The part of the plant i was refering to is the green (sometimes red or pink; color varies), soft(herbaceous), part of the stem that is located between the nodes of the youngest leaves. I needed to know this because I am doing a science project that has to do with testing what host is prefered for a semi-parasitic plant (Santalum paniculatum) and if liquid fertilizer will supply the plant with necessary nutrients. To measure the effectiveness of each independant variable I am measuring the size of the largest leaf, height, and the length of the "fleshy stem." The reason why I am measuring this is because the length of this portion of the stem is directly related to the plant's health and growth conditions. It is usually longer on faster growing individuals and shorter on slower growing individuals. This fleshy stem is often absent or very small on stunted plants. It is difficult to measure this part of the stem, especially for plants that grow year-round, because the fleshy stem gradually becomes wood. For plants that have conspicuous buds and grow seasonally there is a discrete line between wood and fleshy stem. It would be helpful to know a scientifically correct term (if it exists) for this part of a woody plant because I will have to write a lab report including my data, and I must use proper scientific language.

From what I've been told, wood stems just mean that it is old growth and green stems mean new growth. Wood stems does not mean that your plant is not well. It is perfectly normal.

Denise, I didn't even notice that "meliflora" thing! I thought it was meliflua, but it's more likely multiflora/javanica (Vicki, if it's multiflora or javanica, it likes lots of water). As for the pot size, we all have our preferences. But I just wanted to say that weight shouldn't be an issue in terms of pot size. Yes, kerrii and obovata are heavy plants, but as long as they are supported they can do fine in even a solo cup. For example, I have my big kerrii in a 3" plastic pot which is inside a heavy cache pot - I don't think it needs to be in a 6" pot just because of the weight. I don't know, I just think a 6" pot is super big for one cutting, but that's just me. But if using clay pots and very loose soil, I can see why it's healthy and doesn't rot (I would just advise those who are more new to hoyas to be careful with big pots, since they can take a while to dry out...and also a while to bloom!!). Gabi By the way..Vicki, you can keep multiflora/javanica in a large pot - it will bloom regardless of whether it's potbound or not, and it likes to stay moist..so you don't have to worry about it sitting in moist soil.

I've grown "Tri-color" and "Red Edge" for decades and never had a problem getting them to branch. Just hack off whats going in the mistbed and, below it, within a few weeks, I get multiple new growth. This is all new growth, about 2 months old. The original plant has been in this pot for many years and it's a cutting from one that's in the ground.