Cultivation methods and precautions of ball orchid

Hoya has a strong fragrance and can adapt to low-light environments, making it very suitable for planting in places with less light, such as balconies. It can grow by climbing or hanging, and when it blooms, it forms a bunch of beautiful flower balls that are both beautiful and fragrant. Let’s learn together about the cultivation methods and precautions of ball orchid.

1. Pot soil selection

Hoya prefers loose, breathable, slightly acidic soil. When potting , you can use general nutrient soil and add about 1/5 of vermiculite or river sand to enhance air permeability and reduce the possibility of water accumulation. The formula for homemade soil can be 4 parts peat soil, 2 parts leaf mold, 3 parts perlite, 1 part organic fertilizer and a small amount of bone meal. Mix them evenly before use.

2. Flowerpot size

The flowering of Hoya is closely related to the size of the pot. If the flowerpot is too large, the roots of the Hoya will not be able to fill the pot, which can easily lead to excessive growth of branches and leaves and make it difficult to bloom. Therefore, the appropriate flower pot size should be selected according to needs.

For small seedlings or Hoya that you want to focus on growing, you can choose a slightly larger flowerpot, which should be about 1-2 circles larger than the original soil ball. If you want the ball orchid to bloom early, you should choose a smaller flowerpot to make watering easier. If the root system has filled the original soil ball, you can replace it with a flowerpot of the same size or slightly larger; if the root system is not full, you can replace it with a flowerpot of the same model.

3. Watering and fertilizing

Hoya likes a humid environment, but is also drought-resistant. During the vigorous growth period, the soil should be kept moist, watered when the soil is dry and applied with general growth fertilizer every 7-10 days.

The flowering period of Hoya is usually from April to June, and if properly cared for, it can last until September. Therefore, starting from March, water should be controlled and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be increased to promote flowering. Hoya is similar to Bougainvillea and needs a slightly drier environment to bloom more easily. Therefore, you can water it when the leaves become slightly soft, and add Huaduoduo No. 2 or potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer.

4. Lighting management

Hoya is shade-tolerant, but insufficient light will result in leaves growing without flowers. In late autumn, winter and early spring, it can be given full sun, while in summer it only receives soft light in the morning or evening. Too much light can cause the leaves to turn yellow or even get sunburned. At the same time, it cannot be placed in a hidden place for a long time to avoid affecting flowering. It should usually be placed on a brightly lit balcony.

5. Winter care

The cold resistance of Hoya is average, and the safe wintering temperature needs to be above 5 degrees, which can be met by the general indoor environment. If maintained outdoors, it is recommended to move it indoors for the winter when the temperature drops below 5 degrees. Keep the ambient temperature above 10 degrees and the ball orchid can continue to grow in winter.

6. Pest and disease control

Hoya grows rapidly, and if ventilation is poor when the branches and leaves are dense, it is easy to attract scale insects. Prevention should be strengthened in normal times, and dense branches and leaves should be thinned out in time to enhance ventilation. Or use a larger trellis to pull the branches, keep the plant ventilated, and avoid scale insect infection.

To take good care of the ball orchid, you first need to understand its growth habits. Hoya is a perennial evergreen climbing shrub that prefers warm climates. Its leaves are tough and have a certain degree of drought resistance. Ball orchid is both light-loving and shade-tolerant, but it should not be exposed to the sun for a long time.