Well Hi Bonnie & Welcome,

Quite the collection you've got there, esp. if you're a beginner. I grow most of mine all in the same or similar light conditions, so I can't really answer your question (intelligently anyway).

I would suggest ('til others post here) you glance at the Thread called "Hoyas in the Wild", that may give you some answers abt these, or at least a jumping off point for yor Hoyas. Have fun (w/ that grouping it ought to be great!)

You know what is weird, I have three plant books that all say hoyas need sun. My old Reader's Digest book says 3-4 hours of direct sun. This info must be out-dated?

From what I'm finding on the internet though is that most would be happier with bright indirect light...some even shady? I had been thinking of a south window but with this newer info I think I will put them in a west window that has trees shading it partly. I have a macaw that is there now. He is taking up a huge amount of window space but if I just scoot him out away from the window so he can't reach the plants maybe they all can share the window. I'll probably get bit every time I water the hoyas. In his mind anything on or near his cage belongs to him and he doesn't want anyone messing with his stuff. Other than his moodiness he's a great bird:)

I ordered a few plants off of ebay and then six cuttings and a book from Bob Smoley. It's called Hoya Basics. Anyone have this book? I hope it's a good one.

Janie

I am new to Hoyas, but not new to plants - been growing them all my life, but fairly intensively for 15-20 years. I have over 350 pots/containers of annuals, perennials and tropicals/houseplants. I've wanted some Hoyas for awhile, but I wanted to make sure I could keep one alive for at least a year before I spent what could be a fair bit of money on more :-)

I found kerrii on that list "open and dry" - it looks like it'll want a bright spot. I suppose I'm going to want to put the variegated ones in a bright but no sun spot. None of the others I have are listed (several of mine are cultivars and that looks like a species list)

That's a big problem with books - conflicting or inaccurate information, or assumptions of universal growing conditions. I like to use them for a starting point, but the information they have is not universally applicable. There is a great deal of difference between 3-4 hours of sun in Florida or California and 3-4 hours of sun in Montana or Montreal. My little variegated carnosa got that this summer (through a window) with no ill effect, but I wouldn't do it further south without knowing for sure it could take it. Maybe it would have done even better if it had received no sun - I'm too new to know! This is why I like to get the opinions of many people that have grown them. Books are great, but there is nothing like the voice of experience :-)

BP

I think full sun thru a window is what houseplant books mean, and that generally isn't as strong as full sun outdoors under the open sky.

Personally, I think morning or late afternoon sun is best, especailly for plants outdoors. If your window gets really strong mid day sun, hang the plants back a bit or put up some sheer or lace curtains to filter the sun a bit. All hoyas like and need good light so bright light is good, scorching mid day sun is not. If you aren't sure, keep an eye out and you will see by the foliage if the sun is too hot. It will look pale and scorched.

Good luck with your new plants, I have alot of the same ones!