Interesting Q abt the H rubra. I'd only ever seen it here in NYC as an EA plant. Foliage looked like KP, except the stems were consistently red (whether I kept the plant in strong sun or not). I had one for a while, don't remember what happened, but I no longer have it. I've been w/ plant societies now abt 14 yrs. or so (10 w/ Cactus & Succulents & more w/ Indoor Gardening). While I myself rarely ordered from nurseries (unless there in person), I have heard of Bob Smoleys this whole time. I have to think that if he's been in business all these yrs., he's doing something right. Personally, the bad experience I had was buying Hoyas in Sept. 06 down in Florida while there visiting my ailing Dad. I won't say the name except that the man & his wife seemed very nice (she drove me back to Dad's saving me $17 on taxi which I could spend on Hoyas instead). Seemed a hobby grower rather than a professional. Seemed crazed for all kinds of Hoyas, they were small & a bit pricy & he couldn't seem to understand that growing outside in Ft. Lauderdale humidity was decidedly different than indoors in NYC w/ heated homes. He said to keep them much drier (he grew outside & didn't seem to realize that FLA's humidity kept his plants moist w/out watering). Anyway, when he sent me a replacement of a plant that had died, I asked him to mark top from bottom which he pointedly did not do. I couldn't get it to root, cause I couldn't tell top from bottom (event tho' he'd said most leaves point down. It was such a simple request & he didn't comply, said I was the only person he had this problem w/, I told him I would NOT be regalling the Hoya forum w/ rave reviews of his Hoyas. He also got me wondering when he showed me what looked like a H. Shepardhii w/ bright red, tiny blooms in the middle which were decidedly Discidia blooms not Hoya blooms, yet he didn't see the diff., weird. Said he'd spent hundred of dollars on Ted Gelding's Hoyas only to have all of them die. I lost all 5 that I bought from him & the 6th bonus one too, bummer! CBFM sounds like a better idea for sure, I'm guessing he'll come thru one way or another!

I have the new Hoya book. I'm going to be completely honest about it, so please don't shoot me down. Because of the ridiculous dollar to pound exchange rate, the amount the book cost me is probably about 3/4 of what you guys will pay for said book. I am enjoying the book (well I love reading about hoyas, so that makes sense). However because part of my job involves spotting mistakes in the text, I get quite annoyed at the endless typos and errors left in. I respect Anne and Dale but I feel that by trying to leave as much of Dale's writing creates sections that are either completely irrelevant or sentences that refer to a picture that was obviously in the previous book that did not make it into this book. Also, a lot of the plant photos are out of focus. If you're trying to compare a plant that may not have flowered yet (even given that the identities of some of the hoyas may be incorrect) with a blurry photo, it's not going to help you much. However, I have learnt about the anatomy of the hoya flower and the different names for the shape of the leaf, and that has been very helpful. And I'm still enjoying it, even if I am taking it with a pinch of salt. Hope that helps, Hills

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I'm totally ready to deal with H. imbricata...I cut a 5' dead branch out of my Maple tree today....I covered it with coco-fibre, tying it with garden twine. When the plants arrive, I'll attach the imbricata to the coco-fibre with the same garden twine and place the entire 5' branch, with plant attached, in my Yucca pot...facing the west window. Then it'll be easy to spray the plant as often as needed. I do not like the idea of a terrarium...I tried it before using a 10 gallon fishtank...it was too difficult and there's not enough light...plus, it's in my house, where I keep the thermostats at 58 degrees during the winter. I believe the plant will do fine in my sunroom where the humidity is maintained at a minimum of 70% during the winter, and much, much higher in the summer...plus the temperatures are significantly higher than I keep my house. Mike (Ont), thanks for your advice on the soaking...I'll definitely follow your suggestion. Mike (Mn), let us know when you receive your sigillatus from Apodagis. Hopefulauthor...I wasn't the only one to purchase sigillatus from Apodagis...he had 10 plugs offered, "buy it now" at 9.99 and 7.50 shipping...I bought 4 of the 10, Mike (Mn) bought one of them...there were still two remaining when I ordered mine...but, the auction ended 20 hours after I placed my order. Funny thing about Apodagis that he encouraged hopefulauthor to opt for the $30 shipping, and he discouraged me from doing so...he strongly suggested that I go with the $7.50 shipping. I have a worrisome feeling that the transit time will be similar with the $41 shipping cost and the $7.50 shipping cost. I'm confident that I'll receive both packages by Christmas...perfect for me, cause, when I receive a package of hoyas, I'm just like a "kid on Christmas morning"! LOL Thank you all so much...you're the greatest!! Best wishes, Patrick

