Hi raven,

Don't feel bad---I didn't know that either in the beginning. It wasn't until much research and reading did I realize the same thing you just figured out. Who knew, I guess that's what makes me a "beginner", but we all have to learn from our mistakes, I know I did, :o) I have come to realize that I am a much faster learner when things are SHOWN to me than told to me, I'm a Visual person...

Good luck with the rest of your cuttings.

I'll add that it's not ALWAYS true that the roots only come from nodes. Notice that a lot of Hoyas have little protrusions along the stem - these are potential roots. In a very humid environment, they will develop into air roots, and they will root in soil. However, I think roots develop fastest at the nodes, then they tend to fill in with the roots that are "waiting" up and down the stem.

I'll also add that you don't need to remove the bottom leaves. In fact, if you just push the bottom set of leaves into the soil, so the node is under the soil line, those leaves will kind of help "anchor" the cutting in the pot.

You'll get the hang of what works for you. We all have a favorite way to root cuttings, and I find that some Hoyas root better one way than another. Some I find root better in a glass full of fine aquarium gravel with water, while others do better put directly in soil.

What kind of Hoyas are you trying to root, Raven?

Denise in Omaha

puglvr - live and learn, huh? lol I am definitely a visual person too ...

Denise - In a recent round robin I got cuttings of kerrii, lacunosa and nummularioides ..... the kerrii was very nice and I really wanted that one .... all three had the stems start to rot and most of the leaves fall off....the kerrii only has one now ... I know now I over watered them...I think I probably should have specifically asked how often to water after the initial moistening of the soil...

I have cut off the mushy part of the stem and moved them to baggies and hope that it works this time...though the lacunosa and nummularioides are down to one node, I think ....maybe 2 on the numm.

In a recent trade I got aldrichii...and yesterday got cuttings of macgillivrayi....I really like the bigger leaved hoyas

Right now they are all in baggies and I have my fingers crossed ...

Good luck Raven, I was nervous rooting my two new recent cuttings because that is the first I have tried to root hoyas, so far so good. I did loose two leaves on erythrina (sp.) but it is doing ok now.

shanna

Raven,

What kind of mix are you using? When I get cuttings, I typically put them in a mix with equal parts coir and perlite, or 1/3 each coir, perlite and orchid bark. I keep them pretty moist until I'm sure they're rooted. Right now, I'm rooting a purpueo-fusca that's only node was where the only leaves were, with a stem below that that's about 8" long. I cut it back to about 5" and put it in a pot and I pulled it out today and see some roots forming at the very end of the stem. It's been 16 days since I put it in the medium (which did include the orchid bark this time...)

The baggie method isn't very reliable for me. I seem to nearly always get mold before I get roots. Have you tried a "rooting pot", having several cuttings in one pot? Or rooting in with already established plants? You'll find something that works for you with time. Don't be too frustrated... You'll be an old pro at this in a few years! That's not to say it'll TAKE you a few years to figure it out - I just mean YOU will be the one giving advice before long!

Denise in Omaha

Raven,

Good luck with the baggie method. I root my hoyas that way, and have great success. Just make sure you poke some holes in the bag for aeration....otherwise you will suffocate the cuttings and increase likelihood for mold.

Gabi

Denise..

I have them in equal parts potting soil, orchid bark and perlite...they are in clear plastic cups with holes in the bottom so I can see the water and/or (hopefully) roots..then they are in baggies and in a window sill...

Gabi - thanks so much..I did put holes in the baggies too :)