Hello all! I'm a newbie and addicted to Hoyas! Having had only one faithful Hoya for 15 years, I became addicted while on sick leave in April. (Now my count is staggering and I just downsized!) Should I remove the creamy leaves before they turn brown or is this caused by a pest rather than a lackof chlorophyll? Help! Appreciatively, Hoyagal
It's from lack of chlorophyll, and the white are usually the first to die back, especially if they are in high light. A little bit less direct light might slow down an early death. It's been said that the white leaves can drain energy from the rest of the plant and makes it grow slower, but I really love the white/pink leaves on my "krimson queen carnosa" and leave them be. Sometimes a whole branch or stem can be all white and the good part is, they can still send out flowers! It's that nice variegation the reason I got the plant in the first place. So, you can either enjoy them while they last, or snip them off:)
Hi Bluewing! Thanks for this prompt reply! I think the K. Q. are beautiful and so pleased that I don't have to de-bug it and the others. I'll remove it from the direct morning light as you suggested. I'm enjoying these forums, learning so much. Thanks again. Hoyagal
Mine is not a large plant, it's in a 4" pot that sits on a table in front of a south window, but, there are larger plants in front of it, so it's really some what shaded from direct sun and because of that, I believe that's why I haven't lost a white leaf all summer so far. It use to hang close to the same window, always losing white and/or pink leaves which would brown/dry and then fall off, so hopefully moving yours will help those lighter leaves stay put a little longer:)
Hi Bluewing: I had the four larger pots on the end of my dinning room table, close to an east window, getting perhaps 6 hours bright and direct sun daily, no wonder! These were large when purchased( probably in 5-6 in. pots) and all my newer, little hoyas occupy my coffee and end tables and a bakers rack. I only have one hanging from the ceiling They look great now that I've put them on my piano. I decided to snip the brown leaves and I think that I'll keep the creamy leaves for as long as I can. They are truly beautiful. It's great to have all this expertise at my finger tips! Many thanks,.