Hoya carnosa: description of varieties, planting rules and care features

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Kira Stoletova

Hoya Gracilis (Graceful) was brought to Europe from the Philippines. The flower immediately fell in love with both professional florists and amateur flower growers. An unpretentious liana with unusual waxy flowers and a strong, pleasant aroma grows in the homes of admirers of green exotics around the world.

Hoya gracilis (Hoya gracilis)

Hoya lacunosa

Hoya lacunosa Blume, 1826 Hoya lacunosa (concave)
Habitat: warm forests of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. In the wild state it is now also found in India, China, Singapore, Borneo and Sumatra. From history: in old botanical literature the name Otostemma lacunosum Blute (1848) is also found.

Description: H. lacunosa is an epiphytic growing hoya, in the environment it has a symbiotic relationship with ants that live among its roots and leaves. Small, dark green, diamond-shaped leaves with curved edges, which is how this species gets its name (lacuna - hollow). The reverse side of the sheet is shiny. The length of the leaves reaches 6 cm, width 1.5-2.5 cm. The new growth has a red-brown color. The leafy vines grow in a dense cascade and, unlike many of the Hoya genus, do not climb on their own. The corolla of the flower is white and fleecy, the crown is white with a yellow center. The diameter of the flower is 0.5 cm. When the flowers appear, their petals do not bend immediately. Only after two days do they take on their unusual appearance. Flowers are collected in umbrellas of 15-20 pieces. They do not produce nectar and last for about 5 days. The main flowering time is May. Particularly impressive is the striking aroma of Lacunosa flowers (as well as those of its relatives: H. obscura and H. pusilla, with the same curled flower petals), reminiscent of the smell of perfume. If several umbrellas are opened at the same time, the smell fills the entire space of the room. Hoya researcher CMBurton identifies two varieties: H. lacunosa v. lacunosa - has dark green leaves, covered with silver spots, 5-12 cm long and 1.5-2 cm wide. The corolla and crown of the flower are white. H. lacunosa v. pallidiflora Hook f. (1861) – it has smaller leaves and white flowers. The homeland of this variety is Thailand and Malaysia. There is also a close relative, H. lacunosa aff. (aff. means “similar, similar” - this is what they write when they are not sure of the species.) It also has diamond-shaped leaves and blooms just as well.

Care tips Temperature: minimum winter temperature 10°C. In summer, in a shaded place it can withstand elevated temperatures, but subject to increased air humidity. Lighting: the plant must be kept in a bright place with shade from direct sunlight to avoid burns on the leaves. In the sun, the leaves acquire a beautiful bronze “tan”; with prolonged contact with the sun’s rays, unattractive yellow-brown spots can form on the leaves. Watering: since this hoya is an epiphyte, it needs a loose substrate and maintaining a constant level of humidity (but not dampness). Responds well to a warm shower and daily spraying with warm water. Features: Recommended for beginners, as it grows quickly and blooms quite easily. To make the composition beautiful, several cuttings of H. lacunosa can be planted in one pot.

Cultivars: Hoya lacunosa 'Tove' – creamy white spherical flowers with a yellow center (about 6 mm in diameter and more than 20 flowers in an umbel), miniature in appearance, the leaves take on a beet-like hue in the sun.

Hoya lacunosa 'Snow Caps' – has silvery leaves, 5 cm long and 2 cm wide. The flower corolla and crown are white (flower diameter 10 mm). Slightly slower growing than other varieties of H. lacunosa.

Types and varieties

Hoya Imperial or Majestic (Hoya Imperialis) stands out for the size of its flowers. They reach 8 cm in diameter. The buds form inflorescences of 6-10 pieces, no more. The oval leaves of the plant grow up to 20 cm.

Hoya Greenflower (Hoya Chlorantha) is distinguished by elongated leaves and velvety petals.

Hoya Bella is a creeping shrub whose shoots are covered with leaves measuring no more than 2.5 cm. A distinctive feature is the red crown of the flower.

Hoya Fleshy or Carnosa (Hoya Carnosa) always needs tying or support, because. it has thin stems and heavy leaves. This species has several varieties:

• Hoya Variegata;
• Hoya Tricolor (Tricolor);
• Hoya Exotica;
• Hoya Krimson Queen.

Hoya Globulosa or Globulosa is distinguished by large fleecy leaves. It is also characterized by climbing shoots and large spherical inflorescences.

Hoya Motoskei is a vine with creeping stems and dark green leaves reaching a length of 8 cm. The flowers are pale with a pink crown.

Hoya Multiflora is distinguished by its early formation of buds compared to other species. Thanks to their narrow petals, Multiflora flowers look like stars. Hoya lokka is practically no different from it in the shape of flowers and unpretentiousness.

Hoya Kerrii blooms with ball-shaped inflorescences. Each of them has up to 25 buds. The color of the petals depends on the level of light and the age of the plant. The larger they are, the richer and darker the color.

Hoya Lacunosa is characterized by diamond-shaped leaves with dark edges. Its shoots do not curl on their own, so the plant needs to form a crown. The inflorescences resemble an open white umbrella with yellow stars in the center. They give off an aroma similar to that of a lily.

Hoya Sunrise was obtained by crossing Lacunosa and Obscura. Outwardly, she is very similar to the first of her parents. Hoya Tsangi also has diamond-shaped leaves.

Hoya Cupped (Hoya Calycina) has an erect stem. Another feature is that it has the largest leaves among all types of wax ivy. They can exceed 20 cm in length.

Hoya Miniature (Hoya Compacta) has leaves curled along the central vein. Compared to the green mass, its inflorescences seem very small.

Hoya Obscura (Hoya Obscura) or Hoya Dark received its name for the dark veins on the leaves. The petals of its flowers are pink and curved back.

The leaves on the stems of Hoya Gracilis create the effect of a dense carpet. The inflorescences include 20-25 star-like flowers.

Hoya Retusa is also called Compressed. It received this name for its thin elongated leaves.

Hoya Curtisii or Snow is distinguished by a huge number of aerial roots.

