Mrs.Green windowsills-growing cacti against the odds (links on page 9)

[BryanT]

The hoya in the 1st photo seems to be happy!
Is that Hoya kerrii?

[Mrs.Green]

The hoya in the 1st photo seems to be happy!
Is that Hoya kerrii?

Hi Bryan Yes it is Hoya kerrii. This plant has an interesting story. Many years ago my mother was gifted a single leaf in a pot. This leaf stod still for several years without anything happenening. Suddenly it sprouted new growth and became a plant. My mothers patience paid off. She had the plant for some years then gave it to me when it got to big.

This plant have obviously not read the care instructions given many places.. ( don’t place it in full sun and treat it like a succulent). I did try to follow care advice from the net but it didn’t like it) It takes full sun for several hours a day and to keep it happy I ‘dump’ water on it in the growing season. It’s amazing how much water it will take to be happy and grow.

[Hanazono]

I think you had problem to keep A. myriostigma well last season but it seems they are all right now.

[BryanT]

Hi Bryan Yes it is Hoya kerrii. This plant has an interesting story. Many years ago my mother was gifted a single leaf in a pot. This leaf stod still for several years without anything happenening. Suddenly it sprouted new growth and became a plant. My mothers patience paid off. She had the plant for some years then gave it to me when it got to big.

This plant have obviously not read the care instructions given many places.. ( don’t place it in full sun and treat it like a succulent). I did try to follow care advice from the net but it didn’t like it) It takes full sun for several hours a day and to keep it happy I ‘dump’ water on it in the growing season. It’s amazing how much water it will take to be happy and grow.

Yes, most Hoyas are quite drought tolerance, but they don't like dry for too long (mostly from tropical rainforest), as long as don't water them too much during very cold weather. They needs sun to flower, but not too much direct sun.

[Mrs.Green]

I think you had problem to keep A. myriostigma well last season but it seems they are all right now.

Thank you Hanazono I am still very much trying out whats ‘right or wrong as I am new to growing Astrophytums. I had nine but are down to seven now . But I am happy to see flowers and buds on some of them. Hopefully I am doing something right at least .

Yes, most Hoyas are quite drought tolerance, but they don't like dry for too long (mostly from tropical rainforest), as long as don't water them too much during very cold weather. They needs sun to flower, but not too much direct sun.

I only have two Hoyas ; the kerrii and a carnosa. Both seems to thrive with full sun exposure but I am pretty sure ‘full sun’ here and were you live e.g. is very different

[BryanT]

I only have two Hoyas ; the kerrii and a carnosa. Both seems to thrive with full sun exposure but I am pretty sure ‘full sun’ here and were you live e.g. is very different

Hoya carnosa is one of the most common Hoya here. Nice pinkish flowers, with lots of sweet nectar dripping from the flowers.

[Mrs.Green]

I only have two Hoyas ; the kerrii and a carnosa. Both seems to thrive with full sun exposure but I am pretty sure ‘full sun’ here and were you live e.g. is very different

Hoya carnosa is one of the most common Hoya here. Nice pinkish flowers, with lots of sweet nectar dripping from the flowers.

Here too, carnosa is a plant you often find in homes . Don’t see it often for sale though, I guess it travels from home to home as cuttings. The nectar from kerri especially ( in my experience is ) is plentiful and VERY sticky. Sticks to surfaces like glue and try washing it off from curtains..

[Mrs.Green]

Nostalgia

I found this one today, Chamaecereus silvestrii; a cactus I remember from my childhood and haven’t seen for sale for years.

[jerrytheplater]

With a few starts/cuttings for trades in a year or two!

[Mrs.Green]

With a few starts/cuttings for trades in a year or two!

Absolutely! In fact I have already potted a few ‘cuttings’, that had fallen off the mother plant during transportation home. I am very happy with this find, I know it’s a very common cactus but as mentioned, I haven’t seen it for sale here for years and it’s something special with plants you remember from childhood

[Mrs.Green]

We have had a very warm may, with temperatures well over 25 degrees celsisus ,several days this month. A bit over my prefernces but the cacti seems to be happy at least.

A lot of plants in flower or with buds. Some of the flowering cacti below ;

[zpeckler]

Beautiful blooms!!!