Among vines, wax ivy takes the lead in popularity. It was named so for its beautiful, glossy flowers, as if cast from wax. The real name of ivy is hoya. Caring for it at home does not require effort or skill. And all the subtleties of growing are described in detail in this article.

An evergreen vine named after the English gardener Thomas Hoy. Belongs to the Lastovnev family. In nature, there are about 200 varieties of plants. Many of them are grown in apartments. The liana was brought to us from India, Australia, and Southern China. In nature, vines twine around tree trunks and encircle rocky slopes.

Curly, hanging varieties are known. Some vines have tendrils on their stems. They use them to hold onto supports. The leaves are monochromatic, speckled, spotted. The shapes are heart-shaped, rounded and twisted. They are located opposite on the stems. The surface of the leaves is smooth, glossy, as if polished with wax. The flowers also seem waxy. For this reason, Hoya was called wax ivy.

As a houseplant, hoya is valued for its flowering. Lianas in apartments usually do not bloom. The flowers are small, collected in umbrella inflorescences. Various colors - yellowish, pink, white. Small flowers resemble stars. Each inflorescence contains more than 20 flowers. With proper lighting and care, adult hoyas bloom long and luxuriantly.

Interesting! Wax ivy- an unpretentious plant. In order for it to grow well and bloom, it is enough to water it systematically. They try not to disturb the flower unnecessarily - they rarely replant it and do not move it from place to place. An adult vine, if supported, can entwine an entire wall.

Popular varieties

At least 200 species of hoya have been discovered and studied. Only a few varieties are grown in apartments.

• Hoya is wonderful. Evergreen low growing shrub. The branches are inclined or hanging, no more than half a meter long. The leaves are small, fleshy, slightly convex. The flowers are white stars with a crimson center.
• Hoya carnosa.
• The most common, popular vine. The shoots are long and woody. The shoots have shiny leaves with a waxy surface. The leaves are up to 8 cm in size. The flowers are pale pink, collected in lush inflorescences of 20 pieces. Some varieties are given a decorative appearance by a creamy edging of flowers or a red core. The more common name of the species is Hoya fleshy. Hoya is majestic.
• The shoots are pubescent, the leaves are oval-oblong with a rounding at the base of the blade. The flowers are dark red. Inflorescences are umbrellas of 6 flowers. Hoya multiflora. Unpretentious, often blooming liana

. Buds appear almost constantly. Interesting! It is believed that some flowers create a favorable environment at home, while others spoil the energy. Is it possible to keep a Hoya at home? All beliefs about her are contradictory. In terms of toxicity and harm to health, hoya is absolutely safe. Although some varieties exude strong aroma

- may cause allergies.

Features of care Liana is unpretentious and does not require attention. But right managed care

• for hoya at home increases the decorativeness of the plant, increases the frequency and duration of flowering.
• Lighting. Favorable conditions - constant bright light. Tolerates moderate amounts of direct sunlight. In summer they shade, in winter they do without shading. They are not placed on the north side - lack of light leads to a lack of flowering.
• Temperature. In summer it is maintained at 20-24°C, in winter - 16°C. Elevated temperatures in winter negatively affect flowering. Some varieties (for example, fleshy hoya) are recommended to be kept at 12-14°C in winter. The room is regularly ventilated, but cold drafts are not allowed to form.
• Watering. Adhere to a moderate watering regime. The top layer of soil must dry out. In autumn, the amount of water is limited and the soil is allowed to dry completely once. Next, water carefully, avoiding over-wetting the substrate. Twice a year it is recommended to bathe the hoya - completely immerse it in a bath of water for half an hour. The water is drawn warm - at least 30-32°C. Humidity. The dry air of apartments does not frighten the vine. IN high humidity blooms better
• The soil. There are no special requirements for the composition of the soil. Under natural conditions it grows on rocky soils. It is allowed to use any ready-made soil for flowering house plants. For water permeability and loosening, the finished mixture is supplemented with coal, pebbles, coarse sand, and crushed sphagnum. Required condition growth - a thick drainage layer at the bottom of the pot.
• Transfer. Young, actively growing vines are replanted annually. As they grow older, the frequency of transplantation is reduced first to 2, then to 3 years.
• Feeding. Contributed only during the period active growth

according to the standard scheme - 2 times a month. Use products for flowering plants. Features of flowering! In spring with an increase daylight hours and temperature, the awakening of the kidneys begins. A plant with buds cannot be rearranged or rotated - this will lead to the buds falling off. It is recommended to tie flower brushes and fix them on a support - they hang down under their own weight. To obtain a thick lush bush

The plant is formed - young branches are pinched after 4 leaves.