Hoya Wayetii produces buds with wine-red petals. Another advantage that Hoya Vayeti has is its almost complete absence of aroma.

Hoya Lasiantha or Bushy, Six-flowered is distinguished by thin leaves and petals curved back.

You can learn more about the types of hoya from the video of the channel “Flowers in the House. Houseplants".

Home care

Despite the fact that Hoya is a local resident of warm countries, it feels no less comfortable in a temperate climate.

The flower does not require care and is quite hardy, which is why its popularity is associated.

Choosing a location and lighting

For an indoor exotic, it is important to immediately decide on a permanent place of residence; rearrangements have a negative impact on it. Therefore, if the plant develops safely, it is better not to move

You should not take hoya out onto the terrace or balcony in warm weather.

Hoya tolerates shade very well, but if you want to achieve flowering, then you cannot do without lighting. It is preferable for an indoor flower to have diffused sunlight. It is better to choose window sills on the west side

In summer it is important to protect from the sun, otherwise drying out of the foliage cannot be avoided.

In the autumn-winter period, natural light is not enough, because daylight hours should last 12-15 hours. In this case, additional lighting is required, possibly a fluorescent lamp.

Temperature

During the active growing season, the temperature ranges between +17-22°C in summer. It is able to tolerate even higher temperatures; it only needs abundant watering and high air humidity. But in winter, the temperature should be lowered to +12-15°C; at this time, the indoor flower does not sleep, but does not grow either. The temperature may drop to +10°C, but not less.

Humidity

As already mentioned, the plant is universal; there is no need to create special parameters in the room.
It grows well even in low humidity. Water procedures will also be useful: spraying, warm shower. It is important that water does not get on the flowers, or water drops must be wiped off immediately, otherwise dark stains will remain. It is recommended to ventilate the room daily

Hoya is an unpretentious plant: if you don’t think about it often, don’t move it from place to place, water it and replant it rarely, then it will delight you with long and abundant flowering. This is why wax ivy can often be found in office premises; sometimes this vine entwines the entire wall with its shoots.

Watering

The young plant is watered approximately once every 2-3 days. The soil in the flowerpot should be moist, but not wet. But an older individual is moisturized less often. Hoya tolerates drought more easily, because with the slightest lack of moisture, the root system quickly begins to rot. In the cold season, the amount of moisture must be reduced. Once every 2 weeks - this watering will be enough.

For procedures, use soft, settled water, without impurities and salts. Preferably warm or room temperature.

Feeding and fertilizers

It is necessary to fertilize the soil for exotic plants during the active period, starting in March. The flower reacts well to nutritious organic fertilizers; it is enough to apply them once every 30 days. Mineral preparations are applied approximately 2 times a month.

As a rule, fertilizers for flowering plants or nutrient complexes are used. During the cold period, it is better to refuse fertilizing.

The soil

Hoya also has no complaints about its growing environment. A flower can and will grow in any soil. But the most suitable substrate for a tropical guest should be loose, light and fertile. No less important are the following qualities: breathability and moisture resistance. The flower is suitable for soil for indoor palm trees or orchids.

If you want to prepare the soil yourself, the following soil mixture composition is suitable:

• turf soil - 1 part;
• deciduous soil - 1 part;
• humus – 1 part;
• coarse sand – 1/2 part.

To avoid stagnation of liquid and rotting processes, there must certainly be a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot. The following is used as drainage:

1. expanded clay;
2. broken brick;
3. pebbles;
4. fine crushed stone.

Trimming

For branching, pinch the indoor flower after 4 leaves. New shoots grow from the root. Too long, lifeless, dry shoots are removed. Pruning for Hoya compact stimulates the appearance of new healthy shoots and also gives a neat shape to the crown.

Watch a video about how to care for hoya at home:

The necessary conditions

By creating the right conditions for the plant, you can enjoy its flowering at any time of the year. Fragrant buds are formed in hoya only with proper care. In the absence of proper attention, the flower will live, but will lose its decorative leaves and stop flowering.

Hoya gracilis photo

Humidity

Hoya is a succulent vine that can survive without moisture for a long time. Therefore, an artificial increase in this indicator for a flower is not necessary. Even at 30% humidity, the plant feels great and even blooms without problems.

On hot days, spray with settled water. The flower responds well to such an additional “shower”, producing new peduncles. The main thing is that water does not get on the open flowers.

The plant benefits from bathing in the rain at least once a year, but the procedure cannot be carried out during flowering.

Temperature

In summer, the temperature should be between +22-26 °C. Lianas are all thermophilic. Even heat below +30 °C will not cause them much discomfort. With timely watering, high temperatures are preferable to low temperatures for hoya. In winter, cold temperatures down to 10 °C and below will be disastrous.

This flower does not need a rest period as urgently as other indoor plants. At constant temperatures around +22 °C, hoya will always grow and bloom, regardless of the time of year.

Of course, it doesn’t interfere with the flower’s rest; to do this, you just need to lower the temperature and reduce watering to a minimum, but fulfilling this condition during the heating season is quite difficult.

Lighting

The plant needs a lot of light. Especially varieties with variegated leaves, to which Gracilis also belongs. With a lack of light, the leaves become dull, their colors become pale, and flowering suddenly stops.

The liana looks good in hanging flowerpots directly on windows, preferably south or southeast. The plant should not be rotated - hoya does not like changes in position relative to the sun. The flower will also be comfortable on the wall near the window.

What Hoya gracilis looks like: description and photo

Hoya gracilis is a representative of the evergreen tropical vines of the Kutrovaceae family. It grows in the foothills among sparse trees, the branches of which are used as supports. The Hoya genus is very diverse. The following types are popular in indoor floriculture:

• Matilda;
• Compact;
• Bella;
• Imperial;
• Beautiful.

The plants received their name in honor of the Duke of Northumberland's gardener, Thomas Hoy.

Hoya gracilis was first described at the end of the 19th century in the Philippines, at the same time it was brought to Europe and has since been grown in greenhouses and ordinary apartments.

