Hoya Deykeae x Chicken Farm is a captivating hybrid within the Hoya genus. It interests enthusiasts due to its distinctive foliage and unique name. This plant is a prized addition for collectors.
Distinctive Features of Hoya Deykeae x Chicken Farm
Hoya Deykeae x Chicken Farm showcases unique visual characteristics. Its leaves are thick and textured, often displaying prominent veins. Coloration features deep green with silvery hues, sometimes exhibiting splash or marbling. Leaves can reach lengths of up to 20 cm in mature plants.
The plant’s stems exhibit a climbing or vining growth habit, reaching lengths of up to 3 meters, allowing training on supports. Mature plants produce star-shaped flowers that are often fragrant. These blooms vary in color, appearing in peachy-white tones with yellow corollas and red or brown tips, grouped in umbels of 15-30 flowers. The “Chicken Farm” designation reportedly originates from its discovery in 1997 near a chicken coop in Sabah, Borneo. It is a wild find, though often mistakenly identified as a hybrid of Hoya finlaysonii and Hoya deykeae.
Comprehensive Care for Hoya Deykeae x Chicken Farm
Light Requirements
Hoya Deykeae x Chicken Farm thrives in bright, indirect light. Placing it near an east or west-facing window is ideal, providing ample light without intense midday sun. It tolerates a few hours of direct morning or late afternoon sun, but protection from harsh direct sunlight prevents leaf scorching. Insufficient light leads to slower growth and reluctance to bloom, while too much direct sun causes blemishes or discoloration.
Watering Needs
Proper watering is important for this Hoya, which prefers its soil to dry out between waterings. Its thick, succulent-like leaves store water, making the plant tolerant of brief dryness. Overwatering leads to root rot. Check the soil deeply and ensure drainage holes are clear before rewatering to prevent excessive moisture. Wrinkled or papery leaves indicate thirst.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining soil mix prevents waterlogging. A chunky, aerated substrate containing components like orchid bark, perlite, horticultural charcoal, and a small amount of potting soil is recommended. This mix allows good airflow around the roots, mimicking its epiphytic nature. Hoyas prefer to be somewhat root-bound, so frequent repotting is not necessary; repot only when the plant has outgrown its container.
Temperature and Humidity
This Hoya hybrid grows well in warm temperatures, between 18-29°C (65-85°F). It is sensitive to cold; temperatures below 14-20°C (57-70°F) cause stress. Moderate to high humidity levels, above 50%, are beneficial for growth. Misting foliage regularly, placing the pot on a pebble tray with water, or using a humidifier helps maintain adequate humidity, especially in drier indoor environments.
Fertilization
Regular fertilization during active growing seasons, spring through fall, supports healthy growth and encourages flowering. A balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength, can be applied every two to four weeks. Reducing or ceasing fertilization during the plant’s dormant winter period prevents nutrient buildup and root burn. Consistent nutrition helps the plant develop strong foliage and produce blooms.
Propagating and Growing Hoya Deykeae x Chicken Farm
Propagating Hoya Deykeae x Chicken Farm is best achieved through stem cuttings. This method allows new plants to be grown from sections of the parent plant, taken during spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. A healthy cutting should include at least one or two nodes, where leaves and roots emerge. Cuttings can be rooted in a well-draining, chunky soil mix, or in water, though soil propagation is more dependable for Hoyas.
For soil propagation, insert the node into the prepared medium, ensuring it is covered. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until roots establish. Providing warmth and humidity, perhaps by covering the pot with a clear plastic bag, aids in successful rooting. Hoya Deykeae x Chicken Farm exhibits a vining growth habit and benefits from a trellis or other support structure to climb, which encourages a more compact and pleasing form. While it is a slow-growing hybrid, consistent care and appropriate support encourage healthy development and mature growth.
Addressing Common Issues
Hoya Deykeae x Chicken Farm can encounter common issues, often signaling an imbalance in care. If new leaves are dropping or growth is stunted, microscopic flat mites might be present. Treatment involves specific miticides or hot water soaks. Yellowing leaves indicate overwatering or poor drainage, requiring adjustment of watering frequency and checking soil aeration.
Browning leaf edges indicate low humidity or inconsistent watering. Blemishes on leaves, particularly oedema, result from excessive moisture combined with high temperatures. Lack of flowering, despite a mature plant, indicates insufficient light; increasing bright, indirect light exposure encourages blooms. Pest infestations, such as mealybugs or spider mites, should be addressed promptly with horticultural sprays or manual removal to prevent widespread damage.