Will need help planting the 2nd one. My climate is 82-92ºF / 68% humidity, tropical real feel temps 101ºF. Do I

1. Place the bottom stem in water to root.

2. Place the bottom stem in dry, fast draining soil to root and mist leaves occasionally. This is how I successfully rooted the 1st one.

3. Cut into segments, taking clumps of leaves and aerial roots at both ends. Plant as above. Place leafless segment in soil, keeping correct orientation ... or do I lay them down atop dry soil and mist occasionally?

Thanks again!!

Maria Elena

Thank you, Aurora! I very much appreciate your help.

I have followed your instructions and cut off the bald half of the lower stem. I cut that in half and, maintaining correct orientation, planted the original cutting along with the two cut stem pieces.

Please take a 2nd look at the Australis leaf, as compared to the below. It is not completely round, has a little point on the tip, and a wave at the base. Is it #1 or #2?

Maria Elena

Looks good!

As far as the australis ID by leaf, remember that there will be a lot of variation in leaf shape and size on any ONE plant. Don't ID by leaf shape alone.

An easy way to tell if yours is ssp. australis or ssp. tenuipes, is to check the leaves for pubescence (tiny hairs that make the leaf feel fuzzy). If the leaf is pubescent on the undersides and top (the top of the leaf will be less pubescent), then it is australis ssp. australis. If the leaf is glabrous (lacking hairs/pubescence), then you have australis ssp. tenuipes.

Ahh, got it, Aurora! My leaves are hairless, so Hoya Australis ssp. tenuipes stands. Thank you so much for taking the time to help a Hoya newbie out.

Funny, the perfume on the Hoya ?Carnosa? leaves has completely faded away. Perhaps because they were separated from the mother plant? Just curious. I will update when it blooms.

Maria Elena

I have quite a few hoyas that exude a pleasant fragrance when cut. No clue why, but I assume it's the sap. I have also noticed that it dissipates within a day or so.