Reproduction methods

• Hoya propagation does not cause any particular problems. The seeds germinate quickly and the cuttings take root well. Growing from seeds.
• When purchasing seeds, look at the date of their packaging. Only fresh seeds germinate well. They are sown in a mixture of soil and crushed sphagnum. Shoots appear within a week. Young seedlings are kept warm and stable soil moisture is maintained. The first pick is after 3 months. Propagation by cuttings. Cut short cuttings with two nodes and several leaves. Root in water or substrate. The upper part of the container with water is tightly wrapped in foil and holes are made in it for the cuttings. Removed from cuttings lower leaves , the cut is treated with heteroauxin. The cuttings are placed in water, immersing the lower node in it. For rooting they create favorable conditions

— high air humidity, temperature not higher than 22°C. Roots appear in two weeks. Cuttings are planted immediately, without allowing the roots to grow too long.

Helpful advice! Cuttings sent by mail often look dry. To restore moisture, soak them in sweetened water for several hours.

Diseases and pests	Problem	Cause
Solution	Falling leaves, the appearance of a whitish coating, lack of growth.	Possible spider mite infestation.
In case of minor damage, wipe the leaves with a cotton pad slightly moistened with alcohol. Treat with insecticides.	No flowering elevated temperature in winter, heavy pruning, excessive feeding.	In winter, they provide a period of rest and organize artificial lighting.
The appearance of spots on the leaves	Possible causes: sunburn, watering cold water, frequent application of fertilizers.	Adjust your care regimen
Leaves are brown on the edges	Excess fertilizer, dry soil.	Regular watering, no fertilizing for one and a half months.
Dark spots on young leaves	Natural phenomenon	You don't need to do anything. The dots disappear as the leaf grows.
Leaf deformation	Systematic lack of watering	Provide watering in accordance with the rules
Pale leaves	Insufficient lighting, poor soil	They are fertilized, moved to a well-lit place or artificially illuminated.

– hanging plant, belongs to the genus of evergreen shrubs and lianas.

Also called wax ivy.

Hoya grows in South and Southeast Asia, Polynesia and Australia.

Interesting fact!The plant was named by the Scottish scientist Brown in honor of his friend the English gardener Thomas Hoy, who grew plants in the gardens of the Duke of Northumberland.

Optimal conditions for growing hoya

Location and lighting

Hoya prefers good lighting and can easily tolerate direct sunlight. But in active sunshine, burns may form on the leaves of the vine.

Hoya is best placed on western and eastern windows. If the wall, after all, is located on the south window, then in summer period It is better for the hoya to create diffused light (throw tulle over the window).

Important! Hoya will not be able to bloom on northern windows.

Temperature: summer-winter

In summer, the most optimal temperature for hoya, which is grown in room conditions, it will be 25 degrees Celsius, and in winter – no lower than 16 degrees.

If in winter the temperature exceeds 20 degrees Celsius, then the seasonal flowering of hoya will be thin and insignificant.

Hoya is a moisture-loving plant. The vine is watered abundantly from March to October, but it needs the most active watering in the summer.

As soon as you notice that the soil has dried out, you need to water the plant with settled water. Don’t forget to also care for your hoya: clear the stems and soil under the plant.

From November it is recommended to reduce watering of hoya. In winter, the plant does not require much moisture, so it can be watered 4-5 days after the top layer of soil has dried. The water temperature for irrigation in winter should be lukewarm.

Did you know? If the hoya is rarely watered, then some of the plant's roots die and the growing season begins.

Air humidity

Hoya is not demanding when it comes to moisture. But it won’t hurt to periodically spray the plant in spring and summer.

Important! When spraying hoya, moisture should not get on the flowers.

Fertilizing the soil

During the growing season, Hoya needs to be fed every 2-3 weeks. It is recommended to use a comprehensive mineral fertilizer for hoya. In winter, the plant does not need feeding.

Need to know! Before you start fertilizing the Hoya, you need to replant the plant (for young plants, replanting is needed every year).

Transplant mature plant Hoyas need to be grown every three years. The plant loves slightly acidic or neutral soil (pH 5.5 to 6). It is also recommended to replant every year. young plant(up to 3 years).

Hoya is unpretentious to soil. The best substrate for it will be a mix of clay-turf, greenhouse and leaf soil (2:1:1). The second soil option: clay-turf, leaf soil, sand and peat (2:1:1:1).

When choosing soil, you should also consider the variety of hoya. For example, Hoya the Beautiful loves a mixture of humus, leaf soil, peat, sand and a small part of charcoal.

Important! Hoya needs good drainage when planting and replanting.

Hoya propagation at home

Wax ivy can be propagated at home in three ways: hoya from seeds, cuttings and propagation by layering.

If you become the owner hoya seeds, then they are planted in soil consisting of earth mixture and sphagnum moss. Water generously and after a week, the seeds begin to germinate. Hoya seedlings should remain moist, but not flooded with water. The pot with seeds should be kept in a warm and medium-lit place.

To protect young hoya sprouts from fungal diseases, spray them with a solution of copper-containing preparations. After about 3 months, when the sprouts produce a pair of leaves, transplant them into separate pots.

Interesting fact!It is almost impossible to obtain hoya seeds at home.

The next method of reproduction is hoya cuttings. Considered the most reliable and the easy way plant propagation.

The cuttings you want to plant should be approximately 10 cm long. There should be a couple of leaves and nodes on it. Hoya cuttings can be rooted in both water and soil.

When rooting in water, you will need a small container wrapped in foil. Make holes in the foil for the cuttings. Don't forget to fill the container with water.

Leave a couple of upper leaves on the cuttings, and treat the lower part with a root growth stimulator. Push the cuttings through the holes made in the foil into the container.

When rooting cuttings, the most optimal temperature will be 22 degrees Celsius. At the same time, do not forget that constant humidity is important for cuttings.

To do this, place a bag over the container with the cuttings, leaving an opening for air. Thus, the humidity will be constant, but the cuttings will not suffocate.

Hoya cuttings begin to sprout roots after 2 weeks. It is necessary to plant the rooted shoots in the ground in a permanent place, since growing roots has weakened the stem and the cuttings will become even more fragile.

Also, cuttings can be planted directly into the substrate. The soil should be light so that excess water can flow out freely.

Before planting, cuttings must treat with root. The pot and substrate must be sterilized, since unformed plants are easily susceptible to various diseases and pests.

Among the diversity indoor plants Tropical hoya (waxy) deserves special attention.

Thanks to its decorative qualities, it has long attracted the attention of many flower growers from all over the world.

It surprises with the variety of varieties, types and varieties, of which there are just over fifty and another 430 in botany still have an uncertain status.

general information

Hoya is a genus of tropical evergreen plants of the Lastovniaceae family, named after the English gardener Thomas Hoy, who worked in the greenhouses of the noble Duke of Northumberland.

Plants of this genus differ appearance, origin and color of flowers, but they all have certain similar features. So, all hoyas are characterized quite rapid growth, are endowed with green, pointed, oval-shaped leaves and woody shoots with aerial roots.

Their flowers are fragrant, bisexual, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences located on stem branches.

Can Hoya wax ivy be kept at home: myths and reality

For centuries, people have believed that hoya can bring misfortune to the house in which it is grown. Therefore, many gardeners are afraid to keep it in the apartment.

In our country, other magical properties are also attributed to it.

It is believed that hoya can bring trouble to a married couple and take the husband away from his home to his mistress, and from the young woman unmarried girl she “beats off” suitors from the threshold.

Rich people are not advised to keep hoya, as it is believed that it brings problems in business, ruins the family and leads to poverty.

But there is another opinion. According to Feng Shui, it is useful to place it in the newlyweds’ bedroom, as it can save the marriage, strengthen it and make the union long and happy.

In fact, all these opinions are just superstitions and myths. Everyone decides to believe in them or not. Doctors have their own opinion on this matter. The flowers of many types of wax ivy have a specific and quite strong smell, which may be harmful to people with allergies.

Therefore, before making a purchase, it is better to make sure that you can easily tolerate the aroma of wax ivy.

Main types and varieties

Since this genus has more than 50 species, we will take a look at the most famous and popular of them.

Hoya beautiful or Hoya Bella (Bella)

She is distinguished miniature delicate flowers in the shape of five-pointed stars and collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences of seven or nine pieces. In warm weather, droplets of fragrant nectar appear in their centers.

Bella's homeland is the Southern Province of China and Indonesia. Flowering time is from May to September. Bella's second name is Hoya Bella the Beautiful.

This video shows the flowering of Hoya beautiful:

Hoya Kerry (Kerrii)

Kerry gained popularity thanks to special leaf shape in the form of miniature green hearts. It can often be found in flower shops on the eve of Valentine's Day. “Green Hearts” are sold in beautiful pots and presented as a gift on February 14th.

By the way, thanks to this tradition, Hoya Kerry received a second name among the people - Hoya Valentine.

Hoya carnosa

Refers to climbing succulent ornamental shrubs. It is distinguished by rather large, fleshy, juicy oval-shaped leaves. The flowers are waxy, plump, dense, approximately 1 cm in diameter.

Their color ranges from pale pink to purple. Hoya fleshy as a species is valued by botanists and breeders for its ease of crossing. Thanks to Carnosa, many other varieties have been developed.

Hoya Lacunosa (lacunosa)

Refers to epiphytic, widespread and fast-flowering varieties. In nature, it enters into a symbiotic relationship with ants that settle among its roots. Feature – miniature diamond-shaped leaves with an uneven surface and depressions between the veins.

