Hoya Kerry is often called the "green heart" and "Hoya Valentine" for her appearance. Indeed, a leaf of a plant is very similar in shape to a heart. He is often given on Valentine's Day, when he has only one piece.
External characteristics
The stems of an adult plant reach a great length and require support. In the wild, hoya grows on a tree like a liana. Hoya Kerry has several subspecies that differ in the shape and color of the leaves:
- kerrii Variegata - has a yellow color in the center of the leaf;
- Spotted Leaves - with speckled leaves;
- Spot center - elongated sheet with a motley color in the center;
- Albomarginata - with white edges.
All subspecies have very fleshy leaves, because of which the veins are practically not visible. Have the form of an inverted heart with a length of 5 to 15 cm, width varies in the same range.
Flowers from 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter. Their white color may be diluted with yellow or pinkish. Umbellate inflorescences. The intensity of the light changes the brightness of the colors. With age, the plant produces more nectar, which gives the flowers a dark tone. When flowering hoya produces persistent aroma.
Home care
Since hoya needs a specific substrate, it is advisable to transplant the plant after purchase. Young plants change every year, then - every three years.
For transplanting a pot is always chosen more roomy than the previous one. During transplantation you need to remove too long shoots.
Priming
The best substrate for Khoi Kerry will be such a mixture:
- sod land - 2 parts;
- peat - 1 part;
- sand - 1 part;
- humus - 1 part.
If necessary, sphagnum moss is added to retain moisture. But here the main thing is not to overdo it; stagnant moisture at the roots can be detrimental to the plant. Substrate must be loose and breathable.. Charcoal and crushed bark are also added to the mixture. For top dressing complex fertilizers are used.
Temperature
Homeland hoyi - rainforests, so it is hard to endure the cold. Ideal for normal growth and maintenance of the decorative look is temperature from 22 ° to 25 ° C. When the air temperature drops below 15 °, the plant is sick and the leaves on it turn yellow. The room where the plant is located, you need to air regularly.
Lighting and watering
Ideally, hoya should be lit 14-16 hours a day. If the plant will be in a too dark room, you can never see its flowering. But the scorching sun rays are undesirable - they burn leaves. The best option is a window to the west or east.
In summer and spring slightly more abundant watering is allowed. For irrigation, only soft and separated water is suitable.
Air humidity
The humidity of the air in the room is often insufficient, the leaves need to be sprayed. When hoya blooms, it is important not to drench the flowers and buds. To increase the humidity, you can place a container filled with water under the plant.
Breeding
Hoya can multiply in three ways:
- layering;
- cuttings;
- seeds.
More often flower growers huyu cuttings. This is done in the fall or spring. An escape is cut that has at least two pairs of leaves. For rooting, placed in water or a moistened substrate. with a temperature of at least 20 ° C. After 3-4 weeks, roots will appear, and the cuttings are transplanted into small pots. With this method of reproduction, the plant will delight in flowers for 4 years.
Those who wish to see the flowers in the first year can use another method for reproduction. stem cuttings. To do this, make an incision on one of the shoots, tie wet moss with a twine and wrap it with a film. After some time, roots will appear at the site of the incision. Now the shoot needs to be cut so that there are roots in the lower part and transplanted into a pot. After the appearance of 3-4 leaves the plant should be pinned, it will make hoya branching.
Bloom
Young plants do not bloom very willingly, but when the green mass of the plant rises, we can expect rapid flowering. The smell of flowers is sometimes specific, but more often fragrant and always strong. After flowering, it is not necessary to trim the flower stalks, buds may reappear on them.
Liana in a pot
Hoya Kerry belongs to perennials and grows rather slowly, but for lovers of indoor plants it is a plus, as in nature the stem can reach a length of 10 meters! For the sake of preserving the decorative, long shoots sometimes have to be cut.
Pests and diseases
Spider mite and thrips
The main condition for the appearance of spider mites - excessively low air humiditytherefore the plant needs to be sprayed regularly.
The appearance of the parasite can be identified by the appearance of yellow spots on the leaves and cobwebs. If the tick has had time to spread strongly, it should be treated with a flyerm.
Thrips also love dry air, spraying is used to prevent their occurrence. For the fight, you can use chemicals or use a folk remedy.
To prepare it, 15 g of crushed garlic or onion need to fill in 1 liter of water, mix and strain. Infusion need to wash the plant, and to increase the effect on it you can wear a plastic bag. Remove in a day.
Shchitovka
Uitovka parasitizes the whole plant and feeds on its juice. Their destruction begins with a manual collection, then the plant is washed with concentrated soapy water. Per liter of water - 20 g of soap. Then apply the same garlic or onion solution as against thrips. The same solution is applicable for prophylaxis.
The plant may become ill due to illiterate care. Too abundant watering causes not only the roots to rot, but also the stems and leaves. If this happens, all affected parts are cut out. Slices need to be treated with activated charcoal. Too cold water can cause the rot.
All representatives of tropical flora love heattherefore it is not allowed to overcool the plant. Compliance with simple rules of care will allow an exotic flower to feel in your apartment as well as in its distant homeland.
A photo
Next you will see a photo of care at home for the flower Hoya Kerry:
