Why should you keep this dryer? A kerrii is a kerrii or am I completely wrong...? Just because I have a plain green hoya and the same hoya variegated I give them just as much water and they don't seem to mind. Provided they are potted about the same (size pot etc).

From what I gathered from reading other posts about the two kerriis, I assumed that the variegated kerrii was a little more tempermental than the plain green variety. Was just wondering if watering factored into it or not.

I believe on other threads, there've been at least several suggestions by some that the varieg Kerrii seems to do better (or be less problematic) when kept on the drier side. A number of us who've grown it DO find it to be sort of temperamental, esp. those of us who've lost it!!! As opposed to my all green Kerrii, which grows w/ no problems.

I don't recall how I had rooted my late varieg Kerrii cutting, but DO recall that it took over ONE YEAR to do anything (that is to say show top growth).

Onca, I'm just letting you know this 'cause it can be quite the waiting game (esp. since like many, I don't have a greenhouse, it may go faster for those who do).

Currently, I have a small cutting of reverse varieg Kerrii (1 node & 1 leaf) gotten in June 04, which just now is starting to do something. Finally, it grew a new stem & two small leaves, but that's taken 13 months. I've forgotten if I started rooting it in water or mix (I tend to start most of mine in water when possible). If that doesn't work, then I switch to mix or all pumice.

I don't know that I would have chosen to start it in sand, curious: I would have tried water, or AV mix w/ extra perlite or pumice or even all pumice, but sand?

Also, how do you know you have lots of roots, can you see them in the sand? Hopefully, you're not taking the cutting out to check are you? If so, that would slow down new growth as well.

Just so you know, you may be in for long wait, & it may help to pot it as small as possible.

Hello Pirate Girl:

First of all thanks for responding .

I'm not taking the cutting (plain green kerrii) out of the rooting medium (sand)I can see roots emerging from the surface (and growing downwards back into the soil.
Actually, it wouldn't have been my rooting medium of choice either, but at the time I received the cutting,I was in the process of moving, and the sand was all I had at the time. I did read on a hoya website where the webpage owner used sand as a rooting medium for kerrii.

After moving and getting settled in (about 2 weeks), I noticed the cutting had sent out a root right at soil level, so I left it there,(if it's not broke, don't try to fix it) :) Also, since I've read that kerrii prefers drier soil, thought sand would be okay since it drains quickly. I do water a little more though and have fertilized (very well diluted).

As for the variegated kerrii, that is why I asked if there were alternate solutions, since I've heard that it can be quite tempermental.

I've experienced this with other plants, variegated versus the all-green relative. At the moment I have the cuttings in water;but might try one in sand to see how it does, and leave the other in water to see which one does better.

I'm glad your cutting is doing well, and although it took so long to see results, sounds like you will have a nice plant.