Known among flower growers by the names:

• "Tropical";
• "Wax";
• "Graceful."

The strong, dense lashes of Hoya gracilis are covered with oval spotted leaves 5cm long, with a pubescent underside. The waterfall of the original leaves makes the hoya decorative at any time of the year, but during the flowering period it is simply magnificent. Flowers in the shape of red stars with a yellow center are collected in umbrella inflorescences of 15-25 pieces. With proper care, flowering continues from May to November and looks like this:

general characteristics

A plant with a thick fleshy stem and wide pointed leaves. Cream specks are barely noticeable on the dark green dense leaf blades. Their back side is covered with light fluff. It grows in the form of a vine, shoots can reach 5 m in length.

With sufficient lighting, Hoya Gracilis acquires an interesting color: pinkish stripes appear on the leaves, and the specks become more contrasting. The plant looks very beautiful and bright. It blooms for a long time, provided favorable conditions are created all year round.

Flowers in the shape of small stars bloom on long stalks; they are collected in graceful “umbrellas” of 20-25 buds each. The number of such inflorescences depends on the age of the plant and conditions of detention.

If you organize proper care for your hoya, its graceful vines will be completely strewn with fragrant flowers, regardless of the season.

Is it possible to keep hoya at home and the qualities of wax ivy

Many cultivars are grown indoors. This plant has decorative qualities and is often used for landscaping offices and offices. There are a large number of legends and superstitions regarding the issue of growing Hoya at home, many of which, oddly enough, contradict each other.

For example, according to one belief, this flower “expels” men from their homes (husband, sons). According to other legends, culture is able to pacify resentment and envy. Still other sources, when asked whether it is possible to keep hoya or wax ivy at home, say that this plant is a source of happiness in the family, so the ideal place for growing it is the marital bedroom.

Which version to take into account is an individual decision of the gardener. But whatever the choice, it will not cancel the fact that exotic flowers can captivate everyone with their beautiful color, even the most demanding florist.

Popular varieties and their photos

Gray Host

This variety is characterized by an average growth rate.

The leaves of Gray Host have a spectacular color, as they are completely silver and have pubescence.

The plant is not demanding in terms of care and does not require careful watering, fertilizers or soil. This variety is perfect for beginners.

Stardust

This plant boasts beautiful rounded leaves. Their color is dark green, covered with solid splashes.

Compacta

The culture grows in the form of a bush. It has leathery and smooth leaves. They are oval-oblong in shape, pointed at the end. Their length is 6-15 cm. The flowers are bell-shaped, white in color. Their diameter is 1.2-1.3 cm. Read more about the Hoya Compacta variety here.

Crimson Queen

Hoya carnosa krimson queen is a species that can be identified by the presence of a white or cream-colored edge that runs along the edge of the leaf blade. The main color is dark green. The leaf shape is oval, the tip is pointed.

Marianna Undulata

This is a very interesting type of plant, which is distinguished by its compact size. It must be grown at home. The flower has a white color and a pleasant aroma. The leaf blade is glossy, dark green.

Exotic

The leaves are wavy, 7 cm long, and have a yellow and pink color in the center. The flower umbel is large and the flowers have a pleasant aroma. This species does not require care.

Variegated

This variety of Hoya fleshy is distinguished by pink flowers with a white edge. The leaves are long, oval-shaped, with a pointed end. Flowers are open for 8 days.

We invite you to learn about other types of beautiful evergreen plants that will decorate any home or office. Read about varieties such as Publicalis (Silver Pink, Splash and Red varieties), Curtisi, Australis, Linearis, Kerry, Bella, Obscura and Vayetie.

Basic rules for caring for tropical ivy

Hoya pubicalix is ​​an inhabitant of the tropics; it is in this climate that it grows well. And the closer the apartment conditions are to natural ones, the more comfortable the vine feels.

Temperature

Hoya pubicalix does not like heat; if the temperature rises for a long time to +25 degrees or higher, it gets sick. For germinating seed material and cuttings, the ideal indicator is +22 degrees, not lower.

Watering

It is recommended to water Hoya pubicalix regularly, taking into account the season. During the intense summer heat, it is necessary to irrigate the foliage of the plant with a spray bottle, which reduces the temperature and humidifies the dry air.

In the autumn-winter period, the frequency of watering is reduced; the flower is watered after the soil dries out.

Soft water is used, standing for two to three days. To soften it, you can use sphagnum moss, which is placed in a container of water.

Lighting

Hoya pubicalix is ​​light-loving, but the lighting should be diffused. It is better to place a container with a vine, including a hanging one, on the western or eastern side of the home.

In summer, hoya should be provided with shading, since if direct sunlight falls on it during the midday heat, burns and pigmentation may remain on the leaves.

In winter, a tropical flower may suffer from lack of lighting and get sick. If it is not possible to keep it in a well-lit area, then it is advisable to provide an additional light source - special lamps.

Suitable soil

You can purchase a ready-made soil mixture designed for indoor succulent plants and cacti. It is moderately light and acidified. But, experienced gardeners prefer to prepare the soil themselves, adding other components to the finished composition. For 500 g of soil take:

• 250–300 g crushed bark;
• 50–60 g perlite or vermiculite;
• 100 g chopped sphagnum moss;
• 100 g each of charcoal and coconut substrate.

A layer of drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot; pieces of foam plastic can be used for hoi; this material does not allow moisture to retain.

Trimming

Not all varieties of Hoi tolerate this procedure as well as pubicalix. Of course, the vine is pruned only if necessary, in order to obtain cuttings for subsequent propagation or if the shoots have grown too long. Dried and damaged parts of the flower must also be removed. For pruning, use a sharp knife with a sterile blade.

Fertilizer application

For full growth and timely, regular flowering, hoya should be fed with minerals. A sure sign of a lack of nitrogenous substances in the soil is slower growth and yellowing of the foliage.

From March to the end of August, fertilizers are applied once every 2 weeks.