Thanks to this feature, Lacunosa was popularly called concave.

Hoya Matilde (Mathilde)

A variety bred from Hoya serpens and karnosa. It is distinguished by long curly stems 1.5 mm thick and wide oval leaves covered with silvery specks.

The flowers are fragrant, white with a greenish tint and pale pink corollas. Flowering time is all year round.

Hoya Tricolor (Tricolor)

Other names: Hoya carnosa tricolor, Hoya tricolor. She looks like Carnosa, but differs in the original color of the leaves.

They are creamy white with green edges and pink streaks in the middle. The inflorescences are multi-flowered, lilac-pink.

Hoya Compacta

This type of hoya has small curled leaves.

Although Compacta can often be found on store shelves, presented as a separate species, many gardeners consider it a subspecies of Hoya carnosa.

It was first classified as a separate species by researcher Burton, who discovered that Compacta differs from Hoya carnosa in the special shape of the petals of the inner crown, reminiscent of teardrops.

One way or another, Compacta is very common in home floriculture thanks to unpretentious care and long flowering.

Hoya Obscura (obscura)

The second name is dark. It was found at the beginning of the twentieth century by the botanist and explorer Elmer. It is distinguished by green leaves with pronounced dark veins, a climbing stem and small flowers with pink petals curved back with a dull yellowish center.

Hoya Linearis (linearis)

The second name is linear. A rare representative that grows in the highlands of the Himalayas. Features linear light green foliage. It grows in the form of vines, the length of which can reach six meters.

When flowering, the vine emits a delicate, subtle vanilla scent. It is sometimes compared to the scent of a lily.

Hoya Gracilis (Gracilis)

The second name is Hoya graceful. A powerful vine with oval oblong leaves of a light green color with barely noticeable spots.

2-3 leaves grow on its stems, which create a spectacular dense carpet. The inflorescences are very decorative and consist of 20-25 bright pink star flowers.

Hoya Retusa

It is also called Hoya compressa. Endowed with thin, narrow, elongated leaves growing in clusters, and original white flowers with a bright purple center. Their aroma is similar to the sweet and sour smell of lemon.

Hoya Australis (Australis)

It got its name in honor of the place (the mouth of the Australian River) where it was first found by botanist Joseph Banks in 1770. It is popularly called southern or Australian hoyes.

Australis is endowed with glossy green leaves of various shapes (from elliptical to oval) with pronounced veins. Young shoots may be red in color. The flowers are about 2 cm in diameter, with white corollas, a white crown and a red center, and are fragrant.

Hoya Tsangii

Highlighted in independent species Burton in 1991 in Cloppenburg. Previously found in literature under the names Honeydew and Philippines. An epiphyte native to the Philippine Islands.

Tsangi is distinguished by diamond-shaped, succulent, elliptical leaves with backward-curved plates. Hoya Tsangi flowers are yellow with a red center. Their aroma is similar to butter and honey.

Hoya Obovata

People call it obovate. Endowed with thick, fleshy leaves without visible veins. The umbrellas consist of 20-30 fluffy flowers with soft pink petals and a dark pink inner crown.

The aroma of Obovata is similar to the smell of a rose.

Hoya Imperialis (Imperialis)

An epiphytic liana native to the tropical forests of Malaysia and Thailand. It was first discovered by explorer Esquire in 1846. Endowed with long leafy cylindrical lashes, which natural environment can reach 7-8 meters in height, and have oblong-oval leaves of a rich green color with pronounced veins.

Imperialis flowers are considered the largest and most graceful in the Hoya genus.

Hoya Kurtisii

Synonym: Hoya pruinosa (Snow Hoya). It is a small-leaved epiphyte with clinging aerial roots extending from all nodes.

The leaves are small, with short petioles, thick, diamond-shaped, with pointed tips, rough, and covered with silvery spots. The peduncles are short with convex umbels containing 10-25 large brown flowers.

Hoya Pachyclada

Epiphyte with thick, pubescent, succulent shoots 7-10 cm long and round leaves. The peduncles are miniature, the inflorescences are umbrella-shaped with 20 flowers, which emit a sweet perfumed aroma that attracts insects.

Hoya Lasiantha

Synonym: Woolly-flowered Hoya. Previously known as Plocostemma lasiantha. It grows in northern Indonesia, Malaysia and Borneo.

It is a bushy plant with thin leathery leaves covered with grayish specks. The flowers are bright orange with a purple-red inner side.

Hoya Polyneura

Synonym: Hoya multivein. Decorative fast-growing shrub hoya, very harmoniously complementing the interior. Looks impressive in hanging flowerpots.

Endowed with original diamond-shaped leaves with blue-green veins, reminiscent of the tails of exotic fish. At proper care The flowering period of Polyneura can last throughout the year.

