I have not been lucky enough to have any seed pods on my own Hoyas. I grow all my Hoyas indoors and there are no pollinators in my tents. The next best thing to growing my own seed pod is to procure one to experiment with. As usual, Kirsten Dyer from Small Batch Tropicals came through for me. I was able to get a H. krohniana splash x unknown seed pod from her. Sadly, the seed pod itself was mostly dried up when it came in the mail. I would love to see how a fresh pod looks in person. I wasn't 100% what all goes into getting a seed pod ready for market. I watched a few videos from people I consider prominent Hoya growers such as Doug from Vermont Hoyas or Ric Morier. It seemed like they didn't separate their seeds at all but just planted them straight away fluff and all. The fluff or seed head (if I have my terminology correct) is like a spider web you cannot get off your fingers that traps the seeds. From the seeds I observed in the mesh bag, some of them were very plump and arrow shaped while others looked dried out or very thin/straight. My assumption is that the thin dried out seeds are most likely duds. However, I have heard that sometimes seeds like these are still viable so I planted all my suspected dud seeds to see if I get any seedlings. In short, it isn't necessary to remove the fluff but more of a personal preference. I've planted seeds both with fluff and without and it doesn't seem to make a difference. I think sorting seeds is definitely a good idea especially if you plan on selling them. Seeds for personal use don't really need sorted unless again it comes down to your personal preference.
07/21/2022 - Dud Update The suspected dud seeds did not sprout. I'm sure this isn't the case for all Hoya seeds but for this pod my prediction was accurate.
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I have made a few more changes to my fertilizer line up since September so I figured I would do another update.
Semi-hydro (LECA / PON) plants: - Stopped using Osmocote - Still using Cal-Mag - Started Fox Farm Cultivation Nation (3-part liquid fertilizer) The cultivation nation can be used in soil or semi-hydro. Click here to access the feeding charts. I use the semi-hydro dilution chart in BOTH my semi-hydro and soil plants. Note that the diluted strengths of the feeding charts differ between semi-hydro and soil. I like how the feeding chart takes in account the use of the Cal-Mag. Soil plants: - Still using Osmocote - Still using Cal-Mag - Started Fox Farm Cultivation Nation (3-part liquid fertilizer) - Stopped Grow Big fertilizer I did like the Grow Big fertilizer but I stopped using it because I didn't want to be using too many products and risk fertilizer burn. Click here to read about my previous fertilizer update Sep 2021 . Click here to read about my previous fertilizer update May 2021 . I have been saying for months that I was going to downsize my collection. At the height of my collecting, I had over 300 Hoyas contained within 3 grow tents. It was a thrill to be receiving multiple packages a week each with a new Hoya to add to my collection. There really are so many interesting ones to buy. However, it became harder to enjoy my plants because I was always trying to keep up with the maintenance. Being able to properly attend to my plants and enjoy them is really important to me in this hobby. I finally have been able to keep the ones I love and sell the ones that I can live without. Currently, I have about 45 Hoya's in my collection give or take a few. It feels so great! I think the lesson I learned is to not get caught up in having to have the latest/greatest and nurturing what I have. I've even been able to take out a few shelves so now my plants have more room to grow! I'm really enjoying having bigger more mature plants. Sometimes I still get the urge to cut them back but I talk myself out of it. Don't forget to enjoy the hobby and your plants. Podcast Listening Reccomendations: Bloom and Grow Radio Episode 43 Your Brain on Plants Potted Together Podcast Overconsumption of Plants |
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