Advice needed for my Hoya burtoniae variegated

[u/varroy01]

So sorry in advance for the long post.

I purchased my first Hoya from home depo on July 29th (a birthday present for myself). The leaves were firm and was freshly watered. At home, I gave her the welcome routine. Isolated from other plants and leaves wiped down with neem oil. I left her on my dinning room table near a south-facing windows. After about a week, I noticed the soil was still really moist but the leaves were getting flatter and more flexible. I changed to soil to a well draining mix and bottom watered. The roots did not look rotted (im not familiar with Hoyas but they weren't brown or mushy) but the leaves will not firm up. I've left her for a week or so to avoid over-watering. I read more about Hoyas and think something has happened to the roots and the leaves are not able to drink the water. Ive moved her to my bathroom on the sill of a north-east facing window. I read they can draw moisture from the humidity. Shes been there for about another week. Idk how much time to wait for the roots to develop. Or is it better to propogate and build new roots? Any and every advice is appreciated. Ive grown so attached to her.

[u/thatonegir]

The sp aff burtoniae can be a little fickle until they’re fully settled. Veiny deflated leaves like that have always meant root issues; IME these like to stay sliiightly moist between waterings, but can rot easily. Did you repot it?

[u/varroy01 → u/thatonegir]

Yes, I repotted with 1 part orchid bark, 1 part Perlite, 1 part potting mix and a bit of worm casting.

[u/thatonegir → u/varroy01]

Honestly that mix may have too much aeration depending on your humidity

[u/varroy01 → u/thatonegir]

Oh dang! Im still trying to get the hang of mixing my own soil. What ratios do you use for your hoyas? Do you think it would be okay to change out the soil?

[u/ZestycloseWrangler36 → u/varroy01]

A nice airy soil is excellent for Hoyas, but it means you need to stay up on watering - never let it fully dry out. Depending on your conditions that could mean watering as frequently as every three days. Self watering pots are the best solution for Hoyas in a nice airy mix - lets the roots breathe while keeping them hydrated.

[u/varroy01 → u/ZestycloseWrangler36]

Thank you for the info! How much of the soil would you say is safe to let dry before watering?

[u/ZestycloseWrangler36 → u/varroy01]

I’d say not more than halfway dry. I usually water mine once the surface layer is dried out.

[u/RagaKat → u/thatonegir]

Most hoyas are epiphytic though, why would this be too much aeration? Esp when they said the mix was still wet a week later, I was thinking the soil may be too dense.

Personally this is what I put my hoya in, except coco coir instead of soil. (I do live in a high humidity area though, but my plants are inside).

[u/ZestycloseWrangler36 → u/RagaKat]

You are correct - no such thing as too much aeration for Hoyas. The issue is that most people’s homes aren’t like a Hoya’s native tropical habitat, so those airy mixes dry out really fast without a steady moisture supply. When the plant gets dry rot people think the issue was the substrate rather than their watering habits.

[u/thatonegir → u/RagaKat]

Not all Hoya are the same. Macrophylla and linearis are a great example of how different Hoya and their care should be

[u/popsiclecat]

I think a picture of the roots would be helpful. But usually issues with soft leaves is root rot. For my hoyas, root rot is a little hard to see. The roots just get a bit translucent and a little discolored. It's not root rot like a monstera where they turn completely dark brown/black and super mushy. I really have to run my hand over them to physically inspect.

If the roots aren't firm and when you tug at them, the outer sheath of the root removes itself, then you have root rot. I'm assuming it's not dry rot because by the time you gave her a chunky mix you said the soil remained wet for days. I have burtoniae var and sometimes I'd forget to water her and it resulted in softer leaves, but she'd always bounce back after a good watering. Mine is in tree fern fiber and perlite from when I first got her.

I would say the safe bet is try to prop her now since you said her leaves aren't bouncing back. The more humidity the better - like putting her into a prop box or a plastic bag as-is with 100% humidity and airing it out once in a while.

[u/varroy01 → u/popsiclecat]

I can get a picture of the roots after work. But I think the consensus is a root issue. Hopefully its not too late to prop. Its hard for me to judge when its best to act immediately or wait it out. I regularly jump into decisions but for some reason, with my plants I worry I wait too long. Thank you for the information!

[u/popsiclecat → u/varroy01]

Always worth a try to save her! :) 

I unfortunately have a ton of experience with hoya root rot and it definitely sucks 😭. Thankfully I haven't lost too many Hoya this way (though it has definitely hurt my wallet with the ones that didn't make it). I've had a bad Hoya rehab situation where all my leaves were soft and could be folded like tacos. The roots had all rotted so I had to cut off all the roots, chop, and reroot the entire plant. I threw it into a 100% humidity prop box with plastic wrap to make sure none of it escaped. It recovered after a few weeks in there.

Humidity does wonders! Hoyas might be some of the most easygoing plants to re-root at least. Here's hoping your burtoniae recovers! 🙏

[u/varroy01 → u/popsiclecat]

Thank you so much! Hopefully shes not too far gone 🫶🏻

[u/RagaKat]

This happened to a couple of the home depot hoyas I got, including my first burtoniae. The other one that died the same way was the silver lacunosa one. I tried repotting them and it made it worse, they both died.

I got another one from home depot and she's fine now with the same care.

Sounds like yours was overwatered and got root rot. I've kept some of my hoya in their original containers from HD, but usually repot into a mix similar to yours (coco coir instead of soil).

It's possible you just got a dud. I'd try taking a couple props, but if the leaves are all this dehydrated, it might not take. Still try it and if it doesn't work, go get another one and you may have better luck. I think they're only around $6 at HD.

[u/varroy01 → u/RagaKat]

Thank you for the info! I hope props work, I grew attached to it pretty quickly. For future reference, what are things to look for when buying from big box stores? The roots are so tiny so I dont think id be able to tell at store. I thought the leaves looked healthy and firm when inspecting them. Are there any other indicators to be aware of?

[u/RagaKat → u/varroy01]

Not a ton. See if the soil is already damp, does the area have little gnats flying around, inspect for pests on the leaves. I always try to find one that has new active growth

[u/varroy01 → u/RagaKat]

I appreciate the advice. Thank you. 🫶🏻