Hoya Cumingiana Care: Hoyas are known as wax Flower and Wax Plant. This is my favorite Genus of plants because it is easy to cultivate and propagate and will reward the gardener with fragrant exotic flowers.
This epiphytic plant will effortlessly extract water and nutrients out of the atmosphere. In this way, they can manage their own needs with minimal effort on your part.
Make sure you keep a regular watering schedule for Hoya Cumingiana during its growth. Let the soil become dry between waterings to stop root rot.
The plant requires direct but bright light and good drainage and soil to ensure good growth.
This species is related to Hoya Bella and comes from Indonesia and the Philippines. There are other names for it, such as Bush Hoya or Porcelain Flower, which is part of the Apocynaceae family of plants.
The leaves of the plant are tiny and succulent. They develop tight and compactly because the internodes are short, giving the plant a bushy appearance.
The vibrant flowers provide a stunning contrast to the green, waxy leaves.
Hugh Cuming collected the first specimens for this particular plant at Philipinnes, and, as a result, Cumingiana is named in his honor. This unique plant prefers to grow in an upright manner. Read on to learn more about this unusual Hoya.
Essential Plant Care for Hoya Cumingiana
Table of Contents
Soil
Hoyas love their soils to dry out. Therefore, proper air circulation is also essential for this species. Another essential requirement is good drainage, so choose the right mixture for drainage. Soggy or excessively wet soil could cause a catastrophe such as the death of your precious Hoya.
You can easily make your mix by mixing these ingredients equally:
- Cactus Mix
- Perlite
- Orchid Mix
It’s possible to cultivate it in a loamy mix that includes charcoal leaves, bark, leaf mold and sand, all in equal amounts. Hoya Cumingiana thrives in alkaline soils, so you should keep the soil’s pH at 7.5-9. It is possible to add crushed oyster shells or eggshells to reduce your pH in the mix of potting.
Outdoor planting is recommended. USDA zones 10 and 11, 11, 12, and 10 are the most suitable for this type of plant.
Hoya Cumingiana Watering
The needs for each plant’s watering are different according to the temperature and other environmental factors. But, you can use the level of soil’s moisture as a reference to determine whether your plant needs water. Hoya Cumingiana needs to be kept hydrated when the soil feels dry. It should be at least 80% of the dirt is completely dry.
While watering, let the water soak into the soil thoroughly. Be sure to drain the excess water. Without this water, you increase the risk of fungus and illnesses, particularly root rot.
If your Hoya suddenly begins dropping leaves, you could be providing your plant with more water than it needs. If this happens, don’t be concerned and allow the plant to dry out.
I alter my plant’s watering plan based on its behavior since there isn’t a fixed schedule of watering that can be used throughout the year.
Leaves of the Hoya are also succulent and like being in the middle of the dry side. This means that you do not need to fret about watering the plant.
In general, it is the case that in summer, the soil is dry, and in winter, it is only necessary to dampen the soil.
The plant is water-wise and has no needs insofar as it’s not overwatered.
Light
The one I have is a Hoya Cumingiana inside an east-facing location. It is possible to choose any spot which receives indirect, bright sunlight. The plant is not opposed to being in the sun, and 50-70% sunlight is ideal for its growth.
Outside, it should be planted in light shade or filtered sunshine. Shade cloths or nets are used to block the intense sunlight.
Direct sunlight is not recommended for this plant. However, some light in the early or later afternoon sun can make the Cumingiana bloom more effectively. A higher light level is generally conducive to more flowers in Hoya plants.
Temperature
The plant isn’t hardy to winter or frost as the leaves can wither and die when exposed to freezing temperatures. The minimum temperature required for the plant is 50° F.
On average, they prefer temperatures that range from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
To reduce temperatures fluctuating, don’t put it in direct contact with or near heating or air conditioning units. It would help if you also stayed clear of draughty doors and windows.
Hoya Cumingiana Humidity
Hoya Cumingiana needs moderate to high levels of humidity. However, it is tolerant of low levels of humidity. I keep mine in 70-90 percent indoor humidity. There’s no need to think about humidity levels for this plant because it’s not fussy about any of this.
If you’d like to give your plant more attention, increase the humidity levels by one of these methods:
- The spray bottles should be filled up with the water that has been filtered. Make use of this to mist the plant every once a time.
- Place a few pebbles into the small saucer or tray. Pour in water to a couple of inches. The water shouldn’t reach the soil’s bottom. Otherwise, the roots will begin to rot as the water evaporates the humidity of the air increases.
