Peduncle Watch

I used to think that if I got peduncles on my Hoyas, it meant that I was an accomplished Hoya grower. After almost two years of blooming Hoya plants I realize that some peduncles come from good growing habits and some from the bad. Sometimes peduncles form on a super young plant, sometimes only after a hard pruning, sometimes because all of the stars in the sky have aligned. A peduncle can mean that beautiful, fragrant flowers are coming your way, but can also mean dried up, blasted buds will curse your dreams. I’ve learned that peduncles are a gamble like so many other things.

For whatever reason, many of my Hoyas have a mind to make some blooms this spring. Here are the Hoyas from my collection that are currently forming flowers.

Hoya lacunosa – This plant is a prolific bloomer and is dripping with peduncles. It actually began blooming for me the same year that I bought it as a small rooted cutting. It tends to take a month or so of a break in between bloom times and then it’s right back to being covered in blooms. If you want a super fast grower and an easy bloomer, I’d recommend H. lacunosa for sure.

Hoya macrophylla albo marginata – These Hoya blooms act differently than any of the other Hoyas I have bloomed. The peduncle is covered with buds, but does not mature all of the buds to bloom at the same time as pictured below. The star-shaped flowers are a light blush pink color.

Hoya ‘Rebecca’ – The ruby red leaves on this Hoya are a treat for the eyes and the blooms are just as lovely. My ‘Rebecca’ had a few weeks of rest after its last blooms, but the peduncles are gearing up for another big show. This plant is very generous with its blooms.

Hoya wayetii variegata – There is only one peduncle on this plant, but it’s already a beauty. Even before the blooms have opened. The size of this umbel is impressive, it’s similar in size to a Hoya carnosa bloom. I’m really excited to see these blooms open!

Hoya sp. rangsan – I don’t want to take credit that I don’t deserve…this poor Hoya isn’t blooming for me because I’ve done a good job growing it. We’ve had a personality conflict which resulted in root rot and H. rangsan’s almost death. It panicked and threw out about 8 or 9 peduncles in a wild attempt to procreate. It bloomed once already, but I’m not sure that the buds that still remain will make it to a bloom. Only time will tell.

Hoya obovata – Only two peduncles have formed so far on this plant. It’s about a year and half old and has grown a lot of leaves. The peduncles have been on the plant for about four months; buds form and then blast. It feels frustrating; like I may never see an obovata bloom. I’m thinking that an up pot may give this plant the “kick in the pants” it needs.

Hoya sp. aff burtoniae – This plant was the first Hoya that ever bloomed for me and it has not rested since. I’ve had blooms from this lovely Hoya for almost a year and a half now…nonstop. The whole plant is covered with peduncles and blooms in all stages of maturity.

I hope your Hoyas are making peduncles to celebrate spring!

Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.

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Products I use and (therefore) recommend:

Planty friends – Feel free to use these links to the products that I use for my houseplants.  I receive a small percentage of any sales through these links, so feel free not to use them if that bothers you.

Horticultural 1/4” pumice – https://amzn.to/2KfcNPT

Horticultural perlite – https://amzn.to/3f9wwvE

Coco coir – https://amzn.to/2UBBiZF

Orchid Bark – Extra small chips – https://amzn.to/38OXWWJ

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Earthworm castings – https://amzn.to/38TRkGw

Coco Loco potting mix – https://amzn.to/2UHV3OY

GE Balanced Spectrum grow light bulb – https://amzn.to/3fdeAAu

Monios L LED grow lights – 2 ft. – https://amzn.to/391NmeS

Heat Mat (for propagating) – https://amzn.to/2MSezbk

Heat Mat w/ Thermostat – https://amzn.to/2PIjCwc

Bonsai scissors – https://amzn.to/33a6F29

Hygrometer (humidity monitor) – https://amzn.to/32WtiqO

Moisture meter sticks – https://amzn.to/35FR7Vk

Horticultural charcoal – https://amzn.to/2UKOv25

Organic houseplant fertilizer liquid – https://amzn.to/3pIb7ij

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Espoma Rose Tone (fertilizer for roses and flowering perennials) – https://amzn.to/3m8OGkU

Full disclosure – the last four product links will be much cheaper if you can find them in your local garden center.  I’ve put them here so that you can see what they are called and what they look like, but I’d advise that you buy from these links only as a last resort.