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How do people that constantly have problems keep up with the hobby?

7 years ago

There are many posts by the same people who constantly battle rot, infestations, and other problems. Yet, these people still continue to grow hoyas and replace the ones they have lost time and time again. lol

I would have given up by now if i had so many problems.

What keeps you going?

Featured Answer

aurorawa

7 years ago

I constantly had issues in the beginning, like many others are experiencing now, as they begin this passion (for me, this is not a hobby). My reason for sticking through, no matter the issues, is because I love to learn. And I love to try different things to succeed.

You should never look at the loss of a plant as a failure. It is a learning experience.

My best advice for those new and/or struggling:

*Buy cheap, common species first. And don't be shy to offer trades. You don't have a hoya yet, but you have many begonia species? Offer to trade!

*NEVER rely on someone else's method for growing. Experiment, find what works for you, in your climate. As an example, I cannot use soil in my mixes. I just can't. It would be way cheaper if I could, but for my climate, and my growing method, soil would quickly rot my plants.

*Never be afraid to ask for help!

*ALWAYS make multiple cuttings (if you can)! If you receive a 5 node cutting, make two 2 node cuttings, and 1 one node. It will increase your chances of having SOMETHING survive. Sure, it may take a bit longer for new growth, but if the tradeoff is that at least one survives, then I say go for it. There are times when I have made four 1 node cuttings and six 2 node cuttings, from a 10 node cutting, just to ensure SOMETHING would survive.

*Same with plants! You receive a pubicalyx plant, take one or two cuttings and pot in a different pot! That way, if the mother plant fails (due to shock, climate change issues, soil, whatever), you at least have a backup!

*Don't overwater! If you are unsure, it is safer to keep dry (exceptions are the lasiantha/praetorii/javanica/multiflora family and a few others)!

*Fertilize every watering.

*Check for pesties at least once every two weeks and treat promptly, to keep the infestation under control!

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Comments (17)

moonwolf_gw
7 years ago
The mealies would find me every year, but they stopped bothering my plants about two summers ago. I do get aphids, but they're easier to battle than mealybugs. Now I lost a few this winter due to letting them get too dry, but otherwise, I have no problems. I think they would be happier if I had a greenhouse/conservatory/sunporch, but I make do with what I have.

I love Hoyas and gardening too much to give it up. This is one hobby I plan on doing until the day I die. I would like to make a living doing gardening of some sort (owning my own nursery, primarily), and I hope that is one dream that comes true.

Brad AKA Moonwolf
Monica bf N. Carolina zone 7B
7 years ago
I've killed more Hoyas than I have. Some varieties after 3 tries I'm giving up on. No need wasting money. Others I have and love seem to go through an ebb and flow. Others have been my neglect or over caring. For some reason I'm so freaked out by fungus gnats that I under water and the roots almost become to dry to hold water once I do water.

I also have a bad habit of walking right into the house w/out taking my shoes off and think I bring some uninvited guests.

Eventually I'll get on a schedule and things will take off. I love the variations in leaf size, coloring and patterns that keep me coming back for more. Once my smaller plants get bigger this summer I think they will be easier to maintain.

i swore I was over growing citrus trees too but I bought over 17 this summer and am successfuly over wintering 15. So I'm happy.
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Bridgett Gooden
7 years ago
People that continue to have problems probably come here because it SEEMED to be a good places to learn from nice people and get great advice.. Should we stop asking because someone appears to be bothered by out on again off again failure/success? If you are passionate about something a few problems will not determine that you need to give up.how will you ever learn?
tlbean2004
Original Author
7 years ago
aurorawa(8B) A side question, Do you hoyas still grow in the winter time with you giving them fertilizer?
susanzone5 (NY)
7 years ago
A plant with problems I can't immediately fix, goes in the trash. It's an opportunity to shop for another one.

Gardening and playing with plants, seeds and growing, is a passion, a hobby, a sanctuary. We put up with the problems to have the joy. But every gardener has their tolerance limits.
aurorawa
7 years ago
Tlbean...yes:

Those are just the ones I could easily photograph.
mairzy_dotes
7 years ago
In answer to the question about why people continue.....I think for many it is the challenge to finally make it work... get it right...find the solution. For me, I just find a great joy in being around them, (playing in the dirt so to speak). Gardening and plant care has always been therapeutic for me. The ones I continually have issues with, I stop wasting time, and just keep more of the ones that do well for me and my climate ( after a few years, you learn wish ones those are).

