Hoya bella

Posted under Blooming plants by ruola

Water: heavy

Light: much indirect sun

Temperature: 22-25

Blooming: may - july

The origin of Hoya goes to India, Thailand and China. The plant is named after English gardener T. Hoya. 

In winter Hoya takes rest and the best temperature during this period is +15. No spray and heavy watering in winter. Hoya can live through winter in higher temperature but it will mean that next blooming won’t be rich.

There is also another type of Hoya - Н. camosa R. Br (see the picture). The flowers are almost the same. The main difference lies in leaves: Hoya camosa has bigger thick dark green leaves. It also looks very beautiful and moreover it is less capricious.

Both types of Hoya can serve as a good decoration of your house. Hoya Bella looks gorgeous in hanging pots and the same true for Hoya camosa which you can also put somewhere on the window-sill or a table where its tiny diamonds will boost your spirits during rainy days.  

Hoya flowers are like small diamonds maybe this is why its name includes latin word ‘bella’ - beatuful.

The surprising thing about Hoya’s flowers is that it looks like so as if it consists of two seperate flowers glued together. The flower also represents a contrast. The white part of the flower is soft and delicate while the pink crown is firm. The plant is remarkable by rich blooming - during the blooming period you can see numerous clusters throughout the whole plant. It’s not recommended to touch or move the plant during blooming.

Talking about other requirements it is important to mention that Hoya likes a lot of sun but not direct.

Water and spray the plant thoroughly in spring and summer. Hoya likes when the room is well ventilated though cannot be put outside. When clusters fade and fall do not touch those places where these clusters were because next year clusters will appear at the very same place and it’s important not to damage those spots.

In winter Hoya takes rest and the best temperature during this period is +15. No spray and heavy watering in winter. Hoya can live through winter in higher temperature but it will mean that next blooming won’t be rich.

There is also another type of Hoya - Н. camosa R. Br (see the picture). The flowers are almost the same. The main difference lies in leaves: Hoya camosa has bigger thick dark green leaves. It also looks very beautiful and moreover it is less capricious.

Both types of Hoya can serve as a good decoration of your house. Hoya Bella looks gorgeous in hanging pots and the same true for Hoya camosa which you can also put somewhere on the window-sill or a table where its tiny diamonds will boost your spirits during rainy days.

Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

Posted under Blooming plants, Succulents by ruola

 

Water: moderate/generous in summer and spring, moderate/sparing in winter

Light: direct summer during a blooming period, moderate in winter time

Temperature: 16-18

Blooming: February till May

 

Kalanchoe blooms with numerous tiny flowers about 1 cm in diameter collected in clusters. The flowers color can be red, pink, yellow, violet and others. The plant belongs to succulent group.

Kalanchoe came to us from South Africa.

The best time for seeds is April when temperature is not very high.

 Reasons to have this plant in your house.

1. Kalanchoe is one of the most popular indoor plants thanks to its low requirements and a generous blooming.

2. There was a tradition to give Kalanchoe as a present for Christmas. Nowadays you can present it on a different holiday.

3. It is a compact plant which you can put even on a narrow window-sill.

4. The plant is easy to combine with other plants.

 

 If you want this plant to bloom on a certain date you need to put it into light for 8-10 hours every day. This should last for 4-6 weeks after that it starts blooming. When flowers fade remove them and put the plant into a shady place for about a month.

 Tips. Do not overwater this plant. In summer the soil should remain wet slightly, in winter – almost dry.

In winter put it in a light but a cool place (10-15˚C). In summer make sure there is no hot sun shining directly on the plant. (This is though a general rule for many plants with tender thin leaves).When the outside temperature is high enough it will be good to put your Kalanchoe outside on the balcony or in a garden. Replant Kalanchoe yearly in spring or if worst comes to worst once in two years.