A pot plant that produces interesting, beautiful flowers, with a minimum of attention is the hoya. Hoyas are also known as Wax Flowers and can be grown as house plants as well as in bush or green houses. They also grow very well in sheltered, outdoor areas. Hoyas originate from Asia, the Pacific Islands and Australia.
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Hoya carnosa is the most common variety, producing flowers that vary from white through to a delicate pink colour and having a sweet perfume, particularly evident on summer nights. Hoya australis is a native Australian variety.
Many varieties of hoyas are available, producing flowers ranging in colour from white through to deep crimson.
Flowers are generally produced in clusters of individual blooms and range in size from a couple of centimetres across to larger ones that can reach about 6 centimetres in diameter. The individual florets that make up the flowering heads also vary greatly in shape and colour and are often glistening in appearance.
Hoyas also produce a wide variety of leaf shapes, making individual plants even more attractive. Some leaves are long and thin, while others are broader and flatter. Leaves are generally fleshy in nature, allowing the plants to withstand some periods of dryness.
Most hoyas flower during the summer months, with peak flowering times being at the beginning and end of the warmer months. A shaded position with good light is ideal. Plants that are growing in positions that receive low levels of light will generally fail to flower successfully. Protection from frosts and cold winds is a requirement.
Some hoyas take several years to commence flowering, while others come into bloom while still quite young plants. The application to the soil of a fertiliser that has a high proportion of potash will encourage flowering.
Many hoyas have a twining growth habit which is ideal for displaying their mainly pendulous flowers. Plants should be grown in a good quality, free draining potting mix. Plants resent the disturbance of their root systems, and generally seem to flower more prolifically when the plant has become somewhat pot-bound.
Hoya flowers are produced on a stalk which remains on the plant and produces flowers over many seasons. For this reason, gardeners should, in general, void picking hoya flowers as this will reduce the numbers of flowers produced by the plant.
However, an older plant that has become woody and less productive of flowers can be reinvigorated through the removal of excessive flowering stalks and woody stems. Initial subsequent flowering will be delayed but ultimate flowering will be enhanced.
Care should be taken to avoid the milky sap produced when cutting hoya stems as this can be an irritant to some people.
Propagation of hoyas is achieved through placing tip cuttings that have been allowed to rest for several days so that the stems seals over, into a light, free-draining mixture. Individual leaves with a short stem attached can be planted out as tip cuttings. Aerial layering, and planting out seeds straight after collection are other methods of propagation.
IVORY CURL TREE
Buckinghamia Celsissima, commonly known as the Ivory Curl Tree is in full flower in local gardens and nature strips at this time of the year. Buckinghamia is a fast growing native of north eastern Australia and grows to about 8 metres in the average garden settings.
In its natural, rainforest setting it can attain up to 25 metres in height as it reaches for light above the tree canopy.
The main attractive feature of the Buckinghamia is its stunning pendulous spikes of cream, curly flowers that cover the glossy green foliage in late summer and early autumn. The sweet perfume of the flowers is particularly evident in the morning. Honeyeaters and bees are attracted to the flowers. Flowers usually appear about three years after planting.
The Ivory Curl Tree is suitable for most areas other than those that experience heavy frosts in winter. A sunny, moist, well-drained position in soil that has been enriched with compost is preferred.
STINK BUGS
Stink bugs, citrus stink bugs and bronze-orange citrus bugs are all names for one of the main pests of citrus trees. Young nymphs are green and can be found in groups on the undersides of leaves. As they mature, stink bugs gradually change colour, changing to a darker-orange as they reach full maturity.
Their common name comes from their ability to release a pungent odour if they happen to be disturbed.
These pests can cause considerable damage to citrus trees as they suck the sap from new leaves and flower stems. This causes the shoots to wither, with a resultant loss of the current crop. In addition to the particular odour present in the general area of a tree, withered shoots on trees that should be covered with bright new shoots will be an indication to the gardener that stink bugs are present.
As the secretion from the bugs is quite caustic, care should be taken when dealing with these pests. This particularly applies to the eyes.
Control of the pests using organic sprays is not always effective. If a branch that has stink bugs on it is hit with a stick or broom, the pests drop to the ground. There you can tread on them.