Choosing Hoya - Good News, Gents - Smaller is BETTER??

[@soberplantguy]

I'm such a fan of buying itty Hoya. What's your preference?

[@tubegoob1]

I like buying affordable cuttings locally and watching them grow.

[@soberplantguy]

I feel so fortunate to have these available locally.

[@soniacosgrove]

Your itty Hoyas are an impressive size! I have had the pleasure of connecting with someone who is an avid hoya collector in the city I just moved to and she has been a fabulous resource.

[@vstar1300a]

Thanks for starting this channel. I've just binge watched every episode and love your format and info. Keep up the great work. My new favourite plant content producer.

[@soberplantguy]

Holy smokes! Thank you, and I apologize for the early videos 🤣 Honestly, I just needed to hit record, and figure out how it works along the way. That's such a lovely compliment ☺

[@margaretcalifano1617]

Another advantage of buying smaller plants is it’s easier to check and clean them of any pests that came with it

[@soberplantguy]

Good point 😄

[@LindaEnfield]

95% of my Hoyas have been unrooted cuttings. The enjoyment of them rooting, growing and blooming is what I love ❤️ The rooted ones have been young plants that I’m pretty rough with as I always immediately take them out of their pots, wash the roots and repot in pon, sometimes they grumble a bit but generally not for too long. Latest count will be 64 Hoyas when my new cutting GPS 7240 arrives later this week

[@soberplantguy]

That’s cheating to count the GPS 7240!!! Obviously we’re on the same page with Hoya. Great joy in growing them up right.

[@LindaEnfield]

@@soberplantguy it’s already on the spreadsheet 😉…. Yeah, I’m sad, I have a spreadsheet with all my plant data ☺️. Happy growing 🪴

[@metsl1870]

I have a tendency to get small plants; I'll get two and plant them together..lol.😊

[@soberplantguy]

Argh! Forgot to mention that. Good shout 😀

[@Purrs_and_plants]

Couldn't agree more Dave, I have only ever bought hoya from cuttings. In the UK we don’t get full plants in “big box” stores where I’m from in the far north of England. It is far more satisfying growing from a couple of nodes as seeing your cutting turn into a plant!!

[@soberplantguy]

💯 I wouldn’t have it any other way. And I wouldn’t mind some of your humidity during the winter 😂

[@Purrs_and_plants]

@@soberplantguyyeah humidity is 1 word for it for the amount of moisture we have in the air 🌧️🌬️❄️

[@Diane-ex1os]

Hi Mr Sober 😎🐞, love your name there cute. But anyway I just wanted to tell you I’ve just found your videos and I love them 👌🏽you got me hooked I’ve been collecting Hoya every since my Daughter hooked me on them and my favorite is the Hoya Diner Plate I do like the larger leaf Hoyas but now watching you you’re tips on the substrate and caging is opening up a world 🌎 of more Hoyas for me 😘🥱👍🏼. And I must give you BIG Kudos for saying some of the Hoyas are way too expensive just crazy there’s no reason to Bleed people, you’re plants look Beautiful keep doing what you’re doing you’re pretty COOL 😎 GUY!! Thanks again from upstate New York 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@soberplantguy]

Wow--thank you! I sent this comment to my wife for proof, finally, that I am indeed cool 🤠

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

Well, well, well. If it isn’t Dave being awesome. Watched it twice. 🤗

[@soberplantguy]

First time for everything 😁

[@Lidia-ze5iu]

Awesome info....thanks for taking the time to film this...sooo appreciate you!!!❤❤❤

[@soberplantguy]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@phf3238]

Thanks!

[@soberplantguy]

This is awfully kind of you! Thank you 😊

[@ceciliapacheco6027]

I just love all your Hoya.

[@soberplantguy]

Thanks so much ☺

[@JessRabies]

I only bought one Hoya that I have in my collection as a large size only because there simply wasn't a smaller one available, and I really wanted that one. All the Hoya I have are babies - due to the fact that I have a small flat and like to watch them grow. My Hoya mathilde has grown from a few leaves to a medium size already, and it is my favourite Hoya for the reason that it has been with me the longest and gives me the most joy when it puts out a new leaf. ❤

[@soberplantguy]

Love her!! Grew mine from a little squirt, too. Jusssst about to bloom for the first time 😁

[@tubegoob1]

I currently have a Hoya Krohniana Super Siver Black cutting I'm trying NOT to kill.

