What is the difference between Hoya Wayetii and Kentiana?

Hoyas are famously difficult to tell apart even pros occasionally make an error! At first glance, the Kentiana and Wayetii may appear to be nearly identical, especially after looking through countless images available online. Both have spear-shaped leaves, similar blossoms, and patterns in green and maroon.

However, a Hoya Wayetii is more likely to be encountered than a Kentiana. While Hoya Kentiana has longer leaves than Hoya Wayetii, this advantage is most apparent when both plants are fully matured.

Kentiana and Wayetii are nearly always distinguished by the color of their pedicel and peduncle. To review, the pedicel and peduncle are the flower-bearing stem portions. The pedicel of Hoya Kentiana is pink, but the pedicel of Wayetii is green.

Additionally, the Hoya Kentiana flowers have a lighter fascia color, albeit this is variable depending on the amount of sunlight received. My Kentiana and Wayetii have not yet bloomed—but when compared side by side, it is very clear that they are unique plants.

Is Hoya Kentiana rare?

Hoya Kentiana is a somewhat rare succulent vine. The Hoya Kentiana Variegata cultivar is much more unusual. Hoyas are sometimes misinterpreted, so keep the rarity of the Hoya Kentiana in mind when purchasing one. Don’t be deceived by the name “Kentiana,” which is synonymous with the more frequently available Hoya Kentiana.

Hoya Kentiana Variegata, on the other hand, is a terrestrial (ground-root) cultivar. If you acquire this plant from a local nursery, it will be misidentified to the point that the majority of people will be unaware they have purchased it.

How fast does Hoya Kentiana grow?

The Hoya Kentiana is not renowned for its quick growth quite the opposite is true. They have the potential to reach a height of two feet (when climbing) if supplied with adequate light, water, and humidity; however this may take several years. Pruning the Hoya Kentiana will have no effect on its growth.

Due to its slow growth rate, it does not require regular repotting, which is fairly convenient. If the container is too small, the plant’s growth may likely be stunted. This Hoya, on the other hand, is particular about repotted plants, so proceed with caution. Repotting will cause the plant to enter a phase of dormancy that may last many weeks.

How do you care for a Hoya Kentiana?

Kentiana is a relatively low-maintenance Hoya plant. It is not as demanding as an Orchid or African violet, for example. Keeping it alive assures the following:

Light

We would advise against purchasing a Hoya Kentiana if you reside in an area with little natural light. They need strong indirect light and will grow when provided with a couple of hours of morning or evening sunlight.

Take care not to expose it for a lengthy amount of time throughout the day to direct sunlight. This may result in the leaves catching fire, causing permanent harm. A position with dappled shade and ample light is ideal for your Hoya Kentiana to grow.

Soil

Hoya Kentiana grows best in a peat-based potting mix. Your plant will thrive in a soil combination comprised of one part peat moss and one part perlite. If peat moss is unavailable, any chunkier, bark-rich soil mix will suffice.

If you’ve previously read one of our “custom built” soil mix instructions, you’re already aware that a ratio of one part perlite to one part orchid bark to one part conventional growers mix is excellent for succulent-like plants and the majority of Hoyas. It gives your plant with a well-draining, aerated growing media, reducing water buildup and root rot.

Watering

Watering your Hoya Kentiana is same to watering any other Hoya or plant. It prefers that the soil remains quite dry in between watering. This is useful since it reduces the need to check and water it continually.

Its requirements change throughout the season, and you will need to modify the quantity of water it receives dependent on your plant’s activity at the moment. Irrigate your Hoya when the soil becomes dry throughout the growing season.

Humidity

Hoya Kentiana are tropical plants, requiring greater amounts of humidity. However, regular misting or a humidity tray can be used in place of a humidity dome or terrarium’s excess humidity.

Temperature

Temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 26 degrees Celsius) are ideal for your Hoya Kentiana. During the spring and summer, this temperature will be ideal for it. Maintain it between 55 and 60°F (13 and 15°C) in the winter and no lower than 45°F (7°C) in the summer.

These temperatures will encourage flowering in the late spring and early summer of the following growth season. Avoid cold temperatures; it is not a hardy plant and will suffer frost damage or perish.

This means that if you live in a temperate climate with significantly lower winter temperatures, you should store it away from doors, windows, and drafts.

Fertilizer

You may apply synthetic fertilizers once a month throughout the spring and summer growing seasons if you prefer the convenience. Next irrigation, dilute it to half strength and fertilize your Hoya Kentiana the following day.

Propagation

While propagating this plant is neither simple nor straightforward, it is entirely possible and there is no reason not to give it a try. I’ll talk about heat mats and rooting hormones, but don’t be alarmed.

How Do You Propagate Hoya Caudata Sumatra?

How do you care for Hoya Heuschkeliana?

How do you propagate Hoya Kentiana?

Although propagating the Hoya Kentiana plant is not easy, it is totally possible and you should give it a try. Heat mats and rooting hormones are not to be feared.

Herbaceous stems are the simplest way to grow Hoya Kentiana. For optimal results, choose non-flowering stems with at least two nodes and some leaves early in the summer. Let’s take it one step at a time:

Select and cut. Always begin with cuttings that are healthy and free of pests and diseases. Choose one or more and ensure that the mother plant lives.

Reduce the length of two nodes. Dip the stem of your cutting in rooting hormone. This is available at any nursery or garden center. Because Hoya Kentiana is a succulent Hoya species, no rooting hormone is necessary.

In the case of Hoya Kentiana, it takes a great deal of heat and moisture to force roots out. Rot is facilitated by heat and moisture, particularly in soil-rooted cuttings. To ensure the health of these young plants, we should limit their exposure to these environments.

Stem drenched with rooting hormone and ready to plant. To keep the nodes moist, pot it in a soil mix that has more organic matter than a mature plant’s soil mix.

Make it really hot and humid. Here’s how to do it. I required a propagation box to accommodate a large number of plants that required these conditions.

You may accomplish the same thing by obtaining a large plastic container or Tupperware, adding a glass or two of water for humidity, and storing it in a warm location.

Throughout the day, strive for a temperature of 70°F – 21°C or above. Do not be concerned if you are unable to do so naturally. Heat mats have been utilized by farmers and gardeners globally for a long period of time.

You may get them inexpensively on Amazon or at your local garden center or nursery. Miasma, miasma, miasma! Don’t forget to spray everyday your new cuttings. I seldom, if ever, wet my propagation box cuttings since misting does an excellent job.

Your objective is to create a miniature tropical forest with fast-rooting cuttings! Repot your Hoya Kentiana cuttings into a normal pot after three to four weeks.

Place them in a bright, warm spot and spray them frequently. Acclimatization to the change in humidity and temperature will take time. Allow them time and compassion, and they will quickly reawaken.

How do you repot a Hoya Kentiana?

Repotting it every two to three years is recommended. In this instance, the best course of action is to divide the root ball in half and replant half in a new pot. If your plant has outgrown its container, you may take this chance to discard it and replace it with a new one.

Your Hoya Kentiana may overrun its container if the margins of its leaves begin to darken owing to excessive watering. Additionally, it requires repotting if you observe new leaves sprouting from the plant’s core.

Before repotting your Hoya Kentiana, it is essential to ensure that it is totally dry. This will protect it and ensure that the fresh soil is watered promptly thereafter.

Assure that the soil is equally moist; if it is not, add additional soil or sand. This may be done with a spoon or a knife. Never use a stem or stem cuttings as rootstock on your Hoya Kentiana to prevent causing damage to the roots.

Where is the Hoya Kentiana from?

Like many other Hoya species, Hoya Kentiana originated in Southeast Asia. It is plentiful in the forests of the Philippines. Tropical rainforests are suitable habitats for the Hoya Kentiana since they are humid, warm, and densely forested.

What distinguishes the Hoya Kentiana is that it blooms at night, which means it is frequently pollinated by insects. On the other hand, bats and moths do, which is where their delectable butterscotch fragrance comes in handy.

What is Hoya Kentiana?

Hoya Kentiana is a tropical perennial with the most charming little butterscotch-scented blossoms. It has spear-shaped, pointed evergreen leaves with a vibrant crimson tip on one variegated variety.

When in bloom, the foliage is dark green, elongated, and pointed, and the flowers are burgundy scarlet with a golden crown. The waxy and thick foliage is sometimes referred to as Wax plants.

How often do I water my Hoya Kentiana?

The Hoya Kentiana just requires a moderate amount of water. As a consequence, the plant does not require regular watering.

Seasonal watering should be modified. From late spring to early summer, your Hoya requires a modest quantity of water (spring and summer). Plants rapidly lose moisture during the warmer seasons. It is considered the growing season of the plant, which is why water is so critical.

On the other hand, throughout the fall and winter seasons, the plant should receive less water. The plant is dormant throughout these seasons. They do not require nearly as much water throughout the cold months.

Avoid submerging or overwatering your Hoya to avoid more complications. Allow the soil to completely dry before watering the plant again.

How do I get my Hoya Kentiana to bloom?

If you’ve been caring for your Hoya Kentiana properly, you may be fortunate enough to see it blossom. Its star-shaped flowers will occur in clusters and, like those of other Hoya species, will have a butterscotch fragrance.

As previously indicated, the pedicels will be a creamy pink tint, and the flowers will be a rich burgundy red with yellow centers. These flowers will lack the hairs that many other Hoya flowers have, but they will seem waxy and juicy, attracting a variety of insects that I will detail later. The critical point to remember here is that Hoya Kentiana blooms from spurs.

These grow from the stem and may take time to bud, so do not remove them immediately upon noticing them. Because they may bloom many times from the same spur, do not cut the stems once the flowers have faded back a week or two after blossoming, or even at the season’s end.

According to the plant’s reputation as a drama queen, any movement or stress during the blooming season will result in the plant dropping all of its blooms.

As with other Hoyas, the fragrance of the bloom will be best in the early evenings and nights, as its pollinators are nocturnal critters that travel, dine, and hunt at night.

Why my Hoya Kentiana is drying?

Perhaps the container you’ve chosen is too small for a Hoya Kentiana. They develop rapidly in response to the amount of sunshine they get. This high growth rate may also cause your plant to dry out. Additionally, water this type of Hoya less frequently, especially if it is in a tiny container.

Finding the ideal container for your Hoya Kentiana may be difficult due to the rapid growth of this succulent plant; thus, do not simply place it in any container without first collecting measurements.

Water it simply enough to keep it hydrated, not excessively. Otherwise, your plant may succumb to death. In the summer, avoid exposing them to direct sunlight, since this may result in sunburn, which you do not want. Misting your plants as frequently as possible can assist in resolving this issue.

Your potting soil may be too dry for a Hoya Kentiana. For instance, while growing them from cuttings, the stems of the plant frequently dry up if the soil is too dry for a Hoya Kentiana.

Does Hoya Kentiana need humidity?

Hoya Kentiana are tropical plants, requiring greater amounts of humidity. However, regular misting or a humidity tray can be used in place of a humidity dome or terrarium’s excess humidity.

A humidity tray is a low-cost do-it-yourself way of boosting the humidity in the area around your plants. You place your pot on a saucer filled with pebbles and water to prevent the water from coming into direct contact with the bottom of the pot owing to the stones.

Water is not absorbed by the roots in this manner, but rather evaporates, raising the relative humidity surrounding your plant.

This is possible if you set your plant on a window sill or shelf, but if you wish to hang it, I recommend obtaining a humidifier. Avoid placing it near heating equipment or vents, as these sources of dry air can harm your plant.

Why my Hoya Kentiana leaves turning yellow?

There are seven most typical reasons for the yellowing of the leaves of your Hoya plant.

Overwatering

The most prevalent cause of yellow leaves on Hoya plants is over watering. This is more likely to happen if you are inexperienced with plant maintenance. We overwater because we are conditioned to believe that all plants require a great deal of moisture to grow. Your Hoya leaves will turn yellow if you use too much of the precious liquid.

Underwatering

Another frequent reason is a lack of irrigation. While Hoya plants may tolerate extended periods of drought, this does not mean the plant will not suffer. Both a shortage of water and an excess of water can induce yellowing of the leaves.

Poor soil drainage

Hoya plants require adequate soil drainage since they do not tolerate excessive moisture retention between watering. Even if the plant is adequately watered, its leaves may turn yellow if the soil does not drain properly. This may be remedied by purchasing a well-draining soil or mixing your own.

When it comes to pots, ensure that they have drainage holes that are well-positioned and large enough to avoid being clogged. Root rot is caused by excessive watering and insufficient drainage and is difficult to treat since it is not immediately visible.

Fortunately, the solution to a container’s insufficient drainage is straightforward. Expand the holes or place the pot on some stones to promote drainage. That is how one of the Hoya plant’s problems will be resolved.

Inadequate nutrition

A deficiency of nitrogen and potassium may cause the bottom leaves of your plant to yellow and eventually fall off. The medical word for this condition is Chlorosis. Not only is this one of the most prevalent Hoya plant diseases, but also affects other plants. Hoya leaves go yellow and fall as a result of insufficient nutrients.

Age

Aging is a natural process that occurs in all living things. Plants are no exception. And, just like our hair grays with age, the leaves do as well.

Cold and drafts

Another trait that all tropical species have is an aversion to cold air and drafts. Their foliage turns yellow in the winter, so keep the plant away from drafty areas or air conditioners. Additionally, if you reside in a four-season climate, ensure that the room temperatures do not go below 50°F (10°C).

Inadequate lighting

The wax plant needs both direct and indirect sunlight, as well as warm temperatures, to flourish. If you place your plant in an excessively shaded position, the leaves will yellow.

This is an issue if the side of the plant closest to the light source is green but the side furthest from the light source is pale green or yellow. Due to the fact that tropical plants prefer indirect light, avoid placing them in direct sunlight.

The solution to any Hoya plant problems caused by inadequate illumination is simpler than you would believe. Simply rotate the plant occasionally to ensure that each side receives enough amount of sunlight to produce chlorophyll, the chemical that gives the leaf its green color.

How much light does Hoya Kentiana needs?

The Hoya Kentiana is very light-sensitive and requires a lot of indirect light. However, increased light does not always mean increased growth, particularly in tropical plants. They are unaccustomed to the sun’s powerful, direct rays.

Indeed, intense sunlight will scorch the leaves and cause them to become brown. A few hours of direct sunlight in the early morning or late evening will enough for the Hoya Kentiana.

The Hoya Kentiana thrives in close proximity to a window that receives plenty of sunlight for a few hours each day, such as a south or east-facing window. Without proper light, the stems will become leggy and the leaves will lose their vibrant colors.