I don't know if it is wise to change too much about the way the plant is growing, especially an older established plant. Why not keep it as a hanging plant and start training a few vines up and around the hanger itself, then you will have a combination of both? I know alot of people grow their hoyas on hoops and supports, but some varieties seem happier hanging and doing their own thing.

I don't grow mine on supports, I like the natural look, but I would imagine that growing that way requires a bit more maintenence and also pruning, you probably need to keep them to a certain size to look right, to not get lopsided and tip over. Pruning hoyas means you could be removing vines that will produce flowers. And if you just keep wrapping foliage on top of foliage on the support, eventually the older foliage will be covered by the newer, and won't get as much light or air. I think the hoop/trellis/support way of growing is good for younger plants or for plants that are a few years old, or for slow growers...but considering we keep them so long and some have to be older to bloom, I would not think it is a good long term way to grow some of the varieties. Also, and anyone can chime in here, because like I said, I don't grow that way, but isn't it better to start plants on supports when they are young?

As another alternative, you could put it up on a high shelf or tall piece of furniture. I have installed shelves specifically for trailing plants, I have a rosary vine and a carnosa on a $5 wooden shelf up by the ceiling that I had someone put up for me, that way the plants can grow almost to the floor - tho I have to keep them trimmed to keep them just out of the kitty's reach!

Anyway, whatever you do, do it slow, the plant is going into a new environment, give it a chance to get used to it's new home before you make too many changes. Any bright window would probably be fine for it, just keep an eye out for any unfavorable changes and move it if you have to.

Hi MIM,

Above may be a lot of info. to take in for a newcomer in Hoyas, but read it slowly, it's mostly good.

The one thing Ines did not say is that many of us often take cuttings off new plants we receive, as insurance, just in case something happens or we lose the original plant, we'll always have cuttings to start over from.

I'd take several cuttings, instead of the whole plant.

A west window will be fine for the old Hoya - I grow almost all mine on the east, which is much less intense light (and it would seem we're in the same zone...) and most of them bloom.

But as Ines said, I would probably leave it as a hanging plant. As they say - it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks! Not that it won't climb, but I have a feeling it would look funny to have a plant that has been shaped by hanging for many years and to now start growing up a trellis. I don't really think it makes much difference about the layered foliage - my hanging plants get so thick with foliage that the older leaves are deeply shaded by the younger leaves.

But I think the MOST important thing for you to do is get VERY detailed instrustions on how your friend is taking care of the plant. How often does she water? (You'll probably have to adjust this a little according to your slightly different conditions, but it's an important question...) When was it last repotted or top-dressed? Does she fertilize and with what? If you can minimize the changes of its environment and growing conditions, it will maximize your chance of a smooth transition for the plant. As old as it is, it should be fine.

Denise in Omaha

I sure wish I could get paid in plants. It would save the time and gas I put into going to the store to buy them. Since I spend most of my money on plants anyway... ;-)