| As with many Tropical Plants, Hoya care requires | | | | roots optimum airy conditions they need and prevents |
| consideration of their natural habitat. Drainage Hoyas | | | | water-logging, which is one of the only ways to kill |
| can be found in most terrestrial habitats known to man. | | | | many Hoya. Hoya tend to inhabit semi-shaded forest |
| Most Hoyas inhabit tropical regions and enjoy warm, | | | | canopies - don't let them sit on a scorching windowsill. |
| humid conditions for most of the year. For example, | | | | Direct sunlight in small doses may be of benefit, but |
| many Hoyas originate from Indonesia, which has a | | | | continued direct sun will bleach the leaves and harm |
| tropical climate with average annual temperatures in | | | | your plant. This also applies to most tropical plants. |
| the region of 30 degrees Celsius. However, even | | | | Hoya australis 'Lisa' enjoys a bit of strong light. The |
| tropical regions show variations in climate, decreasing | | | | new leaves are tinged with red in bright light, reverting |
| as you get further inland and at higher elevations. It is | | | | to their variegated form. |
| much cooler from June through to September when | | | | If your potting mix is well-drained, you shouldn't have a |
| the North Eastern monsoon arrives. | | | | problem with watering. Water when the soil is almost |
| Many Hoyas are epiphytic and share their homes with, | | | | completely dry and you will be allowing plenty of air to |
| or make their homes on, other tropical plants. They | | | | the roots. An epiphytic plant will have just enough |
| establish in the forest canopy, entwined around | | | | water to get by on, but not so much that they become |
| branches and clinging to bark with their roots. Their | | | | waterlogged. To recreate canopy conditions, I mist |
| only food is the decaying matter found in the crevices, | | | | mine every few days. This also allows me to apply |
| washed over their roots by water run-off.These | | | | foliar feed, which I do about 4 times in the growing |
| observations give you an insight into the life of tropical | | | | season, and each time a plant is in bloom. |
| Hoya in their natural habitat. Remember that Hoyas do | | | | Hoya should not be exposed to temperatures below |
| inhabit an incredibly varied range of habitats and grow | | | | 10 degrees Celsius for long. If you are over-wintering |
| in many different ways. However, these observations | | | | them in cool conditions, please make sure they are |
| apply to the majority of Hoya species found in tropical | | | | very dry. |
| regions. You can provide these conditions by following | | | | Remember that most Hoya are Tropical Plants and |
| a few simple steps. | | | | whilst many are tough, some have a more demanding |
| These plants will benefit from excellent drainage. I use | | | | nature. |
| a 50/50 mix of compost and Perlite. This gives the | | | | |