Hoya bella Wax Flower

12/06/2013

Hoya bella Hook. 1848 is a tropical wax flower or porcelain flower plant, native to India,
Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Thailand.


The tropical beauty has been discovered near Moulmein (nowadays: Mawlamyaing) in Myanmar, by the British Botanist Thomas Lobb (1811-1894), who collected plants on behalf of the British plant nursery Veitch & Sons. Thomas Lobb was also the discoverer of Hoya lobbii, which has been named in honour to him. In opposition to many other Hoya species, which grow like climbers or vines, Hoya bella grows like a small shrub and is best cultivated as a hanging basket plant. Hoya bella shots reach lengths of about 30 cm. Because of its impressive flowers, Hoya bella (“bella” means beautiful in Latin language) has been praised by botanists as the most beautiful of the beautiful, as a small diamond or as an “amethyst in silvery appearance”. The highly fragrant flowers of Hoya bella, with a pleasant scent, reminescent of vanilla, which is strongest in evening and night hours, are grouped in flat umbels of up to about 10 single flowers.


Unfortunatly Hoya bella is considered as difficult to care. The tropical plant requires intermediate to warm temperatures, very balanced waterings and a lot of light, but no direct sun. Hoya bella demands high standards of the soil, which should be very well-drained, as the plant is susceptible to root rot, caused by waterlogging. If kept too dry, it becomes prone to mealybugs and spider mites. Even experienced Hoya lovers reported, that Hoya bella casts its leaves for no apparent reason.

Hoya bella
Flower Photography © Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Hoya bella
Photographer: Kitisak “Nat” Jaidee

Hoya (Wax Flowers, Porcellain Flowers) at Orchids Flowers.com:


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