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Question 1...

14 years ago

I just ordered three new Hoyas Monday--H. Bella variegata, H. Curtisii & H. Kentiana. I've been wanting the H. Kentiana for some time, though I still cannot see a difference between that and the Wayetti even with the discussion here on GW last October. I wanted the dark leaf margins, but according to that thread, mine won't have them. Ayhoo, the question is about the H. Curtisii. After ordering on Monday, I decided to read up on the three and found that they suggest that it is far better on Moss, as it forms only surface roots. What exactly does that mean? No soil, just moss? Soil with moss on top. Where do you get moss and what is the best moss? I need to be prepared when it comes, so instruct away!!!

Thanks!!!

Tish

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Comments (3)

okie_deb
14 years ago
Hi Tish,
By moss they are referring to sphagnum moss. You should find it in a compacted block form at Lowe's, Home Depo or possibly at WalMart. It's usually with the orchid supplies at a store.
By on moss I would take it they are talking about it being mounted on cork or wood and then moss being attached by fishing line to hold it in place. You also can put damp moss in a flower pot and plant the cutting in it.
You will see when your plants arrive what the place you ordered them from has been growing them in and my bet is it will be a soil mix of some sort.
I hope this helps!,,,,Debbie
User
14 years ago
I agree w/ Okie Deb's explanation (Hiya Deb!).

I've done both (grown H curtisii in mix & mounted on bark). I don't think Moss is the way to go here. Unless one has prior experience w/ these particular Hoyas, it's likely to add confusion to learning their particular watering needs.

I've grown Curtisii for years w/ little effort, but know some folks find it tricky.

H Bella is known to be quite tricky, difficult to get its watering just right, lots of folks have had this trouble. Mine's doing OK now, now a little sprig, but that's growing in Hydro, not mix.

I'd suggest growing them in mix first, learning these particular Hoyas & THEN afterwards experiment about different things to grow them in/on.

I grew some mounted on bark & just attached by sewing thread winding it around a few times, btu I had to water it EVERY DAY. That's too high maintenance for me.
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tishfromwis
Original Author
14 years ago
I decided to email GHW and ask them to replace the H. Curtisii with H.pubicalyx Phillipine black (please don't tell me it has issues too :) ). If I had know the H. Curtisii was doable in soil, I would not have changed my order, I really like the looks of it. So now I've got to worry about the H. Bella too?! Maybe I'll be lucky, it is a very neat looking hoya!!! And next time I'll order the H. Curtisii again and place in soil since it is possible to grow it that way.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom!!!

Tish

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