Hoya cumingiana - Bush hoya is found growing in limestone cliffs (or places rich in lime) in Luzon, Mindoro, Ticao, Palawan at 0-2000m a.s.l.
Hoya cumingiana, also called as Bush hoya, is a species of the genus Hoya. This species was described by Joseph Decaisne in 1844. It was named after Hugh Cuming who collected the first samples from the Philippines.
IDENTIFY HOYA CUMINGIANA - BUSH HOYA
Hoya cumingiana is native to Borneo, Jawa, Philippines. It is found growing in limestone cliffs (or places rich in lime) in Luzon (Benguet, Bontoc, Bataan, Rizal, Camarines), Mindoro, Ticao, Palawan at elevations of 0-2000 meters above sea level.
It is a vining epiphytic plant which reaching over 1-2 meters tall in cultivation with upward twining or pendulous stems. The small and green leaves are closely arranged on the stem, ovate cordate, smooth above, somewhat velvety below. It has a bushy type of growth and its leafy branches become long and pendant unless it finds support from other nearby plants or other surfaces.
Bush hoya blooms in spring to late summer from the umbel type, 5-20 flowered inflorescence that arising from the axils of the leaves and stem. The flowers are star-shaped, and are borne in clusters that look like they are made of wax. The flower's surface has a smooth appearance without the tiny hairs seen in many other Hoya. They are heavily scented with a cinnamon fragrance, mature gradually (2 to 3 weeks) on the same peduncle. The scent is strongest in the early evening.
HOYA CUMINGIANA - BUSH HOYA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Hoya cumingiana grow best in medium to bright indirect light with light level of 10000-20000 lux. While it is tolerant of lower light conditions, you may notice leggy growth as a result. It can withstand 3 hours of direct sunlight but the plant should avoid to get too much direct sun because the leaves will burn. Dappled sunlight is ideal.
Temperature:
Bush hoya can grow in USDA zone 11-13. It prefers average to warm temperatures of 18-29 °C. Do not expose the plant to temperatures below 15 °C even for a short time because cold air will damage the foliage. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Humididty:
Hoya cumingiana grow best with the humidity level of 50% - 60%. It will thrive in almost any environment, but if you want to give it a special treat, gently mist it once a week. It's best to mist your plant in the morning so the water has plenty of time to evaporate before evening.
Substrate and growing media:
Bush hoya need a well-aerated, quick-draining potting soil that dries out quickly. It thrive in moist soils with high organic matter and grow best when provided with a mossy post or burlap wrapped pole to climb. If given a trellis, it will climb and its leaves will become bigger and more fenestrated.
You can use a blend of large-chunk orchid bark, coarse-grade perlite, and peatmoss at equal ratios; and then add about 10% charcoal which helps remove toxicities that can build up (over many months) in the potting mix. Re-pot at least every other year.
Watering:
Water the plant once weekly. Allow the potting mix to dry out before watering. Water more frequently during warmer months and growth season. Do not overwater or keep the soil wet for too long, as this will encourage root rot. If the leaves are yellowing due to overwatering, skip a week or two of watering.
Fertilizer:
Feed the plant between every two weeks or once per month during their growing season with a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. In the late fall and winter, when growth has slowed down, and the plant is dormant, do not fertilize your plant. Too much fertilizer can burn the foliage of your plant. Before applying fertilizer in any form, make sure the soil is damp.
Pruning:
Hoya cumingiana can get really big and out of control once it enters the mature stage. Prune lightly in the spring season or after the flowering cycle is complete, when you feel it’s growing heavily. Pruning is necessary for this plant to maintain a bushy but neat appearance. You should also trim the foliage if the plant has diseases or fungal infections to get rid of the damaged parts from the plant. Avoid removing the peduncles while pruning because that’s where the flowers will appear in the next blooming season.
Pests and diseases:
Bush hoya are affected by four main garden pests: aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites and scale insects. These are easily controlled by systemic insecticides, unless you are opposed to their use. Many control them with rubbing alcohol sprayed onto the plant in a diluted form (water) added to this is soap to make it "stick". Spray this mix onto the plant in the cool of the afternoon when the sun has lost its bite. When using chemical sprays follow the instructions on the label explicitly even so-called harmless sprays have powerful effects on the human body.
Propagation:
Hoya cumingiana is easy to propagate by take cuttings that have two nodes. A node is a place where the leaves emerge from the stem. Make sure you use sterilized cutters or shears. Make the cut without damaging any healthy leaves on the plant. Dip the end of cutting in the rooting hormone, although this is optional. Rooting hormones have anti-fungal properties and help the cut callus quickly. Either place them in a vase with water or into a jar with moist sphagnum moss or directly into soil. Check on them every few weeks. Once the roots establish, transfer it to a good potting mixture.
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