Question
Hi-I have had a hoya plant for approx 4 years.  Not sure what species.  Last repotted from a 3" pot into a 5" pot about 2 years ago I think.  I am from Oregon, it did well in the lighted house that I had there, moved to Montana last year and had the plant in my kitchen sink window and IT LOVED IT!  It grew rapidly from my measly 10 leaves to about 35-40 leaves (it's been a slow growing hoya) in a very short time.  I now live in Minnesota (for almost a year now and haven't moved the plant since we've been here) and don't have the best light in my house.  I also have cats that try to eat my plants so I have to find spots that they can't get to it at. It gets indirect light most of the day.  About a week ago, I noticed yellow and brown shriveled leaves on the oldest leaves and some just falling off.  I only water it every 1 1/2 to 2 weeks to allow it to dry out in between watering.  It needed watering so I took and gave it a good bath in the sink and noticed the water going right through the soil, so I tried to disturb the soil so that it would keep some of the moisture in.  Then I placed it in a room that gets a lot of great light, some direct and some indirect for about 12 hours of the day. (don't keep it in there because the cats can get to it, so I kept the door closed!) Kept it there for 3 days, it's not better and it's getting worse.  I'm down to about  15 leaves and am about to cry!!  A friend worked for a year to get it started for me and it means a lot to me.  First- do you have any ideas as to how I can save it?  2nd-how do I cut the little bit that's healthy and start it?  I think the main stem is dead, it's squishy and is looking kind of shriveled.  There are only a few leaves left that look and feel good.  Help!!!

Answer
Hi Clarissa,

Hoyas need lots of sunlight, including some direct sun every day. They also do not like soil that is kept constantly moist and must dry out quite thoroughly in between waterings.

It sounds like the roots of your Hoya have deteriorated badly, probably due to soil that was too moist or inadequate light.

If water runs right through the soil and out of the pot that is either because the soil is already saturated or because it is so dried out that the water runs around the outside of the rootball without being absorbed. In either condition persists for long, the roots will die.

Once the roots start to decline it is very difficult to get a Hoya to recover. Cut off the end of the stem so that it has about 4-6 leaves. Insert the cut stem into a small pot filled with half peat moss and half perlite. Cover it with a clear plastic bag with small holes in it. Water it whenever the top half inch feels dry. It will take about a month for new roots to begin to develop at which time you can remove the plastic. Move it to a sunny location and keep it in the small pot as long as possible.

Look for signs of new growth on the remaining stem in the original pot. If there is none in 3 to 4 weeks, then discard it.


Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please take the time to give me a rating and nomination.

   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

Visit my web site at www.HorticulturalHelp.com

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.