TLDR Got this orphaned Hoya and would like to care for it and root its clippings. How would you do it?
Came across two star-crossed Hoyas at an estate sale. They were hopelessly wound together, entangled in the blinds, climbing up wires, woven into plant stands. The guy handed me a pair of scissors and told me $15 for one if I could get them untangled.
When I got her home and sorted, about half the bulk was clipped vines. Iād love to root them, retaining as much length as possible. However, Iām afraid the plant is stressed and maybe dehydrated? None of the cuts or other damage have bled the characteristic milky white latex.
Iām relatively new to Hoyas- I have one rooted from a small piece of my grandmothers. That one I plopped in water with pothos cuttings until there were roots enough to transfer to well aerated soil mix. Took about a month.
Is it always that easy? Should I do smaller cuttings and be patient? Are there rooting hormone, rooting substrate, fertilizer, or other special methods/products that help?
Iām assuming it (they) are a carnosa? Any tips and advice on rooting and care are welcome and appreciated.
by yup–
2 Comments
That carnosa is gonna bleed *clear*. All carnosa varieties do!
To root the clippings, cut them into lengths of 4ish nodes, clipping off the leaves from the bottom node to stick in water. You can try to root longer strands, but they dont always like it. However, this is an old school carnosa and she looks super duper healthy. Your thought about dehydration might track a bit, cuz I bet that mama has been on the same pot for years, maybe decades. Which is ok! Do a good soak for the mama and let her acclimate before you think about repotting, which might not even be necessary.
What an amazing find