house plant swap (ds-70, carnosa Krimson Princess and lacunosa were all easy for me to root. I just took cuttings and used the method I spoke of above. The ones I sent you are already rooted and blooming so I'm assuming those are what you are wanting to propagate. I'm sorry if I offended you (in the d-mail you sent a few days ago) by linking you to the information in the stickies. I have learned so much from them and am so thankful someone told me about them being at the top of the page. There is great information regarding care and culture of these beautiful plants listed in the stickies. I personally love having the stickies with all the great information at hand, it sure saves me a lot of trouble searching.
I too have read through this thread again and did not find anyone being insensitive or insulting. The written word can so easily be taken out of context sometimes. "Personalities" come through differently to different people when you are just reading and not sitting face to face discussing something. I really don't think anyone here has intentionally meant to come across as sarcastic or inconsiderate.
You stated that you are sorry you even posted in yet ANOTHER forum. I sincerely hope you will re-read all the posts on any forum where you think folks are not being kind or compassionate in giving advice and help. Maybe by re-reading you will get a different perspective on things.
I know there can be little "cliques" in on line chat forums just as there are in schools or offices, etc. but thats just life, we all feel like outsiders sometimes. I think it's even more so with on line groups but I don't let stuff like that bother me. I just continue to ask questions and someone always comes along to point me in the right direction. I try to keep a positive attitude in life and not sweat the small stuff. Sometimes we all just need to take a deep breath, enjoy the beauty around us and try not to get bogged down by negativity. I know, I know ... easier said than done sometimes!
Have a glorious day everyone, and ... smile! ^_^
I agree with Mark---BirdieBlue's reaction is SO extreme and so inappropriate it's suspcious...who IS this person? (and no, I'm not shouting) :-)
SR
Thanks so very much Kelly,
I appreciate your time and all of your comments and suggestions. Your sense of humor and candor is refreshing. The links provided were indeed very good and much appreciated also.
My current Hoyas include: H.Lacunosa, Krimson Princess, D70, Carnosa and Carnose Rubra. I may have capitalized some names in error and hope no one is offended. I am just learning scientific names (education is welcome), also the 2 Carnosa's (I think) I have named correctly , as the labels have faded.
If I over reacted, I appologize publically. However,some of the instructions or reminders that were given preciously really were unnecessary and did seem to have underlying purpose......water under the bridge though........Thanks again!
......and now, back to our scheduled program.
I want to apologize to everyone.
I was trying to get a simple answer and did get defensive by some of the responses.
We never know what is going on in an other's life or day that precipitates their action or reaction.
I have no problem sharing that I have been weathering a particularly excruciating painful season in my life due to illness, and trying to distract myself by spending time here in DG. I want to be a welcome plant buddy here . I have much to learn and a bit to share, and am so very excited to be suddenly aware of this wonderful plant I have had for years. (feel like a sponge that just cannot saturate itself up fast enough)
I truly did not mean to offend anyone. Please forgive me where I have.
Thank-you again for all of the wonderful answers, links and sincere words that were shared here by some in response to my repeated questions..
Goodnight and goodwill to all.
Sheri
Hi Sheri,
Propagation is kind of a trial and error sort of thing. What might work well for me may spell disaster for you. Everyone grows in very different conditions of light, humidity, indoors, outdoors, etc. I have killed more than my share of cuttings over the years, but I have learned every time I have killed a cutting, so the loss wasn't in vane.
For me, I find that a 50/50 or 40/60 mix of peat and perilite, respectively, works well. Sometimes I enclose the cutting(s) in a zip top bag and sometimes not. I grow a number of plants under fluorescent lights and so that's where I root my cuttings. I don't grow any of my hoyas under lights - at least not yet.
For every person on this forum, there is probably a very slightly different technique that is used for propagation that suits their conditions. Read all you can and then try some of the different techniques to see what works for you. Gardening, in general, has a learning curve that never ends. No one ever "knows it all". (:o)
It's unfortunate that when we type in the forums we cannot see any facial expressions, body language, etc. that goes on in face-to-face exchanges. I could be saying the meanest thing to your face, but with a smile on my face, and you would know that I am not serious or it's meant as a joke. Here, that isn't possible and everyone has a different writing style as well, so if you or any of us read something and think it's a slam, read it again and don't be too offended because it is probably not meant to be a slam. The kind of day we had also affects how we interpret what we read.
Dave's is a great place for exchanging information with people all over the globe and I have never run into anyone who has deliberately written something that was meant to be a slam.
I would also recommend that you try different methods of propagating a particular cutting, especially if the cutting is expensive. Often when cuttings are purchased it is very easy to cut the cutting(s) into smaller pieces so different methods can be tried (too large of a cutting does not have as good of a chance of rooting as a smaller cutting, generally). This will help ensure that at least one cutting will root successfully and become the plant of your dreams. (:o)
Good luck,
Mike
tl³
Good advice, Mike...very good.
It occured to me that a really inexpensive plant from a box store would be a great place to start....trial and error!