Hoya Obovata: A Comprehensive Care Guide - Absolute Gardener

Hoya Obovata: A Comprehensive Care Guide

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hoya obovata

Do you want to add hoya obovata to your collection of house plants? If so, then this article is for you! In this article we will discuss hoya obovata and how they can be a great addition to any home. We’ll also go over care guides, common problems, and tips on keeping hoya obovata happy.

The hoya plant is known as an easy-to-care-for plant that thrives in low light situations. And because these plants are often inexpensive, it won’t break the bank if one dies or gets sick from neglectful care.

What is a Hoya Obovata?

Despite the hoya’s popularity, it doesn’t have many common names to call it. “H. obovata” is derived from Latin and means “somewhat round”. The leaves are often shiny green and leathery. The hoya obovata flower come in a variety of colours, including white, red and pink. Hoya obovata is also known as hoya obovata splash can grow up to three feet tall and wide. The plants are known as air purifiers because they remove toxins from the environment, such as formaldehyde and benzene.

The hoya obovata can be grown as either a hanging plant or a tabletop hoya, making it an excellent choice for adding colour to your desk space. It also does well in low-light conditions and can be grown indoors with the proper care. Hoya obovata bloom during late winter and early spring until midsummer.

Origins of Hoya Obovata

Hoya obovata is a hoya that originates in Japan. Hoya means ‘to cover’ and obovata translates to “egg-shaped’. The hoya gets its name for the texture of the leaves, which are roundish with slightly curved edges (like an egg). It’s also known as Japanese wax plant because the leaves produce a waxy substance when they are damaged. In their natural habitats hoyas can often be found clinging to tree trunks and branches, as well as rocks.

Hoya Obovata Care Guide

The hoya obovata, also known as the wax plant or simply hoya, is easy to care for. It requires little light and can grow in water without any soil. Hoya plants are typically grown from cuttings; however it’s possible to raise a hoya from seed if you have patience with waiting up to two years before it starts to show any signs of growth.

hoya obovata

Soil

A hoya obovata needs a bit of soil mixed in with the bark to grow well. Ideally, this is rich, organic potting mix that drains quickly and stays moist for extended periods of time without being waterlogged or heavy like clay soils. When planting hoya obovata seeds into pots, use an even mixture of hoya obovata seeds, soil and horticultural grit mixed together. The hoya obovata will grow quickly in the first few weeks to a height of about six inches by producing runners that can be cut off from the stem.

Alternatively, Hoya obovata should be planted in CACTUS SOIL or horticultural mix. The potting soil that you choose will come with instructions on how to prepare this type of soil for your hoya plants and what kind of fertilizer (most likely a small packet) you need to add to it before planting the plant into the pot.

Lighting

There are not a lot of hoya species which need to be in direct sun all day, hoya obovata is one of those.

The hoya will do well with at least three hours on each side of the greenhouse and these should include some midday sun from roughly noon to two o’clock. A little less than that may be okay for hoya obovata, but more than that and the hoya will suffer from too much light.

Hoya obovata does not need much light (less than 50 watts) and will do well in an east-facing window with indirect sun, but it should not be left in the direct sunlight because this will harm its leaves. It also benefits from lower levels of light, which can be provided by fluorescent lighting.

Watering

When hoya obovata is being grown indoors, it’s important to make sure that the temperature remains at a consistent level with all other conditions (light, water) so hoyas don’t get stressed or sick. When hoya obovata isn’t getting enough light, it will start to get leggy and have few flowers.

When hoya obovata is being grown outdoors in the summertime months (April-November), hoyas should be watered every day during periods of intense sunlight or heat. Hoya obovata can also need watering more than once a day if they’re planted in a pot with drainage holes, or if hoyas are in full sun.

If hoya obovata is being grown indoors at any time of the year, it’s important to water hoyas every other day so that they don’t get stressed by lack of water or too much moisture. If hōya obovata is being grown in a pot with drainage holes, hoya obovata should be watered every day.

Hoya obovata should be watered when the top inch or so of soil is dry. It can take up to a week before hoya obovata will start wilting due to lack of water, but you do not want hoya obovata sitting in wet dirt for too long either. Hoya obovata will need to be watered more frequently if you live in an area that is hot or dry, but it should not be overwatered since hoya obovata’s leaves are sensitive and can rot easily.***

Temperature

Hoya obovata do well in temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Be careful not to let the temperature get too hot or cold – if the hoya is getting below 50 F, they will start having problems with water loss. If it gets above 90 F, they may show signs of heat stress such as wilting.

Hoya obovata do best with indirect light, and can handle a lot of direct sun in the winter months without any problems – just make sure there is plenty of air circulation so that it doesn’t get too humid inside the house or greenhouse!

Humidity

Hoya obovata is a tropical hoyas. It loves humid, moist temperatures and bright indirect light from all directions or diffused direct sunlight for at least 12 hours of the day. The best way to provide this humidity is with misting once per week following these steps:

  • Fill your container with room temperature water
  • Add a hoya houseplant
  • Mix the water to huggle the hoya plant and then mist it with handheld sprayer or mister, be sure not to saturate. You need just enough moisture in the air that you can see smoke on exhale but no more than this.
  • Mist from all angles of light as hoya obovata does best in indirect light.
  • Mist the hoya plant at least 12 hours per day but no more than 24 hours to avoid overhydrating and root rot that will kill your hoya.

Hoyas also do well with a humidifier on low setting, or by adding an inch of pebbles to the bottom of a shallow dish filled with water and hoya obovata.

Fertiliser

Hoya obovata is a pretty plant, but it does need some care in order to thrive. One of the big things hoyas don’t like is having too much nitrogen–they want lots of phosphorous and potassium instead. You should use fertiliser that’s high in those elements when you feed your hoya; alternatively, hoya obovata is one of those plants that can take up nutrients from the soil, so it’s good to make sure your hoyas are in well-drained soil.

Liquid fertiliser such as Dyna-gro Liquid Grow for the hoya obovatas has worked well so far with no major problems. For hoyas that are not actively growing, you can add a few drops of compost tea to the water in their pot.

Toxicity

Hoya obovata is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep hoyas out of reach from your pets or they might eat it, which could have some serious consequences. If you want to put the plant in a location where there are pets, try covering the hoya with chicken wire so that it’s hard for them to touch the plant.

Keep hoyas out of reach from children as well, because they might want to eat it or touch the sap and if that happens you should immediately wash their hands with soap and water for fifteen minutes.

If hoya sap gets in your eyes, wash them with water and get medical attention because you might need eye drops. Keep hoyas out of reach from other houseplants or they may spread a virus to the hoya.

Pruning

Pruning hoya obovata is a very delicate process. If done incorrectly, the hoya could be killed and will never grow again. Hoya obovata can take up to a month or more to recover from being cut. Pruning should only be done during dormancy in winter, when there are no leaves on the hoya.

  • Select a hoya obovata stem with two leaves, and cut it off at the base of that leaf near where it attaches to the hoya.
  • Take your time during this process because hoyas grow very slowly over their lifetime. The hoya should not be cut higher up on the plant than what is necessary to remove the hoya.
  • Place hoya obovata back into its pot and water it gently, without letting the hoya float up out of the soil.
  • Make sure that all leaves are laying flat on top of the surface for at least two weeks before watering again or else they will grow moldy due to too much moisture.
  • After hoya obovata has had two weeks to recover from the pruning, cut off any leaves that have turned brown and are no longer green. This is a sign that they were not getting enough sunlight or water during dormancy.

If these tips aren’t followed carefully, hoya obovata can be killed and will never grow again.

Propagation and Growth

Hoya obovata can be propagated by stem cuttings or leaf grafting. When taking a hoya obovata cutting, it is important to make sure that the leaves are folded over so as not to damage them with pruning shears and then trim off any of the damaged parts from around the base where you want to graft the hoya obovata cutting. It is also important to take a hoya obovata stem tip that has at least three leaves (this will ensure enough leaf surface for hoya obovata propagation) and trim off any parts of the hoya obovata plant you don’t want propagated before laying it on top of hoya obovata leaves that are cut to about the same size. Secure hoya obovata propagation with a rubber band and then wait for hoya obovata propagation to take place, which should happen within two or three weeks.

Repotting

Hoya obovata love to be repotted, and as hoya plants grow they will eventually outgrow their pot. When this happens it is time to move them into a bigger container or divide the clump of hoyas. Be sure that you water your hoya before moving them so that the hoya is not dropped when you remove the hoya from its pot and that water does not accumulate in the bottom of your new hoya container.

To divide a clump, loosen any growing roots around the edge of where they meet so that one plant can be removed without damaging too many other plants. Remove as much soil as possible from the hoya and cut off any damaged or dead roots before placing it in a new pot. Fill with soil to about an inch below the rim of your pot, water well, place hoya obovata back into its newly-made home.

Place hoyas that have been divided on their own in separate pots so they do not outgrow their pot too quickly.

Plant Diseases

Hoya obovata are very susceptible to plant diseases. When hoyas get a disease they will usually start showing signs quickly (within days). Their leaves can show necrotic spots, yellowing or browning of the edges and tips of their leaves, wilt, wilting between leaf veins- it may be difficult for hoyas to stand upright, and they may have trouble recovering from a drought.

As hoya obovata are so susceptible to plant diseases it is important that you follow the care instructions listed below very closely for hoyas in order to keep them healthy and safe-

When watering be sure not to over water hoyas as this will increase the likelihood of hoya obovata getting a disease.

Sterilize any tools that come into contact with hoyas by dipping them in alcohol and washing them before use- this will prevent diseases from being transferred to hoyas or other plants, as well as help keep your hoyas healthy. This includes pruning shears and scissors.

Remove any diseased leaves and dispose them away from hoya obovata plants in order to stop the spread of diseases among hoyas.

Hoya Obovata Variegated

Hoya obovata variegated is a hoya that grows in the wild and prefers to grow on trees. It has large leaves with thin markings, creating an elegant and delicate foliage. Hoya obovata flower are pinkish-white or cream coloured, growing from spring until fall. This hoya does not require any special care so it is a great hoya for all hoyaphiles!

