Plant enthusiast shares his new journey in gardening
Ever since I hopped on the gardening bandwagon, I’ve been testing out various methods and trends to keep things interesting.
Whether it’s sticking a random aerial root into a water-filled vessel or experimenting with different propagation techniques, I’ve given them all a shot. I just can’t stand the idea of sitting around with idle hands.
Sure, my plant collection has slowed down over the years, and I’m not as glued to online plant content as before. Yet, there’s this innate urge to inject a bit of creativity into how I nurture my plants.
Which leads me to my current gardening project – crafting hoya towers, which demand years of dedication.
It’s about meticulous staking and trellising, guiding hoyas to stand tall and bushy. The goal? A spectacle of lush blooms in the flowering season.
Now, intrigued by the prospect of transforming plants into green skyscrapers? Let’s explore the practical steps, tailored especially for hoyas.
Handpick the perfect hoya variety
Choose a variety with that charming vining or hanging growth. Consider the nooks and crannies of your space, and pay heed to the unique lighting conditions that hoyas fancy.
Each hoya type carries its own allure, so pick the one that vibes with your vision for the botanical tower.
The hoyas that have blossomed into towering green marvels in my garden are mainly the robust, large-leafed varieties, lovingly referred to as dinner-plate hoyas.
Particularly, the hoya obovate stands out like a formidable beast, resembling Cousin It from the Addams Family.
Aptly named, these hoyas boast the potential to sprawl out as expansively as their moniker implies – a true chonker in the hoya world. Their colossal potential makes them ideal for hoya towers, promising a quicker transformation into lush, bushy displays.
Craft a solid base tailored for hoyas
Lay the groundwork for your hoya skyscraper with a robust pot that knows the drill when it comes to efficient drainage – something that hoyas adore.
Ensure stability for your growing hoyas by investing in stakes, trellises, or your own handcrafted support system, all designed to cater to the eventual height of your green haven.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with various trellises, from standard wooden stakes to metal frameworks. Surprisingly, my newfound love lies in the simplicity of bamboo stakes, conveniently procured from the weekend plant market.
These aren’t your typical bamboo or rattan stakes seen in other places – they’re true raw bamboo, untouched by sanding or beautification. Yet, when paired with the untamed aesthetic of hoyas, these unadorned stakes become the perfect complement.
Plant with hoya sensibilities
When settling your hoyas into their new home, opt for a soil mix that caters specifically to their needs, ensuring the pot is spacious enough to cradle hoya roots as they stretch.
This foresight becomes crucial when delving into the realm of towers that possibly take years to form. In my case, this involves not fully submerging the plant in its medium, irrespective of its drainage properties.
Typically, I plant hoyas only halfway up the vessel. As they grow, vines sprout aerial roots. This allows for a systematic pruning of lower vines, creating more opportunities for roots.
Over time, I gradually backfill the vessel with well-draining soil. This approach ensures the tower is truly a lived-in plant, minimising the risk of root rot and providing ample space and time for the hoya to grow at its own pace.
Choreograph your hoya vines
The magic of crafting hoya towers lies in the gentle dance of guiding and intertwining those vines along the chosen support structure.
The process of molding typically cascading hoyas into a vertical and bushy elegance can be surprisingly therapeutic.
Regularly checking your tower and adjusting the vines accordingly becomes a mindful and rewarding practice.
When hoya vines are young, they are incredibly pliable. Listen to the hoyas and observe where they’re willing to bend. In my experience, it’s generally safer and easier to bend them counter-clockwise.
As you bend the hoya vines downwards, you’ll notice the potential for new vines to sprout from those nodes. Hoyas have a natural tendency to climb, and this process accelerates the development of that desired bushy appearance.
Embrace the slow bloom of hoya grandeur
Finally, relish the unhurried blooming of hoya grandeur, recognising that cultivating hoya skyscrapers is an exercise in patience.
The true celebration unfolds during the hoya’s flowering season, when your tower metamorphoses into a captivating display of lush blooms – a breathtaking reward for your dedication and horticultural finesse.
Take pride in the triumph of nurturing your hoya creation, and generously share the exquisite beauty of your hoya botanical masterpiece with fellow plant enthusiasts. – Wardi Wasil