[@soberplantguy]

I second that emotion 🤣

[@amyfbowers]

While I love big plants, there is no bigger thrill than watching the roots from a hoya cutting spread through the cup and cheering on each new leaf. :)

[@soberplantguy]

What a poetic way to put it! I love it ☺

[@amymarshall1829]

I think I'm "equal opportunity" with larger established plants and baby plants. I've only been collecting hoyas for about 18 months, so I like the instant gratification of a big beautiful plant. But I also enjoy the challenge of "fetching up" a baby plant. (I haven't struggled with the big ones tanking after I bring them home.) Also, I don't have a grow tent, so my plants are all in my living space. The big 'uns offer a lot of visual impact, but the little ones don't take up nearly as much space and allow me to have a greater variety. So, short story long, they are all welcome at Casa Amy. 😉

[@soberplantguy]

You're doing something right at Casa Amy 😁 Thanks for sharing!

[@hnelson5609]

Hoyaheadhoyaheadhoyahead😂 I'm drawn to the tiny leafed hoyas you show. I need to buy groceries instead of hoyas so your channel is perfect for me. Thank you for making vids!

[@soberplantguy]

What substrate do you use for ‘Groceries’ ??

[@grannyplants1764]

Hoya curtisii I is a great small leaved Hoya, does well in an east window 🌿

[@soberplantguy]

@@grannyplants1764 I had a chance to get a beautiful basket of this at a friends driveway sale, turned my back, and poof--gone 🤣

[@grannyplants1764]

@@soberplantguy aww It will come to you again! 🪴

[@hnelson5609]

​@@grannyplants1764Thank you for the suggestion! I appreciate it.

[@peggymalabuyoc9150]

Your Hoya Elephant is definitely a goal plant. I’ve never seen a mature one but it’s guaranteed to be awesome! Can’t wait to see yours mature. Great video as always. Take care. 👌🪴🥰

[@soberplantguy]

I'm pulling back the amount of light it's been getting, to get the larger, darker green leaves. I of course will be updating along the way 😁

[@deemari577]

Hey Dave. My hoya khao yai has grown like crazy in leca! Its probably a year and some months old from small cutting. The leaves are large green/black. I saw Miro's video on the hoyas elephant and piktai. The leaves look nothing alike. I wouldn't mind owning either one tho. Thanks for sharing as always! Dee, NY

[@soberplantguy]

Green/black?!! Mine was formally grown in very high light, and I'm going to be dialing that back. I hope mine does the same! Same with the 'Elephant.' Really love those dark green, pillowy leaves 😁 Great to hear from you, Dee ☺

[@deemari577]

@@soberplantguy Yes!

[@faithewarren-agee5604]

The Elephant is just a spectacular hoya.

[@soberplantguy]

💯

[@soniacosgrove]

This one has been on my wishlist for a while now!

[@soberplantguy]

@@soniacosgrove I was fully expecting to just wait for my seeds to grow up big and strong 💪🪴 But I think my delight at my friend setting me up with a nice plant comes through 🤣😁🤣

[@soniacosgrove]

@@soberplantguy That is awesome!

[@PauZakArtist]

Krohniana is so underrated.. I also got it as a small piece. now I have 4 pots with long vines. they are incredible when crowded too. I covered my large Monstera pot with it. Now their vines are crawling out the pot creating this nice jungle vibe .) loved the review!

[@soberplantguy]

First, thank you. Second, you are obviously much better at growing krohniana than I am (understatement of the year 🤣) Cheers from Iowa!

[@farmerswifesince95]

I totally agree. Small starter plants work best for me. My first hoya was a crimson queen and she was big and full. Until pieces started dying off. Now I just get 2 or 4 inch starters or a strand. I just got a nice piece of a patcharawalai from my favorite local garden center.