Hoya Meliflua

A liana with long curly vines characterized by very rapid growth. In their natural environment, they can reach over 3-4 meters in length. Therefore, Meliflua especially needs pruning and correct formation when grown at home.

The leaves are succulent, glossy, varying in size, with pronounced veins. The flowers are pink and have a strong scent.

Elliptica

Enough rare representative, native to the Philippines and Indonesia. Sometimes found in private collections of flower growers. It’s a pity, because she is considered one of the attractive ones in the Hoya family.

Elliptic is endowed with original leaves with rounded tips and beautiful veins, due to which Elliptic looks very aesthetically pleasing. The aroma of flowers is not strong, it is more noticeable in the evening.

Hoya Globulosa (Globulosa)

Synonyms: Hoya villosa, Hoya spherical. It is distinguished by large pubescent leaves, curly woody stems, elongated pedicels and large spherical umbrellas with yellow-white petals with a diameter of 1.2 cm.

Hoya Caudata

Synonyms: H. crassifolia, H. flagellata. climbing vine with dense ovate leaves up to 9-14 cm long. Caudata has beautiful miniature pale pink petals.

Takes root well at home and with proper care can bloom throughout the year.

In this video, a plant lover shows and talks about different types hoi that grow at home: Attention!

If the transplant is carried out into an old pot, you must first rinse it thoroughly and disinfect it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Lighting

Hoya loves good lighting, but does not tolerate direct sunlight.

Western and eastern windows are best suited for growing it.

Temperature

In the warm season, the room temperature should be +20 +25 degrees, and in late autumn and winter +13 +16 degrees.

The humidity in the room should be moderate. Watering is carried out as the top layer of soil dries. As a rule, water more often in summer and less often in winter, about once every 2-3 weeks.

Top dressing

Fertilizing is applied only in the spring and summer. A universal complex mineral fertilizer is suitable for these purposes.

Note! After replanting, you don’t need to add fertilizing to the new substrate, because it already contains a sufficient amount of useful substances. Care should be taken with fertilizers. Follow the rule - it is better to underfeed than to overfeed!

Hoya: reproduction

The question: how to root hoya, as a rule, does not arise before the gardener.

The simplest and most common propagation method is cuttings.

In this case, old (last year's) shoots, cut in spring or autumn, are used. The cuttings take root in the internodes, so they are cut 2-3 cm below the leaf node. Root in substrate or sand.

Helpful advice! Cuttings sent by mail often look dry. To restore moisture, soak them in sweetened water for several hours.

Usually, if proper care is taken, gardeners do not have problems with growing hoya. If neglected, it can become a target for pests or diseases.

Common mistakes in care

The main mistakes that flower growers make include:

• Frequent, deep watering. At the same time, many gardeners forget that an excess of moisture in some cases is even more dangerous than its lack. Such watering can lead to the appearance of rot, which leads to death.
• Too much sunshine A. The second no less common mistake. It is believed that indoor plants should receive as much sunlight as possible in order to feel comfortable. As a result, the pot is placed on an open window, left in direct sunlight, and the result is sun-burnt leaves.

Remember, no matter what type you prefer, the main thing is to give it your warmth and care. With proper care, even the most capricious type of hoya will delight gardeners for many years!

Landing Hoya produced by seeds, which can be purchased or independently extracted from the seed pod and dried slightly before planting. Since the ability to germinate in seeds is lost over time, when purchasing, you should pay attention to the period of seed production. Planting is carried out in specially prepared loose soil. Usually, to prepare soil for hoya, take two parts of leaf soil and one part each of humus, peat, sand and turf soil.

The container with the planted seeds is covered with glass or placed in plastic bag, creating greenhouse conditions with constant temperature and high humidity. It is necessary to ensure that the soil in the container does not dry out and do not forget about daily ventilation for 10-15 minutes. Seeds usually germinate within a week. After two to three weeks, the glass or bag is removed, but young plants are planted in separate pots only after 80-90 days, when the sprouts have formed a good root system and the flower will produce several pairs of leaves.

Location and lighting

Depending on the type of plant, the lighting requirements for the room for growing hoya are also different. For example, one of the most common types of hoya, carnosa, feels great in a shaded room, although the plant may not bloom in such conditions. But variegated hoyas require good lighting. Therefore, the windows of the north-facing room will be too dark for this plant. Additional lighting of the plant with fluorescent lamps is necessary. But on the south side, Hoya will feel more than comfortable.

This plant can withstand direct sunlight for a short time, but if it is exposed to it for a long time, it is best to shade the plant. All other sides will be fine, without any restrictions or additional lighting. Hoya tolerates day and night temperature changes well, so in the summer, a pot with a plant can be placed on a balcony or terrace, excluding exposure to direct sunlight, and “forget” about it until the fall. Of course, no one cancels watering. If the plant is frequently rearranged, it is unlikely to bloom, and if it is rearranged after the buds appear, they may even fall off.

