Hoya

Q. I purchased a Hoya plant. It didn't come with directions except for watering. Could you tell me what needs to be done so I can get it to bloom. I have heard the flowers are real fragrant. I live in Wisconsin so I don't know if I could put it outside in the summer.

A. Hoya needs plenty of good indirect light during the summer and fall to bloom. They tend to become more floriferous as the days get longer. The flowers are waxy and in clusters with a beautiful fragrance. Be sure not to prune off the leafless vines called spurs as they tend to bloom on the same ones year after year! The foliage can be solid green but some varieties are variegated with white and other colors.

Keep the plants moist but allow the surface to dry out before rewatering. Supply a well-drained soil mix lightened with perlite. I recommend flowering house plant food given only when the vines are growing and blooming. Do not repot until quite root-bound as they need that compactness to bloom.

During the winter they need a semi-dormancy with less water light and food. Plants can be easily propagated with stem cuttings in all times but the winter.

Q. I was wondering if you could tell me the name of a houseplant I wish I could send you a picture but I don't have one. It grows like an ivy sort of grabs into things it has oval shaped dark green leaves and gets little pink bunches of flowers on it funny looking things not at all like a normal flower they look like one till you see it up close then they look like bunches and similar to a plastic looking flower. I hope you can give me an idea of what this plant is I've had it for a very long time last year was the first year it got blossoms.

These questions are the hardest on me for I cannot see the plant and say Oh yes that is called...

I suspect Hoya. Do you know that plant?  I have a webpage here below for you to browse through. It is the most complete one on Hoya that I know with lots of color pictures of the growth and flowers called bracts. Let me know if this is the plant. It is rather waxy and the flowers do indeed seem plastic.

Be sure not to overwater it but supply good humidity [it is a tropical climber] and indirect light for optimum growth. They bloom sporadically but once they have started they should bloom yearly for you!