[@soberplantguy]

Nice! Those have such darling flowers 🤩 Of course I agree on your buying strategy. At least it has really worked out for me ☺

[@mayasixtus1573]

It depends on the price for me. I've got 2 6" hoya that are growing along happily, but usually l get a smaller plant.

[@cate7777]

I think the size thing depends on the plant. I have bought many 1 -2 leaf rooted cutting and it is difficult for me in my growing conditions to get them to grow well. And just because it is a 1-2 leaf cutting does not always mean cheap. Sometimes it's better to buy the more established plant even if it means paying more. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule. I haven't seen Miro's video yet, but I am getting the impression that there is a lot of confusion over what an "elephant"/ Pricktai Hoya is or are. Mine looks exactly like yours. The same humungous lime green billowy leaves. It was labelled Pricktai "elephant". Soooo... what exactly, do I have? 🤔

[@soberplantguy]

Hello! They look quite distinctly different. If it looks like mine, you got yourself an ‘Elephant ’ which I like better. I’ll be giving mine lower light to get the larger, darker green leaves. Cheers!

[@krisscrowdis1747]

My oldest Hoya is 41 years old.

[@soberplantguy]

Practically an adult now.... ☺

[@IndyPiasaka-eb4li]

Where can I buy the fertilizer you used?

[@soberplantguy]

I have the brand I use, Tezula, linked in my description. There are other brands of MSU fertilizer, but they are all identical--so I wouldn't pay a premium price to a boutique company. Cheers from Iowa!

[@IndyPiasaka-eb4li]

@@soberplantguy thank you

[@1faithchick7]

I have a really hard time finding decently priced hoya. Even cuttings online are 15+ dollars. I can buy a full plant for that of any other plant type. I can't make myself buy it for that high a price lol. If I could find some for like, 5-8 dollars I would buy the cuttings. Maybe I don't know where to look? Edit: forgot to say I look on Palmstreet, local nurseries, big box stores, and Etsy. My local nurseries only carry the basic ones I already have. If anyone has a good nursery I would love to know!

[@soberplantguy]

It's an enormous investment in time, energy, and resources to grow Hoya, propagate them, feed them, advertise them, ship them healthy, pest free, in nearly perfect condition. I spend three hours at minimum maintaining just the grow tent, every week of the year. Just some perspective on why we price them as we do. Cheers from Iowa ☺

[@SSaaNNddYY77]

I buy small starter plants as well... love to watch them grow! What is your favorite way to propagate Hoya?

[@soberplantguy]

I'm filming a big 'ol substrate challenge right now (7 substrates, 8?, with I think for genuses) ... anyway. For Hoya, if they have thicker stems, like 'Jennifer' I use the substrate they are going to grow in--unless they look really dehydrated, then it's perlite and water filled to brim. Thin stemmed or thin leaved Hoya, for the most part, go into perlite. Same with other types of plants, but I try not to propagate too many of those. (Space! Time! Energy!!) Cheers from Iowa City 😀

[@SSaaNNddYY77]

​@@soberplantguyThank you so much!!! Appreciate it.

[@neerajadamarla929]

Snall leaf hoyas are not my Jam and I think they sense my feelings as i killed 3 lacunosa's so far 😅

[@soberplantguy]

I’ve never been happier than RIPing that frealkin Super Silver 😂

[@Jadelifestyleplantenthusiast]

How to order Hoya from you? Would like to purchase if you have my Hoya Wish list? Happy planting 😊

[@soberplantguy]

Oh my gosh! I missed this message. Well, it may be too late, but I can always be reached at [e-mail] just in case. Cheers

[@Jadelifestyleplantenthusiast]

@@soberplantguy its all good. I will email for Hoya wish list if you have it. I’m also considering a trip to Iowa on October so maybe i can pickup my order somewhere close by.

[@reginatebow57]

Where can we find the plants you have for sale?

[@soberplantguy]

Just shoot me an email [e-mail] and I'll be happy to provide a list/pics etc. Cheers, and thank you ☺

[@kellymyers548]

My Khao Yai takes my breath away on the regular. It gets purpleish in low light and even has a touch of splash.