Pot size

The hoya pot needs to be small so that the root system fills all the available space. In this case, the plant will delight you with long and abundant flowering. If you want the plant to gain more green mass, in this case you should choose a looser pot. There are no restrictions on the material of the cookware. In a plastic pot, the plant can be watered a little less often, since moisture will not evaporate through its walls. But a clay pot is more stable, but moisture will evaporate through its porous walls. Watering the plant will be more frequent, and the walls of the pot will be streaked with constantly evaporating moisture. As an alternative, a clay pot coated with ceramic glaze is suitable, which will ensure the walls are sealed. The only mandatory requirement for a Hoya pot is the presence of good drainage holes, through which excess moisture will go into the tray, preventing rotting of the root system. For exotic materials, hoyas can be planted in hanging pots made from woven bamboo.

The soil

The composition of the soil for planting this plant may be different, but one requirement must be met - it must be breathable so that the hoya roots can breathe. For young plants, they usually take turf and leaf soil, peat, sand and humus in a ratio of 1:2:1:1:1. For adult plants, you can take a mixture consisting of equal parts of peat, perlite, tree bark and coconut fiber. Drainage must be placed at the bottom of the pot, which is usually used as expanded clay, river pebbles or small pieces of ceramic brick.

Transfer

Hoya at a young age is transplanted annually, and at a mature age it is transplanted once every two to three years. When replanting, all soil and drainage must be steamed in order to destroy all possible pest larvae and eggs present there.

Fertilizers and fertilizing

The plant is regularly, once every two weeks, fed with nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing fertilizers. They begin to fertilize at the end of the dormant period. Fertilizers are applied in liquid form after watering the plant so that the root system does not burn.

Watering

Hoya must be watered following certain requirements. One of the main requirements when watering is to avoid excess moisture. Since the root system of Hoya is breathable, it is therefore planted in loose soil and watered only when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Usually, in hot summers, Hoya is watered about three times a week, and in winter, the frequency of watering is reduced by half. Ideal for irrigating the soil would be rain or melt water heated to room temperature. If it is impossible to provide irrigation with such water, take ordinary tap water, let it sit for several days and soften it.

Temperature

Hoya, as a tropical plant, loves warmth. A comfortable temperature for hoya in the spring and summer months is from 22 to 25 degrees. But even higher values, up to 35-40 degrees, will not destroy the plant, you just need to maintain a humidity regime that corresponds to the temperature. In winter, Hoya should be kept at a temperature of at least 18 degrees. True, some plant varieties can overwinter at 12-15 degrees, briefly withstanding a decrease to 9 - 10 degrees. If hoya is not kept at a lower temperature in winter, then later it will not please you with abundant flowering.

Humidity

At temperatures that are not too high, up to 20 degrees, hoya does not have any special requirements for humidity conditions. As temperatures rise, the plant requires regular spraying. For irrigation, use the same water as for irrigation, rain or settled and softened, otherwise the leaves of the plant become stained. For sanitary purposes, to remove dust, once a week the leaves of the plant must be wiped with a damp cloth, which will once again increase the humidity. You can turn on a humidifier in your room for several hours a day.

Trimming

Formative pruning of plants is carried out as the shoots grow. The intensity of flowering is also affected by the length of the shoots; the longer they are, the less the plant blooms. To give it a bushy shape, hoya shoots are pinched after the fourth or fifth leaf.

Pests and diseases

Like any other plant, hoya as a result improper care prone to various kinds of diseases and damage by insect pests. The result of a lack nutrients growth slows down or completely stops, and the foliage of the plant changes color to pale green. It is necessary to replant the flower and replace the soil. Spots on the leaves, their curling and drying out indicate an excess of light and the influence of direct sunlight. In this case, it is necessary to either shade the plant or change the location.

Leaf spots can also appear as a result of watering the plant with too cold water.

As a result of too frequent movement or when the hoya is exposed to hot and dry air, it may shed flower buds, as well as the flowers themselves. The situation will be corrected by maintaining a high humidity regime and installing the plant in a permanent place. If the hoya does not bloom long time, it means that there is not enough lighting or the plant overwintered in too warm conditions. You can try installing additional lighting using fluorescent lamps, as well as taking a stimulating warm shower.

The plant can also be affected by mold. There are several reasons for this: firstly, it may simply have been overwatered, and secondly, the watering was done with too hard water. For treatment, simply reduce the intensity of watering and soften the water. If the soil is covered with mold, then replanting the plant and completely replacing the soil can radically solve the problem. When transplanting, the pot is disinfected with a solution of vinegar and water.