It is important to strictly follow the dosage; if you overfeed, the vine may die

Choosing a pot

Hoya pubicalix does not require spacious containers; even an adult liana needs a pot with a volume of 1-1.2 liters. Plastic, shallow tanks are suitable for her; the roots of the flower grow moderately

But it is important that the pot has holes to drain excess moisture. Reservoir replacement is infrequently required

To prevent the rhizome from being torn out of the ground under the weight of long shoots, it is advisable to provide supports for an overgrown vine.

Hoya propagation by apical and stem cuttings

There are three ways to propagate hoya flowers at home:

• By apical or stem cuttings.
• Seeds.
• Sheets.

Propagating a hoya plant by cuttings is considered the least difficult and most reliable way to grow a new specimen. It is necessary to take into account two main characteristics of the cutting:

• Age.
• Size.

Both apical and stem cuttings chosen for propagation should not be too young - their tissues tend to rot when they try to root. Therefore, it is better to give preference to cuttings that are mature, but have not yet had time to lignify.

The size of the rooting material should not be long. It is better to take cuttings that have two nodes covering two pairs of leaves. If you plan to propagate plant species with large foliage, then you can make an exception and take cuttings, keeping one node at a time.

Growing

Seeds

After the seeds have ripened, they are slightly dried and sown in a substrate to which pieces of burlap or felt and sfangum moss are added. Seeds should be sown no later than a year after they are collected, otherwise they will lose their viability. If the seeds are fresh, they can be planted at any time of the year.

When the seeds germinate (about a week), follow these steps:

• do not allow the substrate to dry out;
• do not over-moisten the soil;
• provide good lighting;
• treat with a fungicide (Bordeaux mixture) for prevention, but under no circumstances use preparations containing copper.

After about three months, healthy seedlings are transplanted into separate pots along with moss so as not to damage the roots.

Leaf

Before the leaf is rooted, it must be treated with a growth stimulator. Adenine sulfate or kinetin is used for this purpose. When propagating hoya with leaves, the pot chosen is cramped. You also need to feed it periodically.

This method is labor-intensive and may not always be successful.

Cuttings

Growing by cuttings is considered the most common method of propagating Hoya graceful.
If all favorable conditions are created (optimal humidity, suitable temperature), the root system will form very quickly. The stalk should have two nodes. Cuttings are rooted in two ways.

When rooting in water, the cuttings are treated with root hormone, the container is placed in a warm place and covered with film, creating greenhouse conditions. After two weeks, the first roots appear and the cutting can be transplanted into a small pot.

The cutting is planted in a solid substrate (perlite, sphagnum moss, peat tablet, vermiculite) after its edge is treated with powder, which accelerates root growth. It is necessary to maintain optimal humidity, allowing excess water to drain out, and spraying frequently.

Temperature

Taking into account that Hoya gracilis naturally grows in mountain forests, it is necessary to create similar conditions for it indoors: it should be cool (up to 22 degrees) and humid. The plant does not tolerate temperatures above 30 degrees.

Watering the plant

You need to be very careful with watering and not over-moisten the soil. The next watering should be only after the top layer of soil has dried. Hoya gracilis loves spraying, which helps increase air humidity. Abundant spraying can sometimes replace watering.

Lighting. Hoya graceful loves bright, diffused light. In the morning or afternoon, the sun's rays will not harm it, therefore, the eastern or western side is suitable for it. Thanks to the sun's rays, the hoya leaves will acquire a pinkish tint and a spotted color.

Trimming. To form a beautiful crown, the plant can be pinched after the fourth leaf appears. Long shoots should be pruned - this will stimulate flowering. Threads are used as support for the stems, which are fixed to a window or wall. Sometimes a wire ring is used, but in order to prevent the plant from turning over, the pot must be heavy.

Feeding. It is necessary to feed Hoya with fertilizers twice a month throughout the entire growing season, starting in March. In winter, the plant is not fed.

Pot. You need to choose a small pot for Hoya gracilis. It is necessary to transplant the plant into a larger pot only when its roots become cramped in a small pot.

Features of cultivation

Seeds

Minuses:

• Requires special conditions for seed germination.
• It is not possible to preserve seed material for several years (seeds retain their ability to develop only for one year).
• There is a high probability of death of a flower at each stage of its development.

Pros:

• Opportunity to purchase seeds of a wide variety of types.
• It is possible to transport seeds by mail.

Ripe and well-dried hoya seeds in the year of their collection are sown in a loose substrate consisting of an earthen mixture and chopped sphagnum moss.

Leaf

Minuses:

• Very often the growing point from which the flower should grow does not appear.
• For a long time, only the roots grow. The plant can begin to grow even after six months.
• There is no way to transport growing material.

Pros: one leaf will be enough to grow a new plant.

Cuttings

Cons: You will need a large number of cuttings to get a new, healthy Hoya.

Pros:

• The most optimal way to propagate wax ivy.
• No special conditions are needed for rooting cuttings.
• The cutting begins to grow faster than other planting materials.

Diseases and pests

All types of hoya are resistant to diseases and pests, but if the surrounding air is too dry, the plant can be affected by scale insects or spider mites. In this case, the flower must be treated with an insecticide, for example, actellik.

Problems that a flower may have

1. Falling leaves. The soil is waterlogged, the flower is standing on a cold window, or in the heat it was watered with very cold water.
2. Spots on leaves. Appear from lack of lighting or sunburn.
3. Hoya does not bloom. This occurs when there is insufficient lighting or a very warm winter (a warm shower can be used for stimulation).
4. Drying, curled and very light leaves. They may appear from bright sun (it is better to shade the plant).
5. Fall of flower buds or flowers. Occurs when the air is too hot and dry.
6. Growing slowly, the leaves have turned pale green. The plant does not receive enough nutrients or requires replanting.

Common mistakes in care

If hoya has lost its decorative appearance, this is not always a symptom of disease or pests. Often this is a reaction to unsuitable conditions.

To bring a flower back to life, it is enough to properly care for it. Frequent problems faced by wax ivy owners and their causes are shown in the table.