- Put your plants in groups.
- Get a humidifier for a simple way to keep track of and regulate the interior humidity. This is an excellent option for those who want to increase the humidity levels of several plants.
Hoya Cumingiana Fertilizer
When your Hoya Cumingiana is beginning to bloom, feed it with a fluid fertilizer each 2 to four weeks. Applying organic orchid food to help this species is possible, as organic ingredients are gentle for plants.
I suggest applying a fertilizer rich in phosphorus, as it will aid your plant in having more blooms.
It is possible to feed the plant regularly during the growing seasons.
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Repotting
The plant needs to be replaced every two years, but at a minimum, the soil should be refreshed each year. Make sure to prepare a coarse, well-draining mix before repotting. It is recommended to refer to the soil section for more information about the soil types.
Repotting creates more room for the growth of roots within the Cumingiana plant.
Hoya Cumingiana Pruning
This aggressive Hoya can grow to be quite large and out of hand once it matures. Trimming this plant during the springtime when you notice it’s growing rapidly is recommended.
Pruning is required for this plant to keep a neat and bushy appearance. You must also reduce the height of the leaves if the plant is suffering from diseases or fungal diseases to remove damaged parts of the plant.
Do not remove the peduncles during pruning, as that’s where flowers will bloom during the following blooming season.
Hoya Cumingiana Propagation
Three types of rooting mediums are covered below, along with the following steps.
Soil Propagation
- Cut stems of Hoya cumingiana, with at minimum two nodes. It is the first thing to locate the node. This is the place where leaves emerge from the cutting. Choose unmatured vine leaves. Make an inclined cut beneath the node.
- You may make more than one cut to propagate. Be sure to use the cutting tools that are sterilized. Cut the plant without damaging or destroying any leaves that are healthy on the plants.
- The cut’s end should be submerged into the rooting hormone. However, this is not required. Rooting hormones are anti-fungal and can help heal the cut to heal quickly.
- If you wish to plant the cutting in soil, set it aside in moist sphagnum moss. Make sure to check the cutting every couple of weeks for growth.
- When the root system appears established, move the cut to the potting mix discussed in the section on the soil.
Water Propagation
- Follow the steps above to harvest cuttings, but you can place the cut in water rather than soil.
- Propagating water is simple and easy, but it is important to change it frequently, at least every 2 to 3 days. The stagnant water is a source of the activity of bacteria, which causes root rot and a lack of oxygen.
- Never immerse the leaves in water. Only the node must be submerged. If your cutting is soiled with leaves on the lower part, remove them.
- Set the water container in a warm, well-lit area. To increase the warmth, think about installing bottom mats for heating. Roots will start to emerge within a maximum of one month.
- After establishing, move the cut to a suitable potting mix. You can follow the recipe described in the soil section of this article.
Perlite Propagation
- This method requires much space compared to other methods; however, it’s extremely effective in Hoya propagation. Perlite is a non-toxic material that permits ample airflow. This helps to prevent root rot.
- Use a container made of plastic or a tray. Fill it up with perlite up to one inch. Add water and allow the perlite to soak for about a few minutes. Remove the excess water so that the perlite is slightly damp.
- Place the stems in perlite, but don’t bury the leaves.
- Make a few holes into an empty plastic bag and use it to protect the container. This will allow humidity to be trapped.
- The container should be placed in a bright spot far from direct sunlight. The temperature must also be comfortable.
- When the roots are established, transfer them to a well-mixed potting mix.
Blooms
This Hoya creates flowers at the ends of branches. Therefore the more branches you have, the more likely your flowering plant will blossom. Like many species, this also blooms on spurs.
Through the summer, the Hoya will be adorned with flowers that smell sweet and star-shaped. The flowers are light yellow with purple and maroon coronas. As the flowers get older, they become golden yellow. The flowers are silky smooth, without tiny hairs, which can be observed on other Hoyas.
Flowers smell more appealing in the evening. The scent reminds the scent of exotic fruits.
The scent is said to resemble the scent of a spice cake. The flowers are in clusters or umbels comprising 5-20 blooms per.
The plant can take between 3 and 4 weeks to mature from when the peduncles appear.
Growth
This plant has a distinct growth pattern. At first, it will grow in a straight line, but then it begins expanding over. This may seem like a tiny plant; however, once it begins growing, it will become massive.
The growth structure makes this Hoya a hybrid between an upright plant and a hanging plant. The fleshy leaves fall between oval and round in form.