If the foliage is covered with a white coating, this indicates that the plant is infected with powdery mildew. If measures are not taken to eliminate it, it spreads to the stems and flower buds. To correct the preconditions for the appearance powdery mildew Good ventilation of the room should be ensured and humidity should be increased. If a plant is infected by a nematode, it gradually dies; in this case, the soil should be thrown away and the pot should be steamed. Insect pests, such as spider mites and scale insects, can be combated using traditional methods using various infusions, as well as using chemicals. When working with insecticides, you need to remember their toxicity and the need to use personal protective equipment.

Bloom

This plant blooms almost all summer. Hoya flowers have a variety of colors; they can be white, yellow, red, and pink. The flowers are collected in inflorescences and hang in neat baskets. After flowering ends, do not touch the flower stalks, because new inflorescences will form on them not the next season. The more proper care is taken, the more abundantly the hoya blooms. It is not recommended to move the plant during the formation of buds, as the buds may fall off.

Reproduction

Hoya is most often propagated by cuttings. The tops of young, healthy shoots, about 10 cm long, are taken as cuttings. There should be a pair of leaves on the cuttings. Rooting of cuttings can be done in different ways: in water, in wet sand or in specially prepared soil. To root in the soil, before planting, the cuttings are placed for some time in a solution with phytohormones, and then planted in the ground. The container with planted cuttings is covered with a glass flask or placed in a plastic bag, and kept at a temperature ranging from 18 to 24 degrees. This gives the greenhouse effect of constant temperature and high humidity, which speeds up the rooting process. After new leaves appear on the stems, they are picked into separate cups or pots. When rooting in water, the process can be controlled visually, and after the roots appear, you can also plant the cuttings in pots.

When propagating by layering, some of the leaves are removed from the lower shoots, the shoot is tilted and sprinkled with earth. The plant is cared for without changes, and after some time the cuttings take root. Using a sharp sterilized knife, the rooted cuttings are separated from the mother plant and planted in a separate pot with special sterilized soil.

Rest period

During the dormant period, hoya slows down its growth. This is due to a decrease in the temperature of the plant, a reduction in watering and a cessation of fertilization. If you properly organize the maintenance of the plant during the dormant period, hoya will delight you with abundant flowering in the near future.

Toxicity of the plant / beneficial properties

Hoya is a plant that is not just decorative decoration any garden or windowsill, it also has medicinal properties. This plant has a calming effect on the nervous system and accordingly improves mood. For headaches, hoya leaves are applied to the temples with a bandage for 25-30 minutes.

To treat cabuncles and boils, three hoya leaves are crushed, placed on a bandage and tied to the affected area. Change the bandage at least three times a day. When improvement occurs, the bandage is changed less frequently. Purulent acne is treated with a mixture of hoya leaves and oatmeal. Three hoya leaves must be ground and mixed with soaked in 60 ml of water oatmeal. Ready mixture Apply to the affected area for 10 minutes, then rinse off warm water. The frequency of application of the medicinal mixture is about 3 – 4 times a day. Treatment is continued for 14 days.

Hoya, hoya (Hoya), wax ivy is an evergreen from the family of swallowtails (Asclepiadaceae). The genus Hoya, named after the English gardener Thomas Hoy, has about 200 species. IN natural conditions Khoya is found in Southern China, Australia, and India. In nature, these vines spread on rocky slopes and in forests on tree trunks.

Among them there are hanging and curly ones; some species have antennae with which they cling to support. The leaves are oval and heart-shaped, in most species they are dark green, but there are also two or three colors, with spots and specks. Hoya compacta (Hoya compacta) has curled leaves.

At home, one species is most often found - Hoya carnosa. This is a hanging plant with shoots up to 6-7 meters long.

Hoya's dark green, leathery leaves are arranged oppositely. The surface of the leaf blade appears glossy, as if rubbed with wax, which is why the plant is called wax ivy.

Hoya is one of the few climbing indoor plants that bloom at home. Its flowers are graceful, white, pink, yellowish stars, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Khoya has a fleshy corolla white with a red center and there are about 24 flowers in an inflorescence.

Hoya carnosa

Hoya compacta

Mature plants at good lighting and proper care they bloom for a very long time and profusely.

An east or west window is suitable for hoya in an apartment; it grows well in winter on a south window. In the summer heat, leaves on sunny windows may lighten and dry out, and plant growth may slow down due to overheating.

Wax ivy, as is often used for vertical gardening offices and apartments. Also used as a creeping ground cover plant in well-lit areas of the winter garden.

Hoya is an unpretentious plant: if you don’t think about it often, don’t move it from place to place, water it and replant it rarely, then it will delight you with long and abundant flowering. This is why wax ivy can often be found in office premises, sometimes this vine entwines the entire wall with its shoots.

Hoya imperialis

Much less common in homes are species such as Hoya imperialis, Hoya bella and Hoya longifolia, although they are not particularly capricious and caring for them does not require any special knowledge.