Opinion of an expert from the channel “Flowers in the House. Indoor Plants” you can learn from the video about why certain problems arise.

Description

Hoya macrophylla (Hoya macrophylla) or Hoya large-leaved - in 1826, Dr. Karl Blume, while traveling in Indonesia and on the island of Java, discovered a plant corresponding to the genus Hoya. The plant found was named Hoya macrophylla Blume or large-leaved Hoya.

Hoya macrophylla is a vine. It grows by entwining its shoots around any vertical pillar. At home, a metal rod can serve as such a vertical. The leaves of Hoya macrophylla are large, smooth, and have visible veins. The leaf length can reach 15-24 centimeters and the width 4-11 centimeters.

The leaf shape is oval, the tips of the leaves are pointed. In addition, it is worth noting that Hoya is strikingly beautiful in appearance. Large dark green, fleshy leaves eventually acquire yellow strokes along the edges or in the middle, which decorates Hoya with a marvelous palette that is pleasing to the eye.

Macrophylla blooms with a spherical umbrella formed by inflorescences. The inflorescences are held on purple pedicels from 2 to 8 centimeters long. The corolla of the inflorescence is a five-pointed star of soft pink color, and the petals are soft in shape and beige.

Exquisite flowering galesia of rare beauty

When galesia is called amazingly beautiful, amazingly spectacular and incomparable - all these loud epithets are not at all an exaggeration. The plant received its botanical name galesia (we often use the name chalesia) in honor of the biologist Stefan Hale. But much more popular are more poetic epithets - snow drop tree, our lily of the valley tree and the English Silverbell Tree - “tree of silver bells”. Such names really convey the character of this amazingly exotic thing much better.

Galesia (Chalesia) - Halesia, or lily of the valley tree, is a beautiful flowering exotic native to North America. This plant belongs to the Styraxaceae and develops in the form of fairly large deciduous trees or shrubs. True, it is impossible to enjoy the beauty of the flowering of a 20-30-meter tree in countries with harsh winters: galesia never reaches its maximum height, most often being limited to 3-5 m. But even when frosted, it retains its natural pyramidal, wide and neat crown.

In our gardens, Galesia (Chalesia) often develops in the form of a large shrub. This is a fast growing breed, developing slowly only in the first years. The foliage of Galesia is very beautiful, with an elliptical narrowed shape with a sharp tip, the length of the leaf blades is up to 15 cm. The dazzling green color of the leaves when blooming creates a surprisingly beautiful background for graceful flowering (greens bloom, as a rule, during flowering). Then bright light green gives way to dark green.

Galesia flowers are large, drooping, bell-shaped. The corolla consists of 4 petals. The plant received its nickname “lily of the valley tree” because the structure of the flower and pedicels really resemble lilies of the valley

But galesia attracts attention even before the flowers bloom: pinkish buds, not yet freed from gray bud scales, shine on the branches. The appearance of blooming galesia seems snow-white, although the petals themselves can be either snow-white or whitish-pink.

The flowering of Galesia cannot be called anything other than noble. It is unusual, but not in terms of flashy outlandishness, but because of its exquisite sophistication and extraordinary elegance. Galesia blooms in May-June, and even though the period itself lasts only 2 weeks, it is impossible to forget the sight of a blooming lily of the valley tree. And because the amazing spectacle unfolds against the backdrop of no longer an empty garden, but in the soft colors of spring full bloom, the beauty of the lily of the valley tree seems even more dazzling, and the shape of the inflorescences - amazingly touching, jewelry-like.

You should prepare for the fact that galesia blooms quite late, from 6-8 years of age. And abundant flowering is not an annual phenomenon. The stronger the frost and the more unstable the winter, the higher the likelihood of damage to flower buds. Therefore, in seasons with average and stable winters, galesia will bloom amazingly beautifully, and in extremely harsh winters it may not produce a single flower at all or bloom sparingly.

Halesia, or mountain Galesia (halesia tetraptera). Phillip Merritt

Characteristics of the variety

Breeding history

In the greenhouse of the Belgian botanist Begine, Hoya Carnosa and Hoya Serpens bloomed nearby.

Outside their natural habitat, pollination is difficult. The Belgian developed an unusual pod on one of the flowers, which gave seeds to 2 new plants. One of the varieties was named after the Queen of Belgium, Mathilde.

The full name of the variety is hoya cv. Mathilde splash. Here cv. = cultivar indicates its hybrid origin. Silvery specks on the leaves, similar to drops of water, led to the addition of splash.

External parameters

The homeland of the Hoyaceae family is Southeast Asia and Australia. During the selection process, this ornamental plant became more compact.

In apartments where there is a shortage of space, Hoya struggles for life on the verticals. It can be cultivated on supports as a climbing plant or as a hanging plant. Hoya Mathilde splash has:

• stems up to 1.5 mm thick;
• oval leaves 3 cm long and 2 cm wide;
• flower umbrellas consisting of 15-20 flowers. The corolla of the flower is white or pale pink, 2 cm in diameter. The crown is white with a red center.

Types of grevillea with photos

Large Grevillea (Grevillea robusta)

In natural conditions, this tree can reach a height of 14 meters. Short-petiolate, odd-pinnate leaves with 25–35 broadly lanceolate, indented segments, ranging in length from 15 to 20 centimeters. The front side is painted in a rich green color, it is smooth and has distinct venation of the lobes. The reverse side has slight pubescence. Horizontally arranged, axillary inflorescences consist of orange flowers. They reach 12 centimeters in length and are very similar in appearance to the longitudinal halves of the cylinders. This unusual shape of inflorescences is created by pistils directed in one direction, or rather, upwards.

Grevillea banksii

Presented in the form of a compact tree (height up to 5 meters) or shrub. The odd-pinnate leaves reach from 10 to 20 centimeters in length and consist of 4–11 entire, narrow-lanceolate lobes. The smooth front side of the leaves is colored greenish-gray, and the pubescent underside is silvery. Red-scarlet flowers are collected in axillary and apical inflorescences shaped like a cylinder. They reach a length of 5 to 10 centimeters. A distinctive feature of long pistils is their tips, which are curved with a rather large hook. Thanks to them, the inflorescence has the appearance of a curly brush.

