Wrinkly Hoya Kerrii
Plant: Hoya kerrii
How long have you had the plant? 1 to 6 months.
Concerns:
Maybe I did not water it for quite long? Because I’m scared I might overwater it. I noticed the leaves are becoming soft and wrinkly. I started watering and misting it often, but it is still soft and wrinkly.
I also did not change the potting medium when I bought it. It is in a coconut husk. I think the humidity here is low and I don’t have a humidifier. I now placed it near my calatheas with pebbles and water.
Light Situation:
How do you determine WHEN to water? I wait for the soil to become completely dry.
Describe HOW you water: I pour a small amount of water onto the soil.
What fertilizer (if any) do you use? I have never used fertilizer.
Darryl’s Analysis
Environment
This outdoor shaded porch is an excellent environment for your plants. Hoyas are not peculiar about humidity unless it gets below 20%, which will likely not happen where you live (Philippines). Misting will make no difference – don’t bother with it unless you enjoy the feeling of doing it.
Effort
When your plant has adequate light (as it does here), then you can THOROUGHLY soak the soil and make sure excess water drains away – do this whenever the soil is nearly completely dry. Your ‘WHEN to water’ is correct (nearly completely dry) but your ‘HOW to water’ should be thoroughly – not ‘pouring a small amount’.
Expectations
The root system of your Hoya is damaged and will need a few weeks or even months to re-establish. This will only occur if the planting medium is adequately moist – do not wait for the soil to 100% dry before watering as this will make it more difficult to new roots to establish.
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