Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost'

Specifications:

Scientific name: Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost'

Common names: Grey Ghost

Origin: Cultivar

Flower colour: pale pink with dark pinkish-red coronas

Genus: Hoya

Family: Apocynaceae (Asclepiadaceae)

Kingdom: Plantae

Type:Flowering vine

Summary:

• Thrives in bright indirect light
• Best soil is succulent mix
• Allow to slightly dry between watering
• Fertilizer should be slow release

Light Requirements:

The Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost' is adaptable and can thrive in a variety of lighting environments. However, for the best growth, it requires light that is bright but indirect. Because of this, it will be able to grow more quickly and produce more foliage.

Having said that, you should avoid exposing it to more than one to two hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis because it is unable to withstand exposure to light that is particularly intense or powerful.

The Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost' will do best when placed close to a window facing either east or west. Because it has a silvery sheen, it looks best when it is exposed to a little bit of direct light. Nevertheless, it is essential that this light be non-invasive (morning or late afternoon sun).

Temperature Requirements:

• The Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost' is a tropical plant, just like its relatives, the other hoyas. This indicates that it is most comfortable in temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Having said that, it is essential to keep in mind that these plants can originate from a variety of ecosystems. Some people live in lower elevations, while others inhabit higher ground. Therefore, if your Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost' does not flower in spite of the fact that you provide it with a great deal of bright, indirect light, fertiliser, and the appropriate care, you might want to consider putting it in a location where the temperature drops at night.
• The temperature, particularly at night, is lower at higher elevations because of the altitude. As a result, plants that originate from there will thrive in temperatures that are approximately 15 degrees lower during the night than they are during the day.
• Keeping the Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost' away from the cold is the single most important thing you can do to maintain its temperature.

Humidity Requirements:

• The plant grows best in moist environments. The humidity should be between 50 and 70 percent for optimum comfort.
• However, due to the fact that it has substantial leaves, it is more tolerant of the typical humidity found in homes.
• Because of this characteristic, it is able to store moisture in its foliage, which enables it to withstand longer periods of dryness. In a similar vein, it enables it to be resistant to lower levels of humidity.
• As a result, the Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost' ought to be successful in the majority of homes. However, if you live in a desert environment or somewhere else where summers are exceptionally dry and hot, it is possible that it will require some assistance.

Watering Requirements:

• When the soil begins to look dry, you should water your Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost'. This is the most straightforward method to use. The ideal amount of time to wait between waterings is until the soil is fifty percent dry.
• You can water earlier if you want, but