Hoya beautiful (Hoya bella) is a small evergreen, branched shrub with small leaves with hanging shoots up to 30-50 cm long. This is an epiphytic plant; it settles on the branches of tropical trees. Requires very moderate lighting high humidity and uniform temperature throughout the year.

Hoya majestic (Hoya imperialis) has pubescent creeping shoots, its oval leathery leaves are up to 15-20 cm long. The flowers are collected in hanging umbels on pubescent short stalks, dark red, yellow on the outside, with a pleasant aroma.

Hoya longifolia

Hoya curtisii

Hoya longifolia is a climbing vine with fleshy, dense, elongated leaves. The flowers are pubescent, pure white. Grows in highlands and likes cool conditions.

General rules for caring for wax ivy.

Hoya is not a capricious plant, does not require high humidity and frequent watering, grows well in poor soil, and does not need frequent replanting.

Temperature. During the period of active growth, the optimal temperature is 17-25 C. In winter, 15 degrees is quite enough. Hoya can spend the whole winter even at 10 C. Hoya beautiful is more thermophilic and can lose leaves during a cold winter.

Lighting and location. Wax ivy prefers bright light, but does not like direct sunlight in the summer. It grows well in a southern room, twining around the walls like an hanging plant.

The location cannot be changed - due to rearrangement, the hoya may lose all its buds and even shed its leaves. This is a plant permanent place, therefore not suitable for summer gardening of balconies.

Humidity. Humidity is not significant. Only Hoya beautiful grows better in a humid room. In summer, it is advisable to spray hoya.

Watering. Watering moderately, after the soil dries, in winter time scarce. The plant tolerates lack of moisture well. For good flowering In winter there is little watering.

Fertilizer. Fertilizer is applied 2 times a month throughout growing season, starting in March. In winter they do not feed.

Bloom. Hoya blooms only in good light. For successful flowering, it is important to properly maintain this plant in winter. Wax ivy should grow in winter in a bright and cool (10-15 C) room; water it very little.

To stimulate flowering, the pot is immersed in warm water for 2 hours, and the entire plant is sprayed with water heated to 30-40 C.

After flowering, the flower stalks are not cut off - the next year new inflorescences appear on them.

The soil. Hoya is not picky about soil; in nature it grows on rocky screes or on trees. It grows well in almost any soil; you can prepare a mixture of leaf, turf soil, humus, peat and sand in equal quantities or from clay-turf, leaf and greenhouse soil (2:1:1).

Good drainage is installed at the bottom of the pot so that the earthen ball does not become waterlogged and the roots do not rot.

Transfer. All hoyas are replanted quite rarely, once every 2-3 years, sometimes less often. For stimulation abundant flowering, the dishes are used tight. To achieve good growth It is better to choose a larger pot for shoots.

Be sure to have a hole in the bottom and good drainage.

Reproduction. Hoya propagates by seeds, layering, but most often by cuttings.

Each cutting must have at least two pairs of leaves. Cut the cuttings between the nodes. Hoya cuttings take root in water or in a mixture of peat and sand. The roots appear after 3-4 weeks at a temperature of at least 20 C.

Stem layering allows you to get flowering plant per year of planting. To do this, make a small incision on the shoot of an old plant, cover it with damp moss and cover it with plastic film. When the roots appear, this part of the shoot with roots is cut off and planted in a pot. You can spread part of the stem on the soil in a new pot and secure it to the surface, covering it with damp moss. After rooting, separate from the mother plant.

For propagation, it is recommended to take parts of only mature, already flowering plants.

Crown formation.

For branching, plants are pinched after the formation of the 4th leaf. Shoots that are too long are cut off, which promotes intense flowering. The stems need support. Threads are often used to secure the plant to a window or wall.

You can use a ring of wire, the ends of which are simply placed in the pot. The pot should be heavy enough to prevent the plant from tipping over.

Diseases and pests. All common types of hoya are resistant to pests and diseases, but poor care(Very heat, too dry air) can be affected by scale insects, red spider mites. It is necessary to treat the plant with Actellik or another insecticide.

Hoyas are also affected by root nematodes. The soil for replanting must be steamed.

Possible problems.

Leaves fall off - excessive moisture or simply moved the plant to another window. “Leaf fall” also occurs when the soil is very cool in winter (for example, standing on a cold window or watering with cold water in the summer heat).

Spots on the leaves - lack of light or, conversely, sunburn.

Hoya does not bloom - insufficient lighting or too warm wintering. You can try a warm shower for stimulation.

The leaves are too light, curl or dry out - the sun is too bright, it is better to shade the plant.

Flower buds and flowers fall off - plant movement or very dry and hot air.

Slow growth, leaves turn pale green - lack of nutrients in the soil. The plant needs to be replanted.