Hoya leaves snapping off

9 years ago

For some reason, I tend to snap off Hoya leaves without even realizing it! Do they really snap off that easily? I got a free cutting from Ric with a purchase I made, and was delighted when it rooted. It had four leaves. Well, now it has two. It won't die with only two leaves, will it? Any suggestions on how NOT to snap them off?

Featured Answer

aurorawa

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

It really depends on your climate, though. Remember, grown in the wild, most Hoya species live in rainforests, where they are constantly misted. The humidity is around 70-80% daily. They also have dry seasons, but even then, the humidity is still rather high. Temperatures average year round at 75-90F. They are not constantly watered (except during monsoon seasons, but because these are fast, heavy flowing rains, there is constant, high oxygenation to the roots); instead water trickles down from the tree canopy onto the aerial roots. The ground is also constantly damp and warm, because of debris, water runoff from the canopies, and high humidity. But, any excess water that may exist, has a place to go, and unlike a pot, the water disbursement is even, for the most part.

There are boggy areas of the rainforests, where some of our thirstier hoyas like to hang out.

In a pot, you don't get that free-flowing oxygenation, because instead of the water dispersing out into the ground around the plant, in a pot, little areas of water pockets form. This water stays where it is until it evaporates or is used by the plant.

Most of mine really do need to be on the dry side prior to re-watering, or they rot. And, I don't use any type of soil in my mix (just straight orchid bark, perlite, LECA, and maybe a bit of chopped up long fiber sphagnum moss).

I think if your climate has hot, dry, 0% humidity summers, yes, of course you should water often (and mist frequently, as well!).

But my climate is a temperate rainforest climate . We don't get super hot, dry summers, and even on our hottest days (which can be high 80's-mid 90's), the relative humidity is around 50-60%.

I also mist my adult plants a few times a day, to keep the humidity from fluctuating too much.

If you are not using any type of humidity tent/dome, then more frequent waterings or mistings may be necessary.

At the same time, if you are using a humidity tent/dome, you are effectively creating a micro-climate for your plant. Because it is an enclosed space, the evaporating water from the potting media, and from the plant itself, raises the humidity level in the dome/tent. As the water evaporates, it condenses, trickling back down into the potting media, keeping things damp.

This effect is accelerated if the area is also warmed by bottom heat or a warm area.

You do lose some water with each evaporation cycle (as well as when you air the tent/dome out), so it is still important to check the media to ensure it still has some moisture, but you should be opening your tent/dome every 2-3 days, anyway, to air things out and check for issues. If neededn mist lightly, and

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Comments (9)

aurorawa
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Some species have really tough looking leaves, but when it comes down to just moving them (or even looking at them), they tend to snap off, or break easily.

Stress from shipping can also weaken cuttings, temporarily.

I tend to limit the amount of breakage by not disturbing the plants, unless absolutely necessary. But, in some cases, it's unavoidable.

I wish I could tell you that feeding them some secret serum or waving a chicken over them while chanting an ancient voodoo spell will take care of things, but unfortunately, some species are just more delicate than they appear.

And, no, unless it has root rot or other underlying issues, it won't die.
Randi Holbrook
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you. aurorawa! At least now I know I'm not the only one with this problem. I move my hoyas into the bathroom to water them, and that's when it happens. I have to watch super close all the time that they don't get caught on something. I've had this cutting for months, so it wasn't shipping stress, it was my clumsiness! I'm so glad to hear it won't die! Relief! Thanks again!
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Randi Holbrook
Original Author
9 years ago
I'm back. Now we're down to ONE leaf. The latest leaf just kind of "fell" off when I barely touched it a couple of days ago. Here is a pic of the last remaining leaf. See the yellow spots? Upper left, and lower left. What does this mean? I kept it moist when it was rooting, and now water only when dry (the last few weeks). Fast draining soil.
aurorawa
9 years ago
Surigaoensis is very tough, and not one I have ever had issues with, regarding leaf loss (breakage, yes, but not a complete leaf falling off). It also seems to like it a bit on the dry side, even when rooting. I water my suri cuttings once, bag them up, and don't water again (unless they start looking super-dehydrated; then they get a good misting) until they are rooted.

The yellowing yours is showing is not typical for root issues (that type of yellowing starts at the petiole and advances toward the leaf tip, and eventually turns brown/black). I don't know the significance of your yellowing.

That being said, it would not hurt to check the roots and/or rooting stem for signs of rot (squishy, smelly, brown or black rooting stem, sparse, stinky, discolored, stringy root system).

If no sign of rot is present, I am just as stumped as you!
Randi Holbrook thanked aurorawa
Randi Holbrook
Original Author
9 years ago
I kept it moist when as it rooted, then when it had rooted a few weeks later and I took the baggie off, I let it dry between waterings, which I continue to do. It doesn't stink, and the roots are white, so I'm assuming it will be alright. Maybe the other leaf had been knocked at some point--I don't know. So far it is not looking any worse. Thank you.
Monica bf N. Carolina zone 7B
9 years ago
When I had a Hoya that was getting yellow spots/streaking on a leaf that seemed to spread to a couple other leaves. I asked if it was a fungus and I was questioned if I had thrips.

It could be a sign of a pest. I know thrips like sucking/scraping on the petiole and that could be why the leaves are falling off so easily.

I ended up throwing out my plant because it kept getting worse (although I never lost a leaf). I was devastated because it was a Hairy Kerrii I purchased from Ric. :-(
Randi Holbrook
Original Author
9 years ago
So sorry about your Kerrii, Monica! I do have aphids on some of my hoyas, but have seen no pest of any kind of this one. And wouldn't be hard to miss, since there is only one leaf!
Denise
9 years ago
Maybe you're letting it get too dry. In a pot that size, I'd probably need to be watering it every 2-3 days, and my mix is probably not as loose as yours (I think I see some orchid bark, right?) When plants are young and small, and especially during the hottest time of summer, it's easy to underwater them. Years ago, I read an article that contradicted what most growers say - that by letting Hoyas dry out too much, you keep them in a constant state of stress. I water almost all my Hoyas before they dry completely, and since I started doing that, my plants have been much happier.

Denise in Omaha