Hoya carnosa - home care
Content:
Vines beautifully decorate the walls of the apartment. Hoya carnosa is distinguished by fleshy leaves that have a glossy sheen. This plant is popularly called wax ivy.
What does it look like
Hoya Carnosa belongs to the Kutrov family. Its homeland is East Asia and Australia, and representatives of the Choi genus can also be found in tropical and subtropical forests.
Hoya is a parasite, as its roots penetrate the tree and feed off of it. In nature, liana can reach a length of 6 meters. The length of the leaves is from 3 to 14 cm, elongated oval shape with a pointed end.
Hoya is distinguished by beautiful sweet-smelling flowers, which are collected in umbrellas
The leaves are glossy dark green, reminiscent of satin. Hoya carnosa has long ceased to be exotic, as it is one of the most common varieties. You can buy it at a grocery store or horticultural center. Differs in unpretentiousness.
Care features
At home, hoya carnosa is actively growing and blooming. But for this she needs to create optimal conditions of detention.
Temperature
In summer, the maximum permissible temperature is 24 ° C. In winter, it must be lowered to 16 ° C. Do not lower it below 10 ° C, as this will stress the plant.
Lighting
The plant loves bright lighting, it will feel especially comfortable on the south window. Hoya is not afraid of direct sunlight and easily tolerates them.
The plant can also be located on the north window, but additional lighting is needed for flowering. Only when the right conditions are created can bloom be expected.
Watering
Water the plant after the topsoil dries out by 2-3 cm. For this, it is better to use filtered or settled water.
The growth of the plant and the saturation of the color of the leaves depend on watering.
In summer, 2 waterings per week are enough, in winter 1 watering per week. There must be a drainage system in the pot, since moisture will stagnate without it. This will lead to root rot.
Spraying
Hoya grows in tropical and subtropical forests. Therefore, it needs regular spraying. To do this, it is sprayed twice a day in summer, and once a day in winter. In the warm season, you can give the plant a warm shower once every two weeks. To do this, it is transferred to a bath and poured abundantly with water.
Humidity
At home, hoya carnosa needs a high level of humidity. To do this, it is sprayed and you can put containers with water next to the pot.
In winter, it is advisable to remove hoya from heating devices, as they contribute to overdrying the air.
Priming
It is advisable to use a ready-made soil mixture for cacti and succulents. It retains moisture well, is breathable and has nutrients.
You can prepare the mixture yourself. This requires vermiculite and peat in equal parts. The components are mixed and a small amount of crushed expanded clay is added.
Top dressing
It is easy to take care of the carnose hoe, and even a novice florist can cope with it. Top dressing is applied only during the flowering period and for this it is better to use special products for flowering plants.
Outdoor cultivation
In warm weather, hoya can be planted in open ground. During this period, she must be carefully looked after. The plant is watered three times a week in the evening, and fertilizing is applied twice a month.
When pests appear, it is necessary to spray the hoya with warm water, if this does not help, then it is worth using chemical preparations.
A well-lit area, where there are no drafts, is chosen as a landing site. Before wintering, the plant is dug up and transplanted into a pot.
When and how it blooms
With proper care, hoya carnosa begins to bloom profusely. It is thanks to this that it has become widespread in the world.
Flower features:
- View - bell-shaped.
- The shape is tubular.
- The flowering period is from the beginning of June to the end of July, the next period lasts a month in September.
Not all owners immediately notice changes in the plant. Hoya carnosa picks up buds and immediately goes into a sensitive state.
Pruning
Hoya does not tolerate pruning very well and, unlike other vines, she does not need such a procedure. Only dry, old shoots, damaged or diseased leaves should be removed.
Some growers prefer to pinch the tops of young shoots slightly to stimulate the growth of additional vines.
Reproduction methods
There are several breeding options for hoya carnose. Most popular with cuttings, but can be eaten with leaves or seeds. Each gardener chooses a convenient option himself.
Cuttings can be germinated in water or directly in soil
Breeding methods:
- Through seeds - it is almost impossible at home, since the material can only be obtained in a nursery, germination is best carried out in mini-greenhouses at a temperature of 27 ° C.
- Through the leaves is also a laborious method. A cut leaf with a petiole should be planted in succulent soil at an angle of 45 °. You can use special stimulants "Kornevin" and others.
- Through the upper shoots - the most convenient option. It is enough for him to cut off the shoot with aerial roots. It needs to be planted in succulent soil and watered abundantly.
To speed up the formation of the root system, the pot is covered with a glass jar or plastic bag.
Transfer
The transplant is done no more than once every three years and is carried out in the middle of spring. This is done by the transshipment method, i.e. a plant with an earthen lump is removed from the pot, which is placed in a new container.
Possible problems
With proper care, Hoya Carnosa grows safely at home. But when the containment conditions are violated, various problems can arise.
Pests
Hoyu can be hit by the scabbard. It is easy to spot on the outside of the leaf, where the bugs accumulate in the form of dense brown spots with jagged edges.
The best prevention is a regular warm shower.
Thrips can also appear on the plant. They look like long thin brown beetles. Insecticides must be used to kill insects.
Other problems
With an excess of moisture, the soil becomes moldy, and the leaves turn yellow. Hoya is transplanted into new soil and a pot. Dark spots are the result of a burn and the affected leaves must be removed and the flower rearranged. Small leaves and stunted growth indicate a lack of nutrients.
Flower types
From the description of the hoya, it is easy to identify a specific variety. Among the representatives, you can find plants of different shapes and colors. Such vines will be a beautiful home decoration.
Hoya compacta is characterized by twisted leaves that are very close to each other.
Variegata is distinguished by creamy leaves with a green border. This variety has pink flowers. Tricolor combines a rich purple leaf color with a long flowering period - up to six months.
Hoya carnosa grows quickly and is easy to care for. Vines beautifully braid walls or special supports. With the help of such a plant, you can decorate any home.
