Sharon,

I use Fafard # 3 soil mix, which is very similar to the media you listed above.

Although the Hoyas you spoke of are moisture lovers, it always makes me nervous leaving them sitting in a pan of water. I personally would opt for a pebble tray to increase the humidity around the plant. If you add a couple inches of gravel to a tray and fill with water, your Hoyas could sit on top of the gravel and that would allow air circulation around the roots, while giving the Hoyas needed humidity.

That said, different things work for different people and the trick is discovering which technique works best for you.

Mel, I do something similar to the pebble trays. I used to use pebbles but that was harder/time consuming to clean, so I went to just trays of water with the plants propped up on small plant saucers turned upside down. Having water underneath the plants does help tremendously to add humidity. I can see where the pebbles would be better to allow more air for the roots though. Maybe for these new cuttings, I will use the pebble trays. Once they've grown enough, I'll take cuttings and try mixing up something like I mentioned above. So far, I haven't found any of the soil mixes you recommended in a previous post. I'm pretty much stuck with what Lowes and Wal-Mart carry which is the standard stuff. It seems like even the individually owned nurseries around here carry the same plants and supplies as the big chains--the only difference is they actually take care of the plants!

Thanks for your guidance!

That Fafard is what 'Cowboyflowerman' (Jodi) on ebay uses also, and since I really liked it in the plants he sent, I called around trying to get it, but it is mainly only sold in states other than mine, so I gave up as shipping would be ridiculous for DIRT. Ha.
I get soooo mad trying to find soils without all the added fertilizers and water retainers they put in them now. Even my old standbuy "Supersoil" is now putting crap in their mix. You would think they would at least keep and offer ONE variety with nothing added.
As far as pebble trays go, you can also get some of that white plastic 'grid' stuff from Home Depot and cut it into the size you need. It holds the plants up and still allows circulation underneath them wihout the mess and weight oh stones.
I still leave my bellas sitting in some water in their sauser, but I wait until it has been gone a day or two before I water them again.
Marcy

Marcy, do you remember which section of HD has this white plastic grid stuff? I like the idea that it can be cut to size, but I'm not real sure what it is.

I think it is with lighting, as it is what is used in floresent ceiling lights to cover the bottom of the fixture. They have it in shinny metal color, or white. I got the white & just used metal shears to cut it to size. I didn't get the thickest one, but in some places I use 2 pieces on top of one another so I can make the water deeper.
Marcy

I wish I knew what it is called but I don't.

Thanks Marcy! Now I know what you are talking about and will check it out. Sounds like it would work great!

For my moisture lovers, instead of a pebble tray, I use a marble tray. I could never find pebbles that were of uniform size so my pots were always lopsided. Then it occurred to me that marbles are of a uniform size and round and I find they do the job, and at the same time nurture my aesthetic nature.
Christine

I agree with Mel as I don't like my plants just sitting in water. The marble idea sounds really neat!

I scavenge dollar stores and party stores for bags of marbles. No more loopsided moisture lovers in my house! Hoyas aren't the only ones - I have a huge anthurium on marbles and every time I walk by it, it gets a little spin...lol.

I just happen to have some clear marbles that aren't being used so I guess I'll put them to use now!