Jerry - it's strange because this didn't start happening until late spring/early summer. I have it in a very open mix of coconut and hydroton - perhaps I should soak more often..it has been getting bone dry for days at a time...guess this was fine for the winter when they don't want as much water, but not too great for the summer. Brooke - that is AMAZING to know!! So from what you're saying, it seems like these like it wet but very airy as well. Now that you mention this, I realize my tobaense actually dropped all it's leaves in what I believe is an extreme case of what I'm observing with the hybrid. Repotted it this morning and noticed it was in a pretty nasty fine bark mix that was breaking down, underneath a layer of sphag (which was constantly crispy). Not too many good roots (probably resulting in drought like symptoms) I repotted in a more open mix, and will keep it more moist while allowing it to dry out somewhat. Thanks for the ideas everyone...I'll try to up the watering.

I do remember reading about that name change; it's tough to keep up with all the switches in nomenclature these days. I suspect more folks might grow these if they were more universally hardy, but I think I'm at about the northern edge of their range, and the big box stores aren't likely to carry them because of that. Besides, if they were more commonly available, I would probably lose interest. I used to be fascinated by Phalaenopsis orchids as a kid, but don't even give them a second look now that Trader Joe's carries them right next to the baked goods. BTW -I have a huge collection of Zephyranthes, Habranthus, and Cooperia which is now hopelessly muddled because of label-pulling in the back yard last summer (they mostly look the same until they bloom, and some even then). I thought it had been done with too much dexterity to blame the birds, and was just about to begin interrogating neighbor children, when I discovered the culprit (caught red handed, so to speak) was a raccoon! If I can manage to propagate the Hemiboea this summer (assuming it rears its head again - it's dormant right now), I'd be happy to send you one. Just help me remember to work on that later on this spring.

This is my firs posting and I can see this is an old discussion but will try. I am also fighting the yellow bugs on my hoya. My fault for keeping it outside whjile we were living in a rental while we built a new house. My hoya is large and old. I started it from one leaf from my mother-in-law almost 40 years ago. It has never had bugs until a year ago. I have been fighting these yellow bugs on the new growth for the past year. I am going to try the alcohol treatment with water bath (insecticidal soap did not work in long term). I see that Amazon has Bayer Tree & Schrub on its website but it also has an Bayer insectide for aphids etc. Has anyone tried that?

Kasie - Can't believe you didn't grab it girl! Go back when you have time and hubby isn't in a hurry and grab one or two or what the hec maybe even three or four like I did, LOL! I have learned quickly to give my friends who come over the cheap ones from HD or Wallyworld. I like to share the aloha spirit but it starts getting rather costly when your plants aren't big enough to take cuttings from yet and everyone wants the most expensive one you have, lol. Now I give them the 6 dollar ones complete with inflo and they are happy campers...walah, problem solved and I am still sharing, lol...(now I sound like a cheap skate :) Teri - if the cutting is rotting it's more than likely from the bottom so you will want to cut from the bottom until you see good white wood where the cut is. I had to cut some of mine today and although I found white wood there was no latex flowing...don't know if they will make it or not. Is the top squishy, or just the bottom? The really squishy parts need to go, hopefully it is just from the bottom and you can reroot. Karen B. - That's a great find girl and at an excellent price! I have a KW but no inflo yet :( maybe later in the summer. Can you post pics of yours, would love to see it!