Oh.... this is a tricky question! My Carnosa took almost a year to throw leaves but did so over this winter. Why over the winter I just don't know? Leaves sure make the trellis, that I pain stakingly hunted down for it, look so much nicer than bare vines:-)

All my Hoya live in the same window (east window) and they all behave differently. Some the leaves are close together, some are 3 or 4 inches apart, some have long vines before leaves come and others get leaves right away....??

Hope you find out what the cause is of this as curious minds want to know!
Diane

Hi Carol, most hoya are native to rain forest where they must climb to the top of the canopy for light. In order to climb trees, they do not put on leaves as the grow at first so as not to weigh down the branch as it climbs. in nature these branches get several meters long before leaves are set. When we bring them into our homes it does not alter millions of years of evolution, the plants continue to grow as there DNA tells them to grow.

Hope this helps answer your question.

-Leon

Diane and Leon, Thank you for your help. I have just fallen in love with hoyas, so I am very new to their culture needs and growth habits. I have noticed many peduncles forming on the serpens, but have not allowed myself to get too excited about them yet. I have been reading about them on the forum, and I gather that they can be hard to have success with. The KQ came with many good size peduncle with buds already formed, I am keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks, I have learned so much in such a short time from the kind people of the forum. Carol

Hi Carol & Welcome,

May I ask pls. where are you buying these that you're buying them w/ peduncles on them already? I've never run into this myself & would love too.

I too have heard/read Serpens can be tricky, hurray for you!!!

Nice explanation Leon, my Kerriis in particular agree w/ that. The older plant usually puts out a 3 ft. vine that stays bare most of winter w/ the tiniest of baby leaf sprouts; I've got 2 diff. plants doing that right now.

Pirate girl. I consider myself VERY lucky to have come across these two plants. One I bought at my local greenhouse, KQ, and when I bought it the owner told me that they rarely have them with flower buds. I live near Naples, NY and drove down to The Violet Barn, that is where I found the serpens. I think that they only offer rooted cutting for mail order though. The serpens is in a 5-6 inch pot and is COVERED with new growth. I looked at it last night, and counted 6 TINY peduncles and 2 that are a little bit larger. I really have my fingers crossed. Thanks for the encouragement and the welcome. Carol