The foliage of the evergreen plant stays vibrant green all year long. The leaves grow to close each other on long stems and measure around 1 inch long.
If you wish to expand your plant upwards, you can train it using a trellis or other horizontal support.
The plant can reach a maximum height of 7 feet, and the width is 3 feet; however, you must be patient as it could take between 5 and 10 years.
Common Problems for Hoya Cumingiana
Pests
Hoya plants are highly resistant to insects. However, they do fall victim to Aphids or mealybugs. The majority of insects on the plant are close to its blossoms.
If you notice the white waxy substance on the leaf joint or in other places that aren’t visible, the plant is likely to be infected with mealybugs.
Mealybugs usually come with recently purchased plants from nurseries or online shops. They feed on plant juices causing the health of plants to decline. They prefer hiding in joints, where petioles of the leaf are attached to the stems.
It is possible to eliminate them using horticulture oil and alcohol swabs or sprays made of synthetic material. Spray the foliage of your plant using any of them and repeat the procedure weekly, if needed. Aphids are treated the same way.
The best method to stop the spread of these diseases is to isolate your houseplants for the first two weeks. This separation will allow you to determine any pests or diseases.
Wrinkled Yellow Leaves
The wrinkled or thin leaves can be a sign of stress in Hoya plants. This could be due to the absence of water.
If the plant is covered in wrinkled leaves and humid soil, most likely, the roots are dying. Take the plant out of the container and inspect for root damage.
Make sure the plant isn’t sitting in compacted or wet soil. Clean any obstruction out of the drainage areas.
The yellow foliage on Hoya Cumingiana suggests excessive irrigation. This can be solved by waiting for the soil to become dry before re-watering. If the soil remains wet over a long period, you should think about changing the plant into a quick-drying mixture.
Leaf Drop
The Cumingiana plant is tense if you notice that it’s growing nicely but is dropping its new leaves before they’re fully mature. Be sure to check your plant’s irrigation schedule to determine whether it’s being over or underwatered.
If you let the plant get dry for too long, water it even more if you’ve recently watered your plant and let it dry slightly.
Be aware that Hoya Cumingiana requires more water when it’s active or blooming than when it is in dormancy.
Damaged Foliage
Most of the time, Hoyas, which have leaves with succulents, grow damaged leaves. The reason for this is the stress that occurs during the leaf-making process. There are a variety of causes; it could be that the plant was suffering trauma from the transplant, it was overwatered, and the temperatures were not adequate. Check all these factors to figure out the cause of your plant’s stress.
If you can provide the proper conditions, your plant will begin to produce healthy leaves.
Slow Growth
Hoyas can be unstable plants. Any environmental changes could cause an indefinite period of dormancy or even no growth for months or weeks.
You can do nothing to prevent fluctuating temperatures while letting the plant adapt to the new conditions.
This is usually the case when you take the plant you purchased. The plant suffers from transplant shock, which can cause the plant to grow slowly or not at all.
Tips for Growing Hoya Cumingiana
- Each season, the plant will produce new blooms from previously used spurs. Therefore, you should not remove or harm them when working with the plant.
- Make sure to shield Hoya Cumingiana from the scorching midday sun since it could turn the leaves yellow or burned.
Most Frequently Asked Questions About Hoya Cumingiana
How many hours of sunshine does this plant require all day?
Hoya Cumingiana requires at least six hours of sunshine. However, make sure that the sun doesn’t hit the leaves directly. You can block the sunlight by using blinds or sheer curtains.
What happens if the potting soil used for Hoya Cumingiana is left to rot?
The soil that is contaminated with water can be risky to this species. It causes yellowed foliage, root rot and ultimately, the end of life for your Hoya Cumingiana. It is therefore important not to allow the soil to sit in water for long.
What is it with the vines that my Hoya Cumingiana keeps dying?
Install lighting in Hoya. Ensure all areas of the plant get bright but indirect light during the daytime.
What kind of soil is ideal to use for Hoya Cumingiana?
Any soil with good moisture retention and drainage is ideal for this Cumingiana plant. The most frequent problem for Hoya plants is low topsoil, which stores little or excessive moisture.
Conclusion On Hoya Cumingiana Care
It is a vigorous, trailing shrub that blooms all through the summer. The inflorescence of this plant is comprised of numerous flowers that hang and are put together into an umbel. The Hoya is best cultivated in greenhouses, conservatories and containers. It can also be grown on walls.
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