|
|
Aloha
Hoya
is located on the East (wet) side of the Big Island of Hawaii. If
you look at a map, we seem like a big rock in the middle of the
Pacific Ocean, but we are 4,000 sq. miles of many, many, micro-climates.
Our particular spot brings us trade winds, nearly 155" of rain per year, temperatures
that rarely exceed 90oF, but are more often about
76oF and rather high humidity.
|
|
Hoyas love the climate. Nearly all species respond very well to this
growing environment. I grow my market plants in a greenhouse so that I can
control issues important to U.S.D.A and Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture
(who give me my Certification to ship). We water with pure rain collected
from the roof of the greenhouse. |
 |
I
start out with strong 'mother' plants, grown outdoors in the surrounding
jungle. Their favorite "hang out" is the bamboo. My preferred supplier
for new species cuttings is David Liddle in Australia, with a climate very
similar to our own (as well as a strong commitment to correct labeling).
|
 |
As a matter of policy we do not sell cuttings,
only well rooted small plants as well as larger plants.
The mortality rate is just too high on cuttings, and we want our
customers to be happy and keep coming back. |
 |
|
We take pride in the correct labeling. If a plant has
not bloomed for me to verify it's identity, I will not sell it until
it has. If in doubt, I confer with Christine Burton and David Liddle
and any literature available. To avoid confusion, name changes, prior
ascension numbers, synonyms, stay with the hoya.
Given a choice between clones of the same species, I will grow
the strongest and most frequent bloomer etc. For the collector, I will grow
a limited number of other clones.
|
 |
Insecticides are used only when absolutely necessary. I find most insects
(mealy bugs, scale etc.) are a result of inadequate ventilation, water or other factors that weaken the plant. Our
fertilizers are local, organically produced of seaweeds, chicken manure
and trace minerals and SuperThrive. I prefer natural approaches over
chemicals. When our rooted cuttings leave here, they are the strongest
and the healthiest hoyas I can possibly ship. |
|
|
|
Where does the time go? My stock is almost depleted and my heydays of having lots of hoyas to make buyers happy are over. The few I have left are basically medium/large and large,
although some small ones are growing quickly. The NOIDS are starting to bloom so as they do and I have Ids I will put them up.
I will, from time to time, have plants to sell - both hoyas and dischidias - so keep checking in periodically.
Now there are two vendors I recommend highly and both are good friends: SRQ Hoyas (Joni Kahn) at www.SRQHoyas.com for plants and Ted Green for cuttings at greent010@hawaii.rr.com.
Both are very keen to have properly ID'd hoyas and both grow their hoyas extremely well. Both are generous, extremely honest and are great folks to deal with.
I have really enjoyed growing and selling hoyas and dischidias. I will continue my passion for hoyas and am planning on going on another collecting trip to Malaysia in the spring.
It is simply getting more and more difficult to grow and ship plants from Hawaii with all the new regulations and requirements for Certified Nurseries (which I am one of).
I just read that California just got a whopping sum of grant money to intensify their 'keeping bad plants and insects' out of the state, which roughly translated means
'to support their local growers businesses', and since most planes from HI to the mainland carrying mail or plants have to land in CA. it is writing on the wall. More restrictions
are in store and many of my friends are also thinking of bailing from the business.
Keep in touch.
Carol
Remember, please, let me confirm your shipping costs and the availability of your order before you send in your money!!! Thanks.
|