As to the question about growth in winter, I get new growth from most of the ones that I keep under lights, set on timers to extend the daylight hours. The ones hanging in windows seem to stop completely, even if I fertilize with every watering. I do stop the fish fertilizer in winter though.
tlbean2004
Original Author
7 years ago
mairzy_dotes How long do you keep your grow lights on everyday?
myermike_1micha
7 years ago
Monica, where have you been? Miss you at the Citrus Forums..We are having a lot of fun there too and would love you to stop by! With that many citrus and your success, you should show off and a bit and help those that need it. I would love to see some pics too)))

By the way, I have discovered that if I water my Hoya's without ever getting bone dry and watch for pests, especially mealy, they all do fantastic..Even more so outside..Now I have discovered I have to systemically feed them before they come in from outside or I am in trouble all winter..Next time I will know better!
moonwolf_gw
7 years ago
Mike!!! How are you, man? Haven't talked to you in forever!

I will have to remember your tips for this season. Mine LOVE to be outside in the heat and humidity and do absolutely fabulous there. Still longing for that greenhouse :). Actually, mine have done quite well indoors this winter. It may sound weird, but lately, when I go to take a shower, I haul some of my plants into the bathroom with me, so they can soak up some much needed humidity. It worked great for my Heartleaf Philodendron, and I think the Hoyas are loving it, too!

Brad AKA Moonwolf
myermike_1micha
7 years ago
Hi Brad. I'm ok now and it's good to see you still around! You are right, this is one plant I will never give up no matter how I do with them! I love the surprise blooms I randomly get at any time of the year!! Get the Greenhouse buddy!!!
Monica bf N. Carolina zone 7B
7 years ago
Hi Mike, it's great to see you again in the Hoya forum. I've been busy and still have lots going on with my son, but I stay (nicely) distracted with my Hoyas and Citrus trees. My contractor crapped out on me so my greenhouse didn't get built for the winter:-( It's actually okay because I saved a lot of money and wintered my citrus in the garage this year. Surprisingly, they are doing great! I have 15 packed into the garage so my husband has to leave his car out in the driveway lol One of my Myers (the 16th tree) completely defoliated and I'm not quite sure why. I put it outside and the trunk and stems are still green so I'm hoping it grows leaves again this spring.

i did find some mites the other week, so I did a complete foliar spray with Oberon and figured I may as well give them a good drink of systemic.

The garage smells heavenly because several trees have blossomed and I'm getting some flush of leaf growth as well. The trees are under fluorescent lights for at least 12 hours a day and the garage stays at 55-60 degrees (when it's real cold) and the humidity is anywhere from 45 to 60%.

Here are a few pictures:

Please excuse all the junk in the background.
Laura F (z9FL)
7 years ago
My "day job" is tending roses. I have about 25 gardens that I care for. Every week they need to be sprayed for fungus. Insects are common so I am always on the look out for them. I used to grow over 100 roses in my own garden and in Florida these were big plants and a lot of work. Hoyas, easy peazy.

If there is a problem I usually have the solution in my garage in the way of an insecticide.

I grow all but 3 of my hoyas outside in a soilless mix. If I used that rocky looking mix I'd have to water 2x a day. This is what works for me.
Monica bf N. Carolina zone 7B
7 years ago
Laura - what type of mix do you use?
Laura F (z9FL)
7 years ago
keep in mind that my climate is warm...or freaking HOT most of the time. I use what used to be called Fafard (3B formula) now I think it is called Sungrow. It is mostly peat moss with pine bark fines and perlite added. To this basic mix I will add other things: additional perlite, cypress mulch, time released fertilizer
Monica bf N. Carolina zone 7B
7 years ago
Laura, that's what I use for my citrus teees but in a 5-1-1 ratio (pine bark fines/perlite/peat. That's been working pretty well however, I haven't completely bare rooted the trees and find I do still get some fungus gnats. God, I hate those buggers! lol

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