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Which of these two hoya is the coolest, which easiest?

6 years ago

I am trying to choose between a cutting for H. davidcummingii, or Hoya obovato picta. Is one of these difficult enough that people don't grow it often? Which flowers more often and more easily. Which is the faster grower. And, honestly; most importantly to me, which is a more beautiful plant. Growing in the Cloudy rainy Pacific Northwest. Thank you all.

Laurie

Featured Answer

Denise

6 years ago

My variegated obovata rarely grows a variegated leaf. I think it's an unstable variegate. So if you already grow obovata, I'd personally pass on the variegated one as you might just end up with a duplicate. Davidcummingii, for me, has been temperamental. It grew well, bloomed, then declined. I salvaged some and it plugged along barely growing for a couple years, and now it's growing again. I've read it can be difficult, but I haven't tried it in hydroton, which does seem to work for me with difficult species. If it gives me any more trouble, I'll move it over to semi-hydro...

Denise in Omaha

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Comments (8)

aurorawa
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
1. Neither is difficult to grow. Davidcummingii does best grown in a semi-hydro fashion. Obovata can tolerate cooler climates, lower light and less watering.

2. Both flower fast and pretty easily.

3. Both grow rather quickly.

4. Is subjective. Davidcummingii has rather plain leaves, but the (TINY) flowers are the most adorable cotton-candy/pastel shades of pink and yellow.

Obovata variegated ("Picta" is a misnomer) has stunning leaves, but it's flowers, although larger than davidcummingii, are more on the plain side, having white-to-light pink corollas and deep pink coronas.

Both do have fragrant blooms; davidcummingii scented like buttery caramel, obovata like carnations mixed with roses and a light undertone of some spice I can't make out.
Laurie (8A)
Original Author
6 years ago
I have yet to educate myself at all on hydro growing yet, so that will be interesting. I so appreciate your information Aurora, Thank you. I will be in touch, hopefully to report on a healthy new hoya.
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triffidmoss
6 years ago
Get both! :D
Denise
6 years ago
A P.S. Laurie... I see you're in a southern zone, so my difficulty with DC may be a moot point. Marco in Florida has one that grows like a weed and flowers up a storm, so it obviously likes the heat!

Denise in Omaha
aurorawa
6 years ago
Laurie is up North, here with me, in the PNW.
Greenthumb
6 years ago
I can't grow DC to save my soul. I have killed so many that I have given up. I've tried in potting mix and semi-hydro and neither have worked for me. I'm in MN, so you could say it's "cool" here at certain times of the year. :o)

I've tried growing DC in both a south window and under T-5 lights and neither has worked out.

Mike
Laurie (8A)
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all so very much. Full disclosure. My plumbing went out in the most disgusting of ways the morning of the 4th. House full of company, oh good lord, it was such a fun time for all. With the holiday we had a heck of a time until we finally got someone here to fix it. Ugh. But thank you all. I really really appreciate all the info. It helped. I am leaning to the obovata. I will post pics when I have it in hand.

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