Hoya Krimson Queen in Trellis, Hoya Carnosa Variegated

Care Guide

WATER MANAGEMENT FOR HOYA KRIMSON QUEEN VARIEGATA - Hoya plants are drought tolerant, water them as needed, Hoya plants intended for indoor use can be watered less frequent, frequency of watering can depend on the size of the plant, humidity levels and rate of growth. One of the most common mistakes in the care of indoor plants is overwatering, indoor plants are far more tolerant to underwatering than overwatering, Improper watering can result in fungal issues and root rot. It is recommended to monitor your houseplants and water them when they need it, rather than on a schedule. When watering plants the objective is to maintain the soil moist, a moisture meter is a great tool to utilize to reduce the guesswork, We recommend to sample the top soil an inch deep every 3-4 days, if you notice is still moist hold off on watering until it dries further, since most plants water needs may be different this is a good way to determine each individual plant water requirements.
Water Recommendations base on pot size, we suggest to utilize a soil probe initially to determine humidity levels and when to water.
6 inch Pot plants, every 4-7 Days, 10-12 inch Pot plants, every 7-12 days

LIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS - Hoya Krimson Queen Variegata generally require bright indirect light, this is one of the most important aspects of care, although they can adapt to lower lighting conditions it is not sufficient for the variegation blend to thrive, the alternative colors cream-pink can not photosynthesize and will gradually turn into more green. It is highly recommended to place the Hoya Variegata in bright indirect bright light in order for their leaves to remain vibrant, bright light is what encourages the beautiful variegation and blend of colors in the foliage. Partial to full sun exposure is acceptable only for short periods of time, Too much direct sun exposure will scorch its delicate leaves. You should place the Hoya Variegata near a window where the plant can receive the brightest available light, east, south, and west facing windows are the best options, we recommend to rotate the plant occasionally, this will allow the plant to receive bright light from different angles, it can minimize leaf drops from within the canopy and allow the plant to maintain even healthy growth all year round.

HUMIDITY - Hoyas can be misted occasionally, generally the air in our homes is dry, misting our houseplants is a very simple and effective way to boost humidity, an easy solution to the risk of overwatering your plants. Always pay attention to the color and texture of the leaves on your plant. Generally Plants with brown or dry leaf tips will benefit from regular misting to keep the plant happy and thriving, preferably in the mornings to allow the foliage to completely dry out during the day.

PLACEMENT AND TEMPERATURE - Selecting the right location for your plant indoors or outdoors is very important, micro climates can affect the health of the plant, make sure the plant does not receive air draft from near by AC/Heating vents, or warm air if close to a freezer, the foliage will dehydrate faster than it can hydrate from moisture in the air or in the soil, eventually turning brown and dropping, when plants are properly watered and care for and still display signs of wilting or seem sad it may help to relocate the plant to a different area for brighter indirect light. Please note most tropical plants are from the tropics, proper moisture is required for their health and survival, we highly recommend to bring your tropical plants indoors when temperatures are expected below 45s during winter months or above 90 during summer months, extreme weather can severely damage the plant.

FERTILIZING – No need to fertilize right away, We fertilize our plants during the production phase with slow release fertilizer which can last an additional 2-3 months supplying residual nutrients to the plant. Once you do decide to fertilize You may use a fertilizer formulated for interior plants, preferably a slow release fertilizer 180 days duration, fertilize during spring or fall base on label instructions.

CLEANING, REGULAR MAINTENANCE -  Hoya Krimson Queen Variegata leaves are very delicate, use caution when cleaning them to avoid damage. Simply add a few drops of dish soap to a cup of water, wet a soft cloth and manually wipe off dust off the leaves, is a simple solution that is inexpensive and works well without damaging the plant.

How to propagate Hoya Krimson Queen Variegata
The easiest way to propagate this Vining Plants is by way of cuttings, find a fairly young fast-growing section of stem with 3-4 section of leaves, cut the stem between nodes, you should end up with a new stem containing several leaves. Make sure to wear gloves to avoid contact with the sap that will release from the stem cut, use a paper towel to dry it. Allow the bud end of the cutting to dry for about an hour so it may callus on the bud end, place the cutting in a glass or ceramic container with with clean water about an 3-4 inches high, do not allow the leaves to contact the water, add rooting hormone if available, place in bright indirect light, change the water once a week, within a couple months you should see white buds forming near the bottom cut section of the stem, once roots grow 2-3 inches long you may plant your rooted cutting in soil.

How to Prune Hoya Krimson Queen Variegata
Hoya is a very fast-growing plant vine, pruning excess growth may be needed at some point to maintain the size of the vines as desired. This will reduce the size of the plant. Regular maintenance should be done first If you notice any diseased leaves, be sure to trim those off immediately, using a clean knife or shears. If new growth is desired, pruning can promote new growth and create multiple branch growth. Prune the vines just above any node, right about where a leaf attaches to a stem, this cut will promote new growth from the point where the cut was made. Before pruning be sure to identify the areas where cuts will be made, especially if you’re pruning to shape your plant. Try marking the areas you want to cut with colored strings or ribbons before cutting. Keep in mind that if you take more than 10% of the leaves or branches, your tree could experience shock, which could cause it to stop growing and droop for a few weeks, so you may want to prune in stages if you’re planning to make drastic changes.

INSECTS OR DESEASES - Here’s another plus, Hoya plants are not regularly affected by pests. in the event that scale, mealy bugs, or mites are found to affect the plant, they can be controlled by wiping the infested area with a soapy solution, add a few drops of dish soap in a cup of water and wipe off the affected areas with a soft cloth, It can take several intermittent cleanings to rid the plant of the pests.
Horticultural oils can be sprayed directly onto the insects, A second and third treatment, if using oils, will be necessary. Space out the sprays at 3 week intervals to break up the mealybug life cycle. Both of these treatments together will be very effective.