Just thought that you might want to know that stuff like that and Spanish moss harbor ticks, redbugs, etc. :-)

Given the scenario you described, I think it's dropping the leaf because you changed the conditions. Not necessarily that the new conditions are bad, just extremely different. I would keep an eye on it and keep watering it regularly. I know caudata likes to dry out as much as any other Hoya, but western light is harsh and I think you're more likely to under- than over-water in that location. (At least I am.) I've found that Hoyas either love or hate being put in my western window. I haven't tried caudata yet, so I'll be interested to see what you find. I do understand, though, that caudatas grow so slow that it's hard to see them drop a whole healthy leaf. >_I have 6 caudatas and most I grow in my aquarium but some I grow in with the other Hoyas. I think they grow slightly faster in the aquarium. The caudata (EPC 662) grows like a weed in there! ///start rant As I have said many times in the past, I would highly recommend this plant. If you like the look of caudata but have been frustrated by its slowwwwga growth habit (and intimidating reputation) get EPC 662. It's like caudata-for-beginners! Its leaves are different from the other caudatas I have, and when I first received it, it was labeled as "aff. caudata." They are thinner and have a cupping shape, but are still very leathery and rough and with abundant lichen coloring. They are also very hairy. The flowers are typical caudata flowers. It's a fascinating plant. ///end rant Is there any particular reason you want to combine the two? I assume it's because they are slow growing and you want a fuller looking plant? People always talk about how combining plants forces them to compete with each other, so that might be something for you to consider. It might be they don't grow any quicker together. Setting that aside, if it's something you want to do, I say do it now. You've already upset the plant's rhythm by moving it, so you might as well upset it more. You know what I mean? (I'm using the term 'upset' very loosely here. ^_~) I haven't noticed my caudatas being overly upset by being moved around. In fact, I consider them pretty vigorous. I'm constantly untwining those hairy little vines from things and it doesn't seem to do them any harm. Maybe you just notice these little setbacks more with caudata because you're more worried about it?

I have different birds then you. I have Ann's year round. Right now I have a bunch of boys, no nesting likely with this crew. Last year I had a yard full of babies. How can I have all these babies and not adults? I thought maybe I was stealing the neighborhood babies because of my feeders. I found an old log of 'Lady in the Lamp'. This bird had several broods a summer in a lamp. The condition of the nest would be good since it was well sheltered and so she reused it again and again. It dawned on me that I had returning Mom's last year that probable had multiple broods and everyone stuck around for the summer. All those babies were mine! I just bought a couple more feeders as I am hoping for a crowd this spring. I have no hope of ever finding a nest. I saw one in a garden center at Home Depot. It had caution tape wrapped around the bush is the only reason I saw it. The nest was a tiny little bag thrown over a limb. Mom carefully came in the back way. I am content to see the babies come to the feeders. The wild tail contortions it takes them to navigate tells me how new to the wing they are. Here is a link that might be useful: Lady of the lamp.

There's a certain amount of confusion apparent in this thread, with ball moss (Tillandsia), other epiphytes, and lichens all being conflated. As I've addressed these various items in great detail elsewhere on this board earlier, I won't go through it again, but it does concern me to see so little precision or understanding being applied to situations where control chemicals are being considered. One should always know thy enemy. One final point-the gradual buildup of copper in the soil is ultimately going to be a problem. maybe not immediately, maybe not even for a few years, but it is toxic to plants at a certain point, and it might surprise a few of you how easy it is to get to that point. +oM