How to plant and care for wax flowers

Find out how to incorporate this unique looking plant into your garden

THE wax flower It is a plant native to Asia. Gardeners today consider it a low-maintenance, fragrant tropical flower. They are slow to moderate growers and should be planted outdoors in spring or early summer.

They are part of the family Milkweed, also known as the algae family. The most recent taxonomy places the genus in the family Apocynaceae🇧🇷

• botanical name hoya carnosa
• Common name Wax plant, wax flower, porcelain flower
• type of plant tropical succulent
• mature size 3.5 m – 6 m
• sun exposure Bright and natural light
• soil type well drained
• soil pH 6.1-7.5
• flowering time Spring or summer (but some varieties flower in fall)
• flower color Yellow, orange, pink, burgundy, white, almost black
• native area tropical asia, australia

treatment

Wax flowers grow in a ball-shaped cluster, similar to hydrangeas. Each bouquet can hold up to 40 individual flowers, tightly packed together. Individual flowers are perfect. They look like they were cast in wax or porcelain, hence the common names. The flowers usually show a colored core in the center of the crown.

The plants produce woody stems with waxy leaves, which remain evergreen. You can encourage a wax plant to grow into a vine or let it creep up the side of the pot. Either way, expect the total length or height of the plant to be between 60cm and 1.20m.

Place your plant in a hanging basket where you can admire it on your deck or porch. They cling to a small trellis, bringing a vertical element to your tropical potted garden. A wax flower appreciates humid conditions.

Lighting

They thrive best when they receive bright, non-direct sunlight.

Land

A light, well-draining soil mix. Too much moisture and the roots will rot.

Waterfall

They should be watered weekly and allowed to dry out completely between waterings.

Temperature and humidity

As a tropical plant, they thrive hot and humid climates.

Fertilizer

They must be fertilized monthly; It is suggested to feed them with a fertilizer that includes nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

variety

• H. Archboldiana : Creamy, cup-shaped flowers with a brown crown
• H. compact: pale pink flowers and curled leaves; beautiful even when the plant is not in flower
• H. Cumingiata: Yellow flowers with red crown; fragrant
• H. Kerrii Variegata: Heart-shaped foliage with white margins; yellow and orange flowers
• H. Onychoids: Star-shaped purple flowers

pruning

When your wax plant has finished flowering, leave the flower stem as it can produce new flowers. Removing the stem forces the plant to produce a new stem, which delays flowering and wastes the plant’s energy. They require few nutrients and a monthly drink of compost tea or diluted fish emulsion provides all the nutrition these tropicals need.

Propagation

They don’t ask for much other than the well-draining soil and warm, humid conditions that many tropical flowers crave. Choose a location with full or partial sun. Plants that get less than half a day of sunlight may not produce flowers.

Potting and replanting

Waxflowers like the security of a comfortable vase, and plants that are more rooted will flower more prolifically than those that have plenty of space in the vase. They dislike wet or heavy soils and also grow as epiphytes in the wild (similar to bromeliads and orchids).

Mixing regular potting soil with orchid potting soil in a 1-1 ratio will provide an ideal growing medium for your plant.

Also, when repotting, use pasteurized potting soil or growing medium in new pots or ones that have been washed in a solution of bleach and water.

Hibernation

They will flower throughout the summer months and you should bring them indoors when temperatures drop below 10°C.

Common pests and diseases

Waxflowers are vulnerable to sap-sucking pests such as aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Everything can be controlled with neem oil. After treating the plant, remove the pest residues with a clean, soft cloth.

Fungal infections are also common ailments. The Botrytis pest can cause rot and kill your plant; appears as grayish spots. Treat with fungicide and repot in sterilized potting soil.

*Via The Spruce

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Source: Terra

Benjamin

Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.