Here is a list of hoya books for sale I found in a recent catalog sent to me (most under $10). I purchased them all except for the first one for reasons which need not be explained here. I hope this gives you a better guide to hoya publications out there. Burton, C.M. --- HOYAS I KNOW AND LOVE. A basic introduction on growing and caring for hoyas; watering, potting, repotting, etc. 24 color photos (including b/w line drawings of leaf structure) are included of 24 different types of hoyas. Descriptions of these hoyas are also included. 52 pages. 8-1/2" x 11", 3-ring binder. Forster, Paul (Editor) --- HOYA IN AUSTRALIA. 1986. A first attempt to properly identify and describe the hoyas and dischidias found in Australia today. Includes introduction, distribution/ecology and cultivation of each of the species found, with location maps. Featured are 29 well illustrated full-page b/w line drawings of hoyas, dischidias stems, leaves, flower umbels, side views, etc. Includes a nice cultivation chapter. All semi-technical. 39 pages. 8-1/2" x 11-3/4", staplebound with heavy color cover. Forster, Paul I. & Liddle, David J. --- HOYA IN AUSTRALIAÂAn Alternative Classification. 1990. This is an alternative classification to that of Mr. Hill, of the species of hoya in Australia excluding Hoya australis. Six species are described and illustrated: H. lauterbachii, H. macgillivrayi, H. nicholsoniae, H. psudolittoralis, and H. serpens, along with six full-page b/w drawings of hoyas, and one page of maps. Distribution and habitat of each variety is outlined in detail. 19 pages, 8-1/2" x 11", spiralbound photocopy reprint. Kloppenburg, Dale --- HOYA BASICS . Rev. Edition, 1999. A first in hoya literature! Mr. Kloppenburg has produced a basic beginner's "know how" booklet with all you need to know to understand and grow hoyas. Author takes you through the mechanics of hoyas, how you can keep them healthy + propagation tips shared by experts. And, most importantly: how you can get your hoyas to bloom! Sixteen nice large-sized color photos included. 3 b/w photos, 44 pages, 8-½"x 11", spiralbound, with color cover and clear plastic overlayÂfront and back. Mint condition---never used. SPECIES NAMES. 1992. Gives the correct pronunciation and meaning of thousands of words used when referring to hoyas in so many terms. 78 pages. 8-1/2" x 11", spiralbound. Kloppenburg, Dale --- PHILIPPINE HOYA SPECIES. 1st Ed., 1991. 4 color photos, 350 b/w line drawings. 103 pages. 8-1/2" x 11", wirebound. Kloppenburg, Dale --- THE WORLD OF HOYASÂA Book of Pictures. 1st Ed., 1999. This book illustrates not only the flowers of 102 different hoyas, but a look at the plantsÂtheir leaf and stem structure. Author takes you through the entire spectrum of the history of hoyas, where theyÂre found, historical information, plus full description and culture and care information on all hoyas pictured. For all true hoya lovers, this is a book worth having. 102 pages of color, 260 pages total. 8-1/2" x 11", 3-ring binder w/color front. Rintz, R.E. --- THE PENINSULAR MALAYSIAN SPECIES OF HOYA. 1978. The author basically gives the reader a study of the living Malaysian species of hoya, described and with detailed line drawings to outline his subjects. 30 full page b/w line drawings of the 30 different types of hoyas found in the Malaysian peninsula. 60 pages. 8-1/2" x 11", spiralbound photo reprint. Schlechter, Rudolf --- HOYAS OF NORTHEASTERN NEW GUINEA. 1991 English translation of the 1913 German publication. Describes 51 hoya species native to that part of the world. 101 pages. 8-1/2" x 11", spiralbound. Eddie