Soil: Hoya obovata variegata needs to grow in soil that stays moist. If the plant is not watered enough, it will start losing its leaves and flowers. You should water hoya obovata variegated once or twice per week depending on how much rain it is getting.

Temperature: hoya obovata variegated can grow in a wide range of temperatures, so you do not have to worry about your hoya dying from heat or cold. It will thrive when the temperature stays between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Hoya obovata variegated prefers to be kept in the shade or in filtered sunlight.

Light: hoya obovata variegated prefers to grow in a place that has bright, indirect light. It can handle direct sun for short periods of time if necessary, but should not be placed too close to windows or other sources of intense heat such as heating vents and fireplaces. But hoya obovata variegated does not need to grow in a lot of light, so this hoya can thrive with just one or two hours of sunlight per day.

Pests: hoya obovata variegated is very resilient and has few pests that bother it. The most common problem for hoyas are aphids and mealybugs. If hoya obovata variegated starts to develop symptoms of these pests, use a soap or horticultural oil spray to get rid of them.

hoya obovata

Common Issues with Hoya Obovata

Hoya obovata are not known for being high-maintenance plants, and so they rarely have problems. However hoya obovata can still develop issues with their leaves wilting or browning from the edges down if it is too hot in your location. You may be able to fix this issue by moving the hoya out of the direct sunlight or into a shadier area.

If hoya obovata leaves are yellowing and falling off, this could be an indication that they need more water in their soil. You may also want to consider repotting hoyas if you have not done so recently as roots can become tangled which will lead to stunted hoya obovata.

If the leaves on hoya obovata are turning brown and crispy at the edges, this is often a sign that they have been overwatered or are not getting enough water for their soil type. If you find your hoya is in need of more water, try watering it with lukewarm to cool water, and make sure to let it drain out completely.

If hoya obovata leaves are wilting or turning brown at the edges but not yellowing, this could be a sign that there is too much fertilizer in their soil mix. You may need to repot hoya obovata if you notice they have been growing in their container for a long time.

Tips for Keeping Hoya Obovata Happy

Hoyas are generally easy to care for, but there are a few things that hoya obovata owners should keep in mind. To help your hoya obovata stay happy and healthy, try these tips:

  • When you move your hoya outdoors during the warmer months, place it in an area with plenty of indirect sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can burn hoya obovata leaves, so try to put your hoya in an area with plenty of filtered or dappled light instead
  • You should keep the humidity above 60% year round for hoyas by misting them every few days and keeping their soil moist at all times. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can also try using hoya obovata leaves as humidity pads. Just place them on top of your hoya’s soil and mist them every day or two
  • Hoya obovata plants should be fertilized about once a month during the growing season with an organic liquid plant food diluted to half strength. You should also consider adding a hoya obovata fertilizer to your hoya’s soil
  • Pruning is an important part of hoya care. You can prune hoyas in the spring or fall by cutting off any dead flowers, stems, leaves and roots with clean shears

Hoya Obovata Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hoya Obovata a fast grower?

The hoya obovata is a small hoya that grows slowly but steadily, and can take up to two years for it to reach its maximum height of four feet. It’s not unusual for hoyas in general to grow at different rates depending on the type or variety you purchase, how much light they receive and your climatic conditions.

How do you care for a Hoya Obovata?

  • Water hoya obovata every other day. They can go three weeks without water and still be just fine, but it’s always best to keep them watered as often as possible!
  • Fertilize hoya obovata every other week with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. This can be done at the same time as watering, but hoya obovata are sensitive so don’t overdo it!
  • Hoya obovata love high humidity and frequent misting! They also enjoy being sprayed with water from the hose or allowed to sit outside during periods of heavy rainfall, but be careful not to wet their roots so that they don’t rot.
  • Stake hoya obovata when they are grown to a certain height. This will allow them to grow up and become beautiful!

Do Hoya plants like direct sunlight?

Hoya plants will grow in just about any type of light, but hoyas prefer indirect sunlight. If you place your hoya near a window with direct sun exposure for most the day it might get leggy and stretchy as they reach to catch more rays. This is because hoys are growing towards an energy source (sunlight).

Should I mist my Hoya?

A hoya needs a humid environment in order to thrive, so be sure that you mist it daily and place its pot on an elevated surface such as a plate or saucer of water (which will evaporate) for extra humidity. If your hoya is in a sunny window, it likely won’t need misting because the ambient humidity level will be high.

hoya obovata

How quickly does Hoya grow?

The hoya obovata is a very slow-growing plant, only growing about one inch per year. Hoya plants can grow up to three feet in height if given the proper care and attention that they need.

Conclusion

The hoya obovata care is relatively easy, and provides an affordable way of diffusing your favourite essential oils. Give it some light — but not too much direct sunlight — water when the soil feels dry, and fertilize every two weeks with a weak fertilizer solution. Watch closely for signs of unhappy hoyas: dropping leaves, wilting, browning. If you catch it early enough, hoya obovata is very easy to care for and will reward you with years of beauty in your home! If you’re looking to get one of these, get it via Amazon.

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