Hi Cena,

Yeah, it's very quiet over here, for a while now, guess folks are busy w/ other things.

I commented on this series of pix at the Houseplant post. Very nice plant. Interesting Q abt the crack in the stems, don't know the answer, but would guess just alcohol sprayed at the cracks would do, don't know that anti-fungal is necessary.

This cracking stem stuff must happen in the wild 'cause these stems & leaves are so darn heavy. Mine only has one long bald vine so I can train it upward, but I'd guess this plant's natural orientation is to hang, again, 'cause of the heavy stems. I'm guessing that when my bald vine starts leafing out, its weight alone is gonna pull it downwards.

If it were mine, I think I'd consider taking cuttings from the more cracked stems, rooting them & putting them back in the Mama pot. Personally, I prefer these looking leafy at the top of the pot like yours has, more than long, hanging, leafed out vines (which you also have), but I think that's just personal taste. Sorry I don't have more constructive suggestions to offer; enjoy, whatever you decide.

Thanks, Karen. I did read what you had to say. With all my hoyas, I have never had this happen before. It kinda scared me...

I also prefer the look that you commented on. I have been working on a kerrii for going on three years now. Two of these plants (the best looking ones) were trades, and the long, long vines were in the pot being trained upwards. This plant had stalled, perhaps because of winter, but needed a nudge to get growing again. I knew that if it leafed out, it would just get heavier. I figured to get it over with and hang everyone. If those vines were in better shape, or actively growing, I would consider a quick and dirty trim there.

I'm gonna keep an eye on it, and go from there. Thanks for your advice and suggestions.

My kerrii also "bleeds" or loses sap easily. I have it trained around a bamboo trellis and it seems everytime i try to move it, bend it, it will start oozing in several places. I feel like I'm abusing the poor thing. I've noticed the vines are much stiffer than other hoyas; if I had space, I'd let the thing trail, but I don't have space.

Good luck.

Julia

I have one huge kerrii, when I bought it it was trained on a heart shaped very thick wire trellis. I just maintain it's shape and wind it in somewhat around and around shape. can't imagine all those wines hanging - they will uproot themself because of the weight.

As a compulsive plant mover, I've had that happen lots of times. The plant will usually just heal itself and go on as if nothing has happened. The only thing is if you have any nearby mealies, watch the cracks till they heal over or the little boogers will move right in on the free lunch.

The worst I've had happen from unwinding and repositioning long vines is that sometimes the growth temporarily stops or they die back a node before recovering. Thanks for posting the cool pics! Helped the spring fever!

Well Cena,

You inspired me (that & the fact that I'd potted up my rather rootbound Obovata a couple of nights ago). I took my Kerri from the bathroom window which usually grows into the shower & unpotted it for a peek. I potted up a size & stuck a hoop in it mostly to keep it out of the shower stall. So on its hoop, I turned it away from the shower, bald vine facing the other direction. We shall see.

Mine too started leaking sap, I don't really think I cracked it, but as it was never trained & was 1 yrs's worth of vine, it was pretty darn stiff, I think that's the thing, in just flexing the stem, the spots closest to leaf nodes all leaked, look like I'd spilled Elmer's glue.

A day later it looks just fine. From the sound of the numerous others above who have had this happen too, it seems the plant doesn't mind. Here's hoping everybody!

Thanks guys. I had a hard time finding this plant. The generosity of traders is what helped here. So, these are kind of special plants to me, and I would hate for anything unfortunate to happen.

I feel better about this, now.

I would give my eye toothe to have piece of that hoya cannot find one anywhere. hope it goes well for you