Grevillea rosmarinifolia

Presented in the form of a tall (1.5–1.8 meters) shrub. The sessile green leaves are narrowly lanceolate, almost needle-shaped. The branches are literally covered with them. The bicolor flowers are painted white and red and are collected in apical few-flowered inflorescences shaped like a brush.

Grevillea candelabroides

This very large and tall shrub can reach 3 meters in height and width. The pinnate leaves have narrow, almost thread-like lobes. White flowers are collected in vertically arranged, dense, apical inflorescences, cylindrical in shape and reaching approximately 25 centimeters in length.

Grevillea | Life in Adler

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Hoya propagation by seeds and leaves at home

Hoya propagation by seeds at home is carried out using well-dried seed material in the year of its collection. The substrate can be prepared according to one of the above “recipes”. Shoots appear after 7 days.

To prevent the occurrence of fungal diseases, it is recommended to treat them with some preparation containing copper in accordance with the instructions on the package. After 90 days, the seedlings will already have several pairs of leaves - from this moment they can be transplanted into separate flowerpots.

Hoya propagation from leaves is considered the most difficult and lengthy process. It is recommended to take leaves of those plants that live in the natural environment. Therefore, breeders use this method. But amateur florists also have the opportunity to experiment with house plants. The leaf is planted in a loose substrate, maintaining an angle of 45 ̊. After 2-3 weeks, roots will appear. The problem with this propagation method is that a leaf that has taken root may not sprout for several years. To speed up this process, drop one drop of “Heteroauxin” onto the base of the leaf using a pipette.

Maintenance and care, arrangement of the aquarium

The optimal size of an aquarium for one pair of fish starts from 70 liters. The design must include a sufficient number of shelters (caves, snags, etc.) and areas with dense vegetation. Chromis red often digs into the ground, so use a sandy, fine gravel substrate; for the same reason, live plants are planted in pots to avoid tearing them out or damaging the roots. Water conditions have slightly acidic pH values ​​with low to medium hardness (dGH index). To maintain a high concentration of dissolved oxygen, provide an effective water aeration system and regularly clean the soil of organic waste, which, during the decomposition process, actively absorbs it through chemical reactions.

Purchase and adaptation

Hoya is most often sold in the form of rooted first-year cuttings. Their price ranges from 200 to 500 rubles. An adult plant, aged 3 or more years, will cost 2,500-3,000 rubles. The liana grows slowly, so even a three-year-old bush will look modest.

Hoya gracilis

It is necessary to adapt the flower after purchase. Even if bred by a local grower, it may be infected with a bacterial or viral infection, and may also contain insect eggs. Imported plants require long-term quarantine and mandatory transplantation into more suitable, pre-disinfected soil.

Having brought a flower into the house, you need to quarantine it and just observe it for 2-3 weeks.

If there are no signs of disease, then it is transplanted and placed in a permanent place. If it becomes clear that it is infected, it must first be cured and only then placed next to other plants.

Rules for planting and transplanting

Hoya does not like frequent transplants. It is better to keep an adult plant in one pot for 3-4 years, until the roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes. Experienced flower growers are in no hurry even in such cases, arguing that in a cramped container the vine blooms more abundantly and lasts longer.

Be sure to replant the plant after purchase. Shipping containers with peat mixture are not the best option for flower growth. You need to buy soil for succulents and prepare a new substrate from it. Drainage from shards and expanded clay is placed in the selected container (it should not be much larger than the original one). Vermiculite with coarse sand and soil mixed with perlite are poured on top.

It is useful to add leafy soil for better nutritional value of the mixture. In such a substrate, Hoya will be able to do without additional feeding for a long time. The plant itself is removed from the pot, the remaining peat is shaken off (you can even wash off the roots under the tap) and transplanted into a new substrate.

Attention! The roots are washed off only during the first transplant after purchase. In the future, the plant is simply transferred to a new pot without disturbing the earthen ball.

Reproduction methods

Seeds

The most labor-intensive method of propagation, which requires the creation of almost ideal greenhouse conditions for active seed germination.

Technology:

• ripened seeds are dried and treated with growth stimulants;
• sow to a depth of about 1 cm in a substrate of soil and moss;
• the crops are covered with film or glass to create a greenhouse.

Plants grown from seeds bloom after 2-3 years from rooting.

Cuttings

Propagation by cuttings has a high percentage of rooting and is the easiest way to get a new plant.

Hoya curtisi

For cuttings, use old shoots up to 8 cm long, cut last season (in spring or canopy). They are cut at a distance of 2-3 cm below the location of the internode. They are rooted in a substrate for succulents or in sand, or placed in water, having previously treated the cut with a root former.

The shoots are covered with glass or polyethylene on top, creating greenhouse conditions. The optimal temperature is 20C-22C. After the roots have formed, they are transplanted into a permanent pot.

By layering

Hoya is able to quickly take down aerial roots.

Hoya curtisi photo

Reproduction technology:

• a cut is made on the stem;
• the layering is fixed with a small amount of soil or moss;
• As roots form, the shoot is cut off from the mother plant and planted in a separate container.

This method makes it possible to begin flowering a year after rooting, sometimes earlier.

Reproduction

Hoya can be propagated from March to November. There are 3 ways to do this:

1. seeds;
2. leaves;
3. cuttings.

• For propagation by seeds, slightly dried seeds are required, which are sown in damp moss.
  3 months after germination, the strengthened seedlings are planted in separate pots. The method is simple, but there are some nuances. Seeds for planting must be no older than a year after collection, otherwise they will lose their viability. And, since hoya, when kept indoors, does not produce fruit pods and, accordingly, seeds, one can only rely on the quality of the purchased seed.
• Before rooting, the leaf is treated with a growth stimulator and planted in a small pot. It is necessary to provide constant lighting, regular watering and fertilizing. Leaf propagation often ends in failure.
• The most common method of propagating hoya is by cuttings. Rooting in water or directly in soil is possible. For rooting in water, a greenhouse is built above the cuttings from a cut plastic bottle or a thick bag. After a couple of weeks, roots appear and the plant can be planted in a pot. Ready-made soil for cacti is quite suitable for hoya.

