The species of the Hoya genus, which originally comes from the tropics of Australia, China and Malaysia and has over 100 different varieties, can only be successfully cultivated indoors in this country. Since seeds of these plants are rarely found in specialist shops, it is a good idea to breed particularly beautifully blooming porcelain flowers from offshoots.
How to propagate a porcelain flower?
To propagate a porcelain flower (Hoya), cut off a long shoot in spring and divide it into several 10 centimeter long pieces. Insert the base of the pieces into either a glass of water or directly into a substrate of peat and sand. Root formation occurs within a few weeks.
The right care for he althy mother plants
The porcelain flower or wax flower is not necessarily one of the most uncomplicated houseplants. For example, it can happen that the porcelain flower no longer blooms for a long time, apparently for no reason, after being repotted or after a change of location. When caring for them, it should also be noted that most subspecies of the wax flower have to spend the winter indoors, but depending on the season they prefer a slightly cooler temperature than the usual room temperature. Porcelain flowers are less sensitive to sunlight: Even in shady locations without direct sunlight, the elongated shoots can grow quickly if there is a sufficient supply of nutrients.
Growing wax flowers from seeds
Growing wax flowers from seeds is not very common among hobby gardeners and passionate Hoya breeders, as seeds are difficult to form on the specimens cultivated indoors in this country and they are rarely sold commercially. If you still want to grow wax flowers from seeds, you should put them directly into a substrate made of peat and sand as soon as possible after the seeds have ripened. Particularly popular varieties are:
- Hoya carnosa
- Hoya australis
- Hoya bella (slightly smaller)
Since the porcelain flower often needs several years after propagation until it blooms for the first time, rooting offshoots usually saves a certain amount of time.
Let cuttings of the porcelain flower root
If you would like to grow more specimens of your Hoya for your windowsills or for seasonal placement in a suitable place in the garden, you can cut off a long shoot of the plant in spring and cut it into several pieces, each about 10 centimeters long. These are placed with the base either in a water glass filled with rainwater or directly into a substrate mixed with peat and sand. Most wax flower species form roots within a few weeks, which become noticeable through the formation of new leaf shoots.
Tip
Some people fall so much in love with the pretty flowers of the wax flower that they want to multiply them many times and cover the entire house with them. The plants, which are not entirely non-toxic to humans, can be dangerously toxic, especially to birds and other pets.
