Unveiling hoya: Myths debunked and tips for cultivation success
23 August 2024 08:29
Hoya once enjoyed popularity, but folk superstitions have led many people to stop cultivating it. It was believed the plant brings bad luck and financial problems. What is the truth?
Hoya belongs to the Apocynaceae family. There are 533 different species of this flower worldwide, each differing in size, colour, and appearance. It is known for its unique, small, pleasantly scented flowers resembling tiny stars. It is very easy to cultivate.
How to cultivate hoya?
Hoya naturally occurs in Australia and East Asia. It is classified as an epiphyte that grows on trees and bushes. In Canada, it is cultivated exclusively indoors. It grows slowly, reaching 70 to 100 centimetres. It feels best in a warm, well-lit place.
How to care for hoya: It should be planted in light, permeable, fertile, and well-drained soil. Although it loves humidity, it is very sensitive to overwatering. How often should it be watered? Once a week, using lukewarm, filtered water.
Depending on the species, its leaves can be intensely green or white. A few years after planting, small star-shaped flowers appear. They emit a very pleasant, sweet scent, which is probably related to folk superstition.
A plant that brings bad luck
Canada abounds with folk superstitions. They are concerned with trivial matters, people, and plants. Hoya is one of the flowers around which many myths have arisen. According to some tales, a blooming hoya is supposed to bring bad luck to household members. If it produces many flowers, it is a sign that financial problems may occur shortly. This is a myth, as no scientific evidence supports it.
Hoya is a very grateful plant that serves as a true decoration for the interior. It does not require much work. Please place it in a warm, well-lit spot, water it regularly, and mist its leaves. During intense flowering starting in May and ending in October, it should be fertilized with a potassium-rich fertilizer. This treatment should be repeated once a month. Follow these rules, and the hoya will be covered with a cascade of flowers.