Diseases and pests

All types of hoya are resistant to diseases and pests, but if the surrounding air is too dry, the plant can be affected by scale insects or spider mites. In this case, the flower must be treated with an insecticide, for example, actellik.

Important. The plant can also be affected by root nematode, so the soil for replanting must be steamed.

Problems that a flower may have

1. Falling leaves. The soil is waterlogged, the flower is standing on a cold window, or in the heat it was watered with very cold water.
2. Spots on leaves. Appear from lack of lighting or sunburn.
3. Hoya does not bloom. This occurs when there is insufficient lighting or a very warm winter (a warm shower can be used for stimulation).
4. Drying, curled and very light leaves. They may appear from bright sun (it is better to shade the plant).
5. Fall of flower buds or flowers. Occurs when the air is too hot and dry.
6. Growing slowly, the leaves have turned pale green. The plant does not receive enough nutrients or requires replanting.

Features of the view

This plant is native to East Asia and Australia. It can also be found in lowland tropical and subtropical rain forests.

Hoya fleshy is partly a parasite, as it penetrates the tree with its roots, to which it clings.

You can grow fleshy Hoya in open ground and at home. It features attractive, glossy foliage and waxy, flesh-colored flowers that have an incredibly sweet scent. The shape of the flower resembles a five-pointed star. The following features will help you distinguish fleshy Hoya from other plant species:

1. Height and type of crop. Hoya fleshy is an evergreen epiphytic plant that grows in the form of a shrub. Its height reaches 6 m.
2. Stem. It is weakly succulent, light gray, with a smooth surface without leaves.
3. Leaves. Their length is 3.5-13 cm. They are wide, oval-ovoid in shape. The leaf blade is satiny, fleshy, with a sharp end.
4. Flowers. This plant's flowers resemble a star. Each bud consists of two stars, one placed on top of the other. The flowers are very fragrant and produce droplets of nectar that hang from each petal.

Diseases

Powdery mildew remains the most common disease. It manifests itself in the form of a white coating that affects the leaves and stem. If the form of the disease is not advanced, you can use regular soap. In addition, when growing Hoya fleshy, the following problems may arise:

• Wrinkling of leaves and rotting of roots are the result of overwatering.
• Lack of flowering means a very warm winter or lack of light.
• Leaf spotting - excessive fertilization, use of cold water for irrigation.

You will find a detailed description and tips for caring for such types of Hoya as Lobby, Multiflora, Macrophylla, Retusa, Gracilis, Matilda, Lacunosa, Cumingiana and Obovata in separate articles on our website.

Care checklist

Save this checklist so that you can quickly remember how to care for Hoya at home if necessary.

Tell us in the comments what type of wax ivy grows in your home. If you have questions about caring for Hoya, ask them, the site’s expert will be happy to answer.

Bookmark the article or repost it on social networks to quickly return to the text if you want to remember the features of caring for a flower.

Possible difficulties

Hoya has a strong immune system, so it is practically not affected by plant diseases. Only in advanced cases does a fungus settle on it.

On hot days with dry air, plants can be attacked by pests (red spider mites, aphids, scale insects, nematodes, mealybugs). It is necessary to treat the stems and soil with an insecticide. It is very difficult to escape from nematodes. Most often, cuttings are taken from healthy parts of plants, and the rest of the growth is destroyed. The soil and pot are sterilized before planting.

A number of problems can be eliminated by changing the care of your hoya. Spots on the leaves appear when there is a lack, and sometimes too much light. Too slow growth, thin and depleted leaves indicate a lack of fertilizer. If the leaves turn yellow, it means the room is too hot.

Hoya usually blooms regularly and profusely without additional effort, but if this does not happen, the care of the plant should be corrected. He needs to choose a fairly tight pot. Wintering must be cool. A warm shower and immersing the pot in warm water for 1.5-2 hours helps stimulate budding. Once the buds have appeared, the plant cannot be moved.

Blooming hoya, wax ivy:

Wax ivy needs a lot of bright light to bloom. In winter, when wintering is cool, the temperature regime must be strictly observed. Otherwise, you won’t see flowering this season. The liana blooms mainly in summer and autumn, but can also please you in spring.

If all the rules for wintering care and lighting are followed, but the hoya is in no hurry to bloom, you can resort to stimulating flowering. To do this, the pot with the plant is immersed in warm water for 2 hours, after which the entire plant is sprayed with warm water at 30-40 °C.

As soon as buds appear on the vine, the plant is strictly forbidden to move, as the hoya can drop them.

After flowering, the flower stalks are not cut off - the next year new inflorescences appear on them.

Care

This type of hoya is quite unpretentious. Even novice gardeners can grow a vine and make it bloom. It is enough to follow a number of rules when caring for the plant.

Temperature

The optimal temperature for the development of hoya is 20-23 degrees.

The vine will survive a slight drop in air temperature, but an increase to 30 degrees can be disastrous for it.

Watering

Hoya is an ideal pet for forgetful gardeners. It easily tolerates short-term droughts, but excessive watering can cause the development of root rot. The liana responds well to heavy spraying, and sometimes watering can be replaced with cool rain.

Lighting

When the leaves of Hoya gracilis are exposed to sunlight, the spotted leaf pattern becomes brighter. The best choice of location for the plant is an east or west window.

Creeper formation

After four full leaves appear, the young plant can be pinched to form a compact bush. Trimming hoya shoots will stimulate more luxuriant and longer flowering. Supporting threads or wire structures are needed to support the vines.

Top dressing

During the flowering period, Hoya gracilis needs to be fertilized with complex fertilizers at least 2 times a month. In winter their use is not advisable.

Types of plants with beautiful leaves

Hoya flower - what the varieties Carnosa, Kerry, Bella, fleshy, multiflora look like

Perhaps all types of hoya have beautiful leaves. Houseplants may have tri-colored, glossy, curled foliage. Several plants are distinguished by their unusualness and beauty:

• Kerry. Has unusual heart-shaped leaves;
• Hoya variegata. Leaves with cream edging;
• fleshy - the most common hoya among gardeners. The leaves are glossy, often speckled. Large and really meaty.

Hoya Lacunosa

All hoyas are beautiful in their own way. They braid the frame well. It should be remembered that only young shoots of the plant can be directed. Then they harden and no longer respond to the direction of growth. If the growth of such a plant is left to chance, then the shoots will crawl into any crack found next to the flower pot.

Note! For some reason, it has long been believed that hoya should not be kept in the house. Supposedly she drives men away

There is also a sign that hoya in a rich man’s house means ruin, but these are just groundless signs that do not come true.

Landing

Hoya is usually grown in a hanging basket. It is not for nothing that she has earned her place as a favorite among indoor plants. This flower has attractive fleshy and shiny foliage. It blooms even with minimal care in the right conditions. Depending on the variety, the flowers can be tiny or up to several centimeters in diameter.

The plant should be planted in well-drained soil. You can find it in any specialty store or make it yourself. The ideal proportion is a mixture of peat, deciduous soil and perlite in equal parts. Before use, it is recommended to disinfect the soil; to do this, place it in an oven preheated to 80 degrees and keep it there for about an hour. Temperatures higher than this will not bring any benefit; this is a misconception among novice gardeners. If you add even a degree, the soil will lose all its beneficial properties.

The planting process is very simple.

• Prepare the soil and container. The pot can be made of any material, as long as it has drainage holes in the bottom. It must be remembered that clay containers contaminate the soil over time, although such dishes are more porous and the soil dries out better in them.
• The cutting or young plant is placed inside a pot in which drainage and the first layer of soil mixture have already been laid. It must be positioned so that the root collar is at ground level and a centimeter below the edges of the pot.
• Having positioned the plant in the center, fill it with the rest of the soil and lightly press down the soil, removing air pockets.
• The plant will need to be watered well and allowed to drain for an hour.

Hoya must be fertilized regularly. To do this, use balanced mixtures for indoor plants. Additional addition of vitamins and microelements can encourage hoya to bloom.

It is very important to give the plant the required amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; fertilizing should not be applied immediately after planting. This is very important, since the flower experiences stress after transplantation, its root system is poorly developed at this stage, and if you start giving fertilizers, the growth of the stem and green mass will increase, and the roots will remain at the same level

The best time to plant is late autumn or winter, when the flower is dormant. During this period, it tolerates stress better and with the onset of a new growing season, it begins to quickly get used to the container.

Varieties

Carnosa

Description - this species has dark green leaves, on which there are inclusions of white to silver shades. There are variegated varieties that may have multi-colored stripes in the center and along the edges of the leaf pulp. The inflorescence of the plant is collected in a cluster, which can have up to twenty flowers of white shades with red in the middle.

Features - Hoya flowers can secrete nectar so much that it can drip. This species also has a feature associated with daylight hours. By the evening, the aroma from flowers may be more intense than during the day or in the morning. The plant is also capable of forming new inflorescences directly on the old one.

You can watch a review of Hoya Carnose in this video:

Kerry

Description - this type of plant will most need additional support, since the leaves are quite large in diameter and can be half the size of an adult’s palm. This plant is also called “green heart” because the leaves are heart-shaped. There are also variegated varieties. The inflorescences are white and red.

Features - usually for Valentine's Day, hoya is sold in pots of one large leaf. If you take care of the leaf, water it or make a small greenhouse, then soon it will give roots and new shoots, and after a while it will grow into a large and beautiful vine.

You can watch a review of Hoya Kerry in this video:

Compacta

Description - this species is a variety of the Hoya carnosa species. The dark green leaves have a curled appearance and can therefore be associated with curled hair. There are varieties that have two-color leaves. Leaves grow on liana branches. The inflorescences are small and compact, as is clear from the name of the plant. They have a pale pink tint.

Features - the main feature is the type of foliage of this species. It is extremely rare to find such curled leaves as those of this plant.

You can watch a review of the Hoya Compact in this video:

Lacunosa

Description - this species is otherwise called “curved” because the leaves are slightly curved at the edges, it has dark green foliage with white specks. The inflorescences in the cluster are white, round, “hairy” with a small star in the middle, yellow to cream in color. This vine grows very quickly in length.

Features - the advantage of Lacunosa is the delicate aroma from the flowers, which can fill the entire space of the home.

Linearis

Description - the type of plant has intricately shaped leaves that look more like sharp needles. The foliage is gray-green in color with a small edge. The inflorescences are cluster-shaped, cream and white in color, with small fibers.

Features - emits an aroma that can be compared to the smell of vanilla or lily.

Multiflora

Description - Hoya multiflora, or as it is also called multi-flowered, grows in the form of a bush, unlike many other species that have an ampelous shape. The leaves are large and resemble the foliage of a coffee tree. Inflorescences in the form of a pointed large yellow star and a small, white one located in the center.

Features - the plant is very suitable for beginner gardeners, as it is quite unpretentious in care and can bloom all year round.

Obowata

Description - the plant has large, round leaves of a rich green color. The surface of the leaves is covered with silvery inclusions. The inflorescences are cluster-shaped with up to thirty small flowers of a soft pink hue for the large “star” and red-crimson for the small one.

Features - the aroma from flowering resembles the smell of a rose. The plant is easy to care for and blooms profusely. It can also be easily rooted.

Bella

Description - the leaves have an elongated shape similar to a rounded arrowhead of light green color. The inflorescences are small, with seven to nine flowers in a cluster. The color of the large “star” is white, and the small one is burgundy or crimson.

Features: long flowering time. Each “umbrella” of inflorescence can please the eye for more than a week.