Elliptica is one I've tried twice and lost both times. I intend to keep trying as it is beautiful. I don't think it's likely yours will pull through if it lost all it's leaves, but like you, I wouldn't give up on it until there's no hope. You just never know - I've had them come back when I thought there was surely no chance. I wait for the fat lady to sing!

Denise in Omaha

Thanks, Denise.

It's disappointing that the cutting is dying, especially because it was one of the expensive ones, and the one I really wanted. At least, my darling heuschkeliana is growing tiny tiny roots!

Happy Hoildays!

I bought a rooted elliptica and I promptly killed it, so I took whatever viable cuttings were available and they are slowly rooting with mixed success. I'm not sure I am going to keep whatever survives, so Denise and themockturtle, if you're still interested in a couple of weeks, you are welcome to them.

Ooohh. I am interested, Tawny. Which elliptica do you have? Clone A or B, IML1679 or other? I am also interested in your other Hoyas you're parting with. I'm going to message you for the list!

Sorry for digging through the graveyard, but this pertains to your new plant, themockturtle. =)

I have had my elliptica (EPC 311) for nearly three years. I don't fuss over it and it grows rapidly. No peduncles, yet. Got it from Jack at Epiphytica, he also said he doesn't fuss over his. I do keep it more sheltered in the summer, though, as it seems to like it shadier.

Thanks, aurora!! Do you water your elliptica more often than others?

To be honest, unless I am rooting a cutting of it, nope!

Wow, that's interesting. I really need to stop fussing over my plants. Thanks, aurora!!!

lol - I have been accused of being an over carer on the citrus forum. I have 5 lemon trees (only 2 are doing okay - can't wait for spring so they can go outside). I had a lime tree that died of which I returned to the nursery for refund.

im watching my Hoyas but not hovering over them. :-)

I have H. elliptica Clone A from SRQ. It seems to be doing well, hasn't lost any leaves and is just putting out new growth. I understand that Clone A is said to be the easiest one to grow. I bought a plant, rather than a cutting, and keep it from drying out, but don't water it any more than necessary to keep the soil slightly moist in between watering. Here is one thing that does seem to make the whole watering thing simpler for me:

I put one of those stake-type plant tags in each pot. Since most of my hoyas are in small pots, I get the white plastic markers and cut them in half lengthwise, to make two narrow tags out of each. I stick the markers in the pot right along the edge of the soil, where it meets the pot. When I'm checking to see if a plant needs water, I pull the tag out and rub the end that was in the pot between my thumb and forefinger. (I use alcohol wipes to clean my fingers in between plants, and also carry a paper towel to dry my fingers before I check the end of the tag.)

For plants that really want to dry out between waterings, I only water when the end of the tag feels dry.

For plants that want to be slightly moist, I water when I feel only a faint hint of cool dampness on the end of the tag.

And for those things (mostly not hoyas) that want to be wet all the time, I just check the tag to see if it is slightly drier than it was right after I watered.

This lets me know how the soil moisture is down in the root zone better than trying to stick my finger in the top of the soil (which also tends to compact the soil in tiny pots). It seems to work whether I am using a gritty soil mix or a more standard potting soil. The soil in the center of the pots will likely be damper than at the edges, but all in all, this seems to be more reliable than anything else that I've tried.

I have the same clone too. Mine seems to be not too fussy as well. Fingers crossed.