The Hoya Fungii is known for its beautiful flowers and intricate veiny leaves. These green vine-y plants climb whatever they can cling to and blossom with fragrant flowers that can liven up any living room. What people like most is how easy it is to care for a Hoya Fungii.
You don’t need any expensive materials or fancy whatchamacallits to take care of this plant. You only need some love, fertilizer, good old pots, and a green thumb. More than anything else, you need consistency and diligence to keep it healthy and growing.
Caring for the Hoya Fungii
The Hoya Fungii is an epiphyte native to the forests of Asia. They are climbers and can be spotted coiling around the branches of trees. Though these plants can brave the mercurial conditions of Asian forests, they will have difficulty adjusting to life in a pot without some care.
You don’t have to be worried that much because the Hoya Fungii is less needy compared to other plants. There are some general dos and don’ts that we believe you should know about factors like:
- Light intensity
- Temperature
- Soil pH
- Potting and Soil
- Pruning
- Watering
- Fertilizing the soil
All of these essential factors have been explained below. The only thing waiting between you and a beautiful, flower-laden Hoya Fungii is the implementation of these instructions.
Light Intensity
As explained above, the Hoya Fungii grows in the dense forests of Southeast Asia, specifically China. These plants are rarely exposed to direct sunlight. A Hoya Fungii in the wold usually remains close to the middle height of the forest, protected by the canopy.
Naturally, if you grow the Hoya Fungii in a backyard, you should keep it protected from direct sunlight. Intense sunlight can wreak havoc on its leaves and destroy its peduncles. You should give them indirect sunlight. Remember to keep them at least 9 to 10 inches away from the light source.
Temperature
These plants adapt well to moderately hot and humid conditions. For people living in cold countries, you will need to keep the Hoya Fungii in a heated room. Cold is to the Hoya Fungii, what fire is to a ton of cotton. Try to keep it away from windows or unheated places.
If you live in a warm region, congratulations, you don’t have to do a thing during the summers if it’s protected from direct sunlight. During the winters, don’t let the temperature around your plant fluctuate too much.
PH of the Soil
Like most Hoyas, the Hoya Fungii needs neutral soil. Acidic soil will destroy its roots, just like basic soil. However, if you have to err between slightly acidic or basic soil, go for acidic. Soils with a pH of 5 or more will do. However, soils with a pH greater than 7 are no go.
You can keep the soil in the neutral range by liming it or adding acidic materials like Sphagnum peat. Liming will reduce the acidity of your soil, while Sphagnum peat etc., will make it more acidic.
You should never add these together. Check the pH of your soil and add either a basic or acidic compound based on the results.
Potting and Soil
A Hoya Fungii has shallow roots like most of the other Hoyas. It means that a Hoya Fungii cannot thrive in dense soil. The roots will also fail to expand and grow in soils that are too moist. You need soil that drains well. You also need to use a pot that allows for water drainage.
Pruning
You have the option of pruning them more or less, but you should never prune more than 25 to 30 percent of your plant at once unless the leaves are discolored or cluttered. Cutting off a massive chunk of your plant is something that will permanently hinder its growth.
Another necessary pruning caution is never to prune the peduncles. Hoyas blossom through their peduncles periodically. You also have to give your Hoya Fungii some sort of support to grow. Don’t expect them to grow while writhing on the ground.
Watering
The perfect growth for the Hoya Fungii is achievable by watering it right. Since these plants grow and bloom in warm weather, you will have to water them more throughout the summers. In winters, the Hoya Fungii experiences a dramatic reduction in growth, so you should water it rarely.
In summers, you should water it as soon as the topsoil dries up. In winters, you should wait for the middle soil or deep soil to dry up. Never overwater your Hoya Fungii. Waterlogging or too much water can lead to root problems and growth hindrances.
Maintaining the humidity of its environment is also important. For the Fungii, you need a stifling 40 percent or more humidity; talk about a sweaty plant.
Fertilizing the Soil
Aside from maintaining the pH of its soil, you also need to fertilize it. The better you fertilize the Hoya Fungii; the healthier and better its blossom will be. We recommend using a fertilizer that doesn’t affect its pH and is non-toxic.
A general rule of thumb is to fertilize your Hoya Fungii in its growing seasons. Fertilizing it in winter is counter-productive. Use a water-soluble fertilizer and dilute it to make it more receptive. Also, fertilize your plants only after watering them.
How do you propagate the Hoya Fungii?
You propagate the Hoya Fungii like any other Hoya. You can rely on the stem method or the seed method. Commercial growers of this plant rely on seeds. Since you are a home grower, you should use stems to get more of your Hoya Fungii.
You start by cutting a healthy stem at least 4 inches long, with a few green leaves. Don’t cut tender leaves; they won’t get past the initial stages. Trim the bottom leaves to give the potential roots room for growth.
Place the stems directly into the soil or in a water container. We recommend a water container to give it plenty of initial growth. Keep changing the water every few days.
Once the roots or new sprouts get an inch long, place them in ideal soil. With this, you can now say you know all about caring for a Hoya Fungii.
Conclusion
You have understood everything about caring for and propagating your Hoya Fungii. What you only have to do now is to invest yourself in the cause. If you remain consistent, you will soon find your Hoya Fungii, covered with beautiful white flowers.