Are you a new plant lover and looking for a flowering species for your home that gives a stunning appearance with minimum effort?
Worry not my friend, because I have the perfect plant especially for you if you are a beginner: The Hoya Fungii. When I first found out the name of this plant, trust me I was as intrigued as you. I simply thought that this was an infectious plant or something. But when I saw it with my own eyes, this plant proved me wrong. When you see this plant, I am sure you will be obsessed with it like me.
Hoya fungii is a type of succulent that roots along its long, spreading branches. It grows to a length of at least 20 feet in the wild, clambering over rocks and scaling trees. The plant also produces gorgeous blossoms with a crimson core that is white in hue. This plant has an aesthetic appearance with a beautiful aroma and green waxy leaves.
So, you might want to know how to grow and care for Hoya Fungii at home. Don’t worry, I will share some important care tips to help you grow a beautiful and healthy Hoya Fungii at home. Let’s find out!
How To Care For Hoya Fungii?
When the top one or two inches of the soil start to dry out, hoya fungii need to be watered, and they need to be kept in indirect bright light. These plants need high humidity levels, adequate air circulation, and loose, well-draining soil to thrive and be happy under your care. They usually are easy to care for. I have listed some factors below you can take into consideration while planting the Hoya Fungii plant.
1. Temperature requirements of the Hoya Fungii plant
Hoya fungi favor warm climates. This plant is not frostproof, therefore if you leave it outside, it could get destroyed by the frost. Never let the Hoya fungus be exposed to temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Since they need cooler temperatures to flower, hoyas are at their best from the end of April until the beginning of October.
Warmer temperatures thus encourage Hoya flowering. Put your Hoya fungii somewhere that will gradually get colder as the seasons shift into winter, away from sudden gusts of hot or cold air, and away from heat sources like radiators and heaters. Proper care for the plant will result in good bloom. Also, ensure that the temperature around the plant should remain constant.
2. Humidity requirements of the Hoya Fungii plant
Hoyas thrive in humid environments and will grow more quickly there. To prevent mold and other fungus problems, you should constantly combine enough humidity with good air circulation. They will thrive in conditions with indoor humidity levels of around 50%.
However, if you want to increase the humidity level then you can use a humidity tray. It is a small tray with stones and just enough water to keep your pot from touching the water when you place it on top of it. As the water evaporates, the humidity level around your plant gradually rises.
You can also use a humidifier as it is the simplest and most practical way to add moisture to your air. And when considering ventilation, keep in mind to sometimes open windows, give a modest fan some thought, or move your plants farther apart.
3. Light Requirements requirements of the Hoya Fungii plant
Bright but diffuse light is ideal for your Hoya fungus. Put it in an east or west-facing window where it might be able to tolerate some morning dappled sunlight, or farther away from a south-facing window to avoid exposure to the harsh noon sun.
Sunburns can cause the leaves to burn and turn yellow from too much exposure to the sun. Also, when there is not enough light, your hoya will seek the closest source of light since it will become pale and leggy. Moreover, Hoyas also dislike being moved around frequently, so select the ideal spot for it and leave it alone to prevent stress.
4. Watering requirements of the Hoya Fungii plant
Watering Hoyas can be challenging. They should receive adequate but not excessive watering. Examine your plant and only provide it with the needed amount of water. You can check the water status of the plant by sticking your finger in the soil to check its dampness. If it is dried then your plant requires water. However, if you find the soil damp then it means that you have overwatered your plant. You have to try and keep the soil moist and not damp.
You can also get a humidity meter if you are a beginner having trouble determining the water requirements for your Hoya fungus.
Furthermore, ensure that your plant has drainage holes that help in removing all the excess water from the container and keeps the plant safe. Overwatering can severely damage the plant so also keep a check while watering it.
5. Fertilization requirements of the Hoya Fungii plant
Fertilizer provides the plant with vital nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus that are deficient in ordinary soil and also very necessary. These nutrients are essential for the growth and development of the plant. Fertilizer should be used since indoor plants require it rather than obtaining their nutrients from the soil as outdoor plants do.
In the summer, fertilize your hoya fungii every two to three times you water them by applying a liquid fertilizer for green plants that have been diluted to half strength. By doing it this way, you can guard the plant against fertilizing dry roots and stop fertilizer burn. You might also consider fertilizing it to promote blooming when spring is in full swing or when you see that it is about to blossom.
6. Soil requirements of the Hoya Fungii plant
You should give your hoya fungi a gritty, well-draining soil because hoyas are semi-succulent epiphytic plants. Their roots are vulnerable to root rot and dislike being immersed in water. If you think of the roots as vining around a tree trunk, you can easily understand why they wouldn’t be happy in a gloomy, excessively moist, and oxygen-deficient environment.
Your best option is to create a soil mixture using one part of regular houseplant soil, one part of coco coir or orchid bark, and one part perlite. Perlite is the best soil supplement for promoting aeration and drainage because of its neutral pH, lack of chemicals, high porosity, and resistance to deterioration. The thick orchid bark will keep the soil loose and light.
7. Growth requirements of the Hoya Fungii plant
Hoya fungii are fierce vining growers and can grow to lengths of over six feet if the right conditions are present. For more stability, give it a strong structure to hold onto, such as a moss stick or trellis.
