I've done it again - Retusa

5 years ago

I had a Retusa that I purchased in a 4" pot last year. It was fine for a while, then just started to decline. Yellowing and leaf loss took over. I was able to save one stem of it before it completely died. It's in leca now and much to my surprise, it looks like it is actually going to live.

Then yesterday this happened. I picked up this Retusa for only $16. So decided it was worth a second try. It looks like the nursery was keeping it very wet. Maybe that was my issue before, not enough moisture?

I actually really like the small plastic hanging pot that it is in too. It's only 5". That size would be perfect for some of my other smaller hoyas. I may try to find some like it online.

Featured Answer

Meyermike(Zone 6a Ma.)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Good luck with it. I can be so upsetting when one you like so much just declines no matter what you do. I just lost a Lacunosa and it got everything it needed to be to be happy. Just started getting wrinkly leaves, yellowing and dying vines, no matter what I did. Then it fell on the floor the other day and since it looked like crap, I tossed it. Have to try another I have already. I hear your pain(

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Comments (6)

sd2102 (8b PNW)
5 years ago
I keep this one more damp than my other Hoyas (same chunky mix, I just don't let it dry out much), and it's pretty cool in the winter. It's growing steadily and it's been sending out flowers for the past month+.
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5) thanked sd2102 (8b PNW)
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
Original Author
5 years ago
Good to know. When I bought this one, it was soaking wet in the nursery greenhouse. I haven't watered it yet at all. It still seems really damp. But I guess it's probably time now.
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stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a
5 years ago
My little retusa was a very small fragile bonus cutting that was included in a trade for some other cuttings. I didn't have high hopes for it, but it's rooted and looks pretty good so far :-) Right now it's on a heating mat and enjoying high humidity in my Wardian case. Would love any tips on how to get this one to thrive!
Bill M.
5 years ago
Stupidlazydog - wow! That is a chunky mix! Do you water it more often than the other hoyas? I have a single cutting someone sent along with another cutting I purchased last March. It looks like the one at the 1 o'clock position in your bowl. I have mine in a standard hoya mix which I made up (MG orchid bark with huge helpings of pearlite) and it gets watered the same as my other plants - about once a week - but sparingly. It hasn't died and does seem to be growing very very slowly. They sure do like to take their time don't they? Kinda makes one wonder how they ever succeeded in the wilds beating out all the other plants to sunshine and nutrients.

Best of luck with yours....
stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a
5 years ago
Bill, It's in ccoco chips. They do absorb plenty of water, but still drain really well. I find that cuttings root pretty easily in it. The cutting had a rough time in the mail, and was pretty limp and dried out. I was surprised it perked back up and rooted as well as it did. Now, if only it would start growing :-)