[@soberplantguy]

Oh, cool--I had no idea! Def going to be pulling this and shelving it with my lowerish light Hoya. Thanks so much!!

[@kellymyers548]

Yeah, I just kind of shoved it somewhere not great and it’s seemed happy so I left it there. I’m a big fan of my K Yai.

[@ceciliapacheco6027]

One day you have to come to Florida.and name my Hoyas,some off theme don’t have the name😢

[@soberplantguy]

I grew up down there, but haven't been back in a longggggg time. I bet it's still beautiful.

[@Amandasplants]

Yes agree i got most of mine small also i want that hoya lol

[@soberplantguy]

I wonder which one?

[@Wubblyt]

So your Hoya Rebecca is a killer Hoya as well… Don’t put that bamboo stake next to your Hoya Rigida 😂 As longs as they come from reputable sellers with healthy well growing plants the many one node cuttings that I purchased so far root and grow fine for me. But I guess having an extra node or several extra nodes would provide a safety net against plant-zombies

[@soberplantguy]

Ain't that the truth--those rigida will take down a full-grown plant in terracotta 🤣 And of course I'm in perfect agreement with your assessment on Buying hoya from a reputable source. Def my preference. Buy them healthy, buy them small 😁

[@debh3404]

Hey! I just wanted to let you know that there is ANOTHER "Buy me a coffee" for The Sober Plant Guy and it ISN"T you. Most of it isn't in English and I don't recognize the language it's written in.I went to buy you and your wife a cup of coffee and put in a search for The Sober Plant Guy and that's what came up!

[@soberplantguy]

First, how kind of you! Yes *The* sober plant guy, and me, just Sober Plant Guy. Is a bit confusing.

[@soberplantguy]

Thanks for your generosity, Deb ☺

[@debh3404]

@@soberplantguy You are very welcome! Have a great week.

[@debh3404]

@@soberplantguy Oh! BTW, I scored a Rebecca yesterday! I really nice lady here in Omaha has been keeping hoya for 40 years and has some beautiful plants. Some really OLD ones and some really big ones. It was so great to see a mature collection in the hands of an experienced grower in person.

[@soberplantguy]

@@debh3404 Nice! I just had Rebecca out of the tent to shower her. She's back in bloom, and I just cannot believe how much she has grown since that repot. Gorgeous.

[@ceciliapacheco6027]

I need the sun rise Hoya.

[@soberplantguy]

My cuttings are rooting and blooming away in the grow tent 😁

[@blackrose4clc]

I asked you before how to buy plants from you and you did answer me. I can’t find the information now, so if you don’t mind, would you please send me information again. I will make sure to screenshot it this time 😢 Thank you.

[@soberplantguy]

Sorry for the late response. Holiday week has thrown me out of my routine. I'm at [e-mail]. (That's always in my "about" section, if you need to reference it.) Cheers from Iowa ☺

[@blackrose4clc]

@@soberplantguy I don't see any, so I guess you don't have any at the moment.

[@soberplantguy]

@@blackrose4clc That's just where my email is. I can send you a list via email (unless I misinterpreted this). Cheers

[@blackrose4clc]

@@soberplantguy Sorry. I just noticed you sent already.Thank you.

[@marierejoiceinjesus3846]

I love small Hoyas. When you see someone with a huge collection of large ones (like Doug from Vermont Hoyas), you are going to struggle for space.

[@orchidenere]

Ok so since we are friends left them grow and share them “ friends price” 😊

[@soberplantguy]

I will take this under advisement 🤔

[@lynnecalli]

Getting plants small means they will acclimate to your particular environment and (hopefully) grow in your conditions. The risk of getting a larger plant is that you won’t be able to replicate the conditions it was grown in, and it won’t adjust or do well.

[@soberplantguy]

I realize that not everyone has the patience for this, but it has worked for me time and again 😀

[@erinestrawberry3209]

You keep it bed side with jennifer , ha. With you warrant a hoi a person, you might think you were talking about women.

[@soberplantguy]

🤭