8. Repotting requirements of the Hoya Fungii plant
Repotting your hoya should be done every year or two, but don’t assume it means expanding the pot. When the roots in the pot are just a little bit crowded, hoyas grow and bloom at their finest. Avoid planting it in very large containers as too much soil around the roots may cause waterlogging and sad, rotting roots. As long as the roots are not poking through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, leave it alone unless you want to give it fresher, richer soil.
9. Propagation requirements of the Hoya Fungii plant
The most normal way to propagate hoya plants is through stem cuttings, and the same applies to your hoya fungii. While propagating your hoya, you can use sphagnum moss, water, or soil to encourage stem growth. Even though the process is straightforward to follow.
I have mentioned some steps below that you can take while propagating your Hoya fungii plant.
- Look for a stem cutting with a few nodes and leaves, choose a younger branch rather than an older one, and confirm that it is healthy and pest-free.
- After the bottom leaves are removed, a node or two that are left exposed will be developing roots. Always leave a few leaves on the cutting.
- Put it in soil, water, or sphagnum moss. Make sure the leaves on top are not in contact with any water or soil to avoid rotting. If you intend to root it in the soil, make sure that it is nutrient-rich and made for young plants. Sphagnum moss should be wrapped around the cutting nodes if you decide to utilize it.
- Keep it in a warm, well-lit area of your house and maintain even moisture but avoid making the moss or soil saturated. To boost humidity and promote roots, think about placing it inside a plastic bag or under a humidity dome.
- When you notice a few inches of roots, transfer them into a tiny pot with the soil mixture advised by Hoyas. Place it inside a plastic bag or under a humidifier and monitor it for a time. Young cuttings are more vulnerable to disease and pests, so taking extra precautions won’t hurt.
10. Diseases requirements of the Hoya Fungii plant
Hoya Fungii also faces problems with some fungal diseases and infestations by sucking insects. Fungicides are a simple and effective way to cure two separate fungus-related diseases that commonly affect this plant.
One is Botrytis Blight. It is identified by the gray patches that start to show up on the plant’s stem and leaves. These spots enlarge and eventually coalesce to form vast zones. Later, the leaves turn mushy and start to fall off suddenly. And another is Sooty Mold. When your plant is being assaulted by pests, this particular fungus could become infected.
All sucking pests, including aphids and scales, leave behind a sticky substance known as honeydew on the surface of the leaves. The sooty mold spores that are attracted by this honeydew coat the entire surface of the leaves and prevent them from photosynthesizing. Exfoliation of the leaves will finally start.
These diseases could be cured by simply removing the most severely diseased and hopeless leaves, or by using fungicides created especially to fight certain infections.
11. Pests requirements of the Hoya Fungii plant
Numerous pests can affect hoyas, but the scale, thrips, and spider mites are their main enemies. Spider mites are tiny, white to bright green bugs that resemble spiders. They like to hang out at the nodes and on the underside of the leaves. They don’t spare anyone as they eat off the sap of your plant.
So to treat it, you should first give your plant a powerful shower to blast them off before dealing with them. To get rid of any larvae and eggs, apply an insecticidal soap treatment next. Scale is the following; these little, brown, spherical lumps on your plant could seem harmless. If, upon closer examination, you discover that the brow shells are a disguise for microscopic insects feeding on the plant’s sap.
You can treat the scale by washing the leaves with soap lather. Or you could spray neem oil for better treatment.
FAQ’s
Q1. How do you identify Hoya Fungii?
Ans. The semi-succulent Hoya fungii, which is native to China, has velvety, dark-green leaves and flowers that bloom twice a year. They are also known as wax plants and are incredibly easy to care for as common houseplants due to the smoothness of their leaves.
Q2. Should I deadhead flowers on my Hoya fungii?
Ans. You can if you choose, but take care not to harm the spur from which the blooms are developing. Future blooms will originate from this because Hoyas produce flowers on the same spur repeatedly.
Q3. Why is Hoya so popular?
Ans. Hoya is most popular because of its flowering. The distinctive and exquisite blossoms of hoyas are one of the plants’ many appeals. Many hoya growers put a lot of effort into getting each of their plants to bloom, some of which are very challenging to do.
Q4. How to make the soil more aerated for my Hoya fungii without using perlite?
Ans. You can use peat moss, vermiculite, or coarse sand in place of perlite. Although you can use various soil supplements, we advise perlite because it is pH neutral and doesn’t deteriorate over time.
Q5. What kind of pot should I plant my Hoya fungii in?
Ans. For plants like Hoyas that are prone to root rot, we advise using clay pots. You may also use plastic pots, just make sure they have enough drainage holes whichever pot you select.
Conclusion
In nature, the Hoya fungii plant is an epiphyte that is semi-succulent. This plant must always be kept in a room with brilliant indirect light because it cannot take direct sunshine. That plant deserves attention even if it is not particularly well known. They are relatively simple to grow and take care of.
I sincerely hope the information I just gave you helped and cleared your concerns about the Hoya fungii. If you have any questions in your mind, feel free to comment down below as I will be happy to answer. Also, don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family and also on social media!
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