Is the 6 inch pot of the Hoya lanceolata ssp bella "Luis Bois" still available for trade? If so I'm interested to try to work out a trade for it. Let me know please. Thank you!,,,,Debbie

Bella is a cool temp. growing hoya, so make sure it isn't exposed to high or dry heat. I never could get this one to be happy for me, but I have it's tiny leaved cousin (chinghungensis) growing and thriving, hanging under the skylight in my kids' bathroom. Bella (and chinghungensis) likes to be kept lightly damp, but not drippy/soggy. Growing semi-hydro seems to work well, but I make the reservoir shallower (1/2-3/4 inch for bella/chinghungensis vs. the standard 1-1 and 1/2 inch reservoir for other hoyas) because the roots seem more shallow and more sensitive to growing in the water. This is probably a defense mechanism due to them being cooler climate growers.

Interestingly enough, Hoya lanceolata (Lindley's, not Wallich ex Don) is actually thought to be the true verticillata, which, in no way, looks like bella. Christine Burton quotes, "After seeing pictures of the Vahl specimens, supplied to me by Dr. Veldkamp of Leiden University, I was convinced that Hoya pallida Lindley (not Dalz. & Gibs.) and Hoya lanceolata Lindley (not Wallich ex. D. Don) are Hoya verticillata (Vahl) G. Don." Also, interestingly, Hoya lanceolata Wallich ex Don IS listed as a ssp. bella, but a homonyn for it is LINDLEY'S Hoya lanceolata (which many have identified as verticillata)! Here is the issue...both herbarium specimens and publications were accepted in 1825, so how do we know who is correct? Well, since all names/homonyms/synonyms are UNRESOLVED: we may never know

I am tempted to start experimenting and removing leaves where I want her to fill out.... But I'm sure she would be offended and.... drop some leaves :D