Scientific Name
Hoya macgillivrayi F. M. Bailey
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Marsdenieae
Genus: Hoya
Description
Hoya macgillivrayi is a fast-growing climber with twining stems that bear oval pointed leaves. It is one of the most spectacular species in the genus. The leaves are light green and set opposite each other on the stems.
The flowers are up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) across and appear on long stalks in umbels of 6 to 10 flowers radiating from a central axis. They are rich burgundy and made up of five sepals and five waxy petals. Fruits mature into a pair of hanging, up to 10 inches (25 cm) long follicles.
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Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 11a to 11b: from 40 °F (+4.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Hoyas do not ask for much beyond the well-draining soil and the warm, humid conditions that many tropical flowers crave. They do not like wet feet or heavy soil, and as many grow as epiphytes in nature. Give them at least a half-day of sunshine and bring them indoors when temperatures drop below 50 °F (10 °C).
When your Hoya finishes blooming, leave the flower stalk, as it may produce new flowers—removing the stalk forces the plant to produce a new stalk, which delays blooming and wastes energy. These plants are light feeders, and a monthly drink of compost tea or dilute fish emulsion provides all the nutrition these tropicals need. Hoyas like the security of a snug pot, and plants that are a bit root-bound will flower more prolifically than those swimming around in a giant pot.
Propagate Hoyas by cuttings of top growth or by leaf cuttings. The average cutting or leaf will produce a blooming plant in 2 years or less. The easiest method of propagation is by layering.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Hoya.
Origin
Hoya macgillivrayi is native to northeastern Australia.
Links
- Back to genus Hoya
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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