Hoya is a plant of the Lastovnev family, and has about 200 varieties. The most common species are: hoya meaty, hoya long-leaf and hoya bella.
Hoya is beautiful - one of the most beautiful and unusual plants. Its homeland is the Pacific Islands, Thailand, Australia and India.
This small shrub, with thin shoots and small leaves, is grown as an ampelous plant.
Characteristic and description
The correct name for this plant is Hoya lanceolata bella. In natural, tropical conditions of growth, it is an epiphyte. For growing at home, it is better to use hanging woven or plastic pots.
Root system Hoya is small and very weak. To prevent the plant from dying, it should only be planted in flat, wide containers of 2-3 germs.
Stems hoya has thin, soft and flexible, grayish-green, with thick interstices and strongly leafy. The shoots are long, falling, not requiring support. Branching stems grow very quickly, forming large floral umbrellas at the ends of shoots.
Leaves rhomboid, pointed, narrow, small (2-4 cm long). The upper side of the leaves is dark green, and the bottom is light, whitish.
Flowers Hoya beautiful is very beautiful. In shape, they resemble small white stars with a purple or pink inner crown. They grow in rounded inflorescences, umbrellas, 7-9 pcs.
Home care
This is a fairly unpretentious plant that does not require special conditions. Caring for him is very simple, but you must follow some rules.
Landing
You can purchase a choyi stalk, root it, and plant it in a prepared container with soil. When planting, drainage is placed on the bottom of the tank, a small layer of substrate is poured, 2-3 cuttings are placed and sprinkle with a small amount of soil. After planting, sprouts do not water for 1-2 days.
Priming
It is very important to make the substrate correctly. You can take the finished orchid soil and add a little sand.
Many growers prefer to prepare the soil from turfy land, peat, sand and compost, in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1. In addition to these ingredients add a little finely chopped bark, moss and charcoal.
Pots
Hoya Bella does not like spacious pots. It should be planted in small, shallow containers so that the roots are barely placed. You can use small plastic pots, with a large number of drainage holes. At the bottom of the tank must be placed a small layer of drainage. Be careful when planting, because the plant is poisonous.
Watering
Water the plant as the soil dries. It is very important to avoid stagnation of fluid in the pan.. In the period of flowering Bella water at least three times a week, and after - only twice a month. Water pre-defend or use rain. The water temperature should be 2-3 degrees higher than room temperature. In winter, watering sharply reduced.
Air humidity
Hoya loves moist air. In the summer, it must be sprayed, preventing water from entering the buds. After this procedure, the leaves carefully wipe.
Light mode
Hoya loves plenty of sunshine. But at noon, in the south window, the plant is slightly pritenyut. In winter, however, hoy need maximum sun.
Temperature conditions
Hoya Bella does not like heat.
The plant does not tolerate drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Fertilizer
Feed hoya in summer but no more than 2-3 times a month. To do this, use a very weak solution of complex mineral fertilizers.
From a large dose of fertilizer plant may die.
Therefore, with dressing should be careful.
Transplant after purchase
Hoya Bella should be replaced immediately after purchase. In the future, transplant it only as needed, but not more often than once every three years.
Breeding
Breed beautiful Hoya cuttings and layering. Stems hoyu propagated in order to obtain flowering in the first year after planting. To do this, on a long shoot make a shallow incision, they wrap it with moss-sphagnum moss, tie it with a thread and cover it with cling film. After the roots appear, the shoot is cut and planted in a separate pot. In one dish placed at least 3 of these rooted shoots.
The easiest breeding option - cuttings. Selected for rooting the stalk should be last year, and have at least two pairs of leaves. In order for him to quickly take the roots, it is cut in the middle of internodes. You can put the cutting in a glass of water or dipped in a special substrate. After 45-50 days sprout roots appear and it can be planted in a permanent place.
Bloom
Hoya blooms in summer 1-2 months after the appearance of peduncles. During this period, the plant can not be rearranged. Flowering begins in May and June, and lasts about 8 days. After that, the inflorescences, together with the flower stalks, fall off, but almost immediately new ones appear. During the flowering period, hoya bella emits a very rich aroma of vanilla, which can cause headaches.
Lifespan hoya is big. It grows slowly and, with proper care, can bloom for a very long time.
Diseases and pests
When over-wetting, hoya may be affected by powdery mildew and root rot. Sometimes attacked by a mealybug, scythophilus and spider mite.
Methods of struggle
To rid the plant from spider mite It is necessary to spray it with Actellic solution (15 drops per liter of water) and increase the humidity in the room.
When the shield appears need to wipe hoi leaves with soapy water. If there are a lot of pests, then treatment with karbofos will help.
From mealybug You can get rid of with garlic or onion infusion.
Treatment methods
To save hoyu from powdery mildew, it is necessary to cut off all the leaves and stems affected by white bloom, replace the top layer of soil and treat the plant with a fungicide preparation.
With the defeat of root rot most often the plant can not be saved. The roots of hoya are weak and die from waterlogging very quickly.
With the right care, grow a beautiful hoyu is not difficult. It can even be inexperienced florist.
If you follow the thermal and light modes, moderate watering and fertilizing, you can ensure the plant a long life and long flowering.
A photo
Then you can see a photo of home care for Hoya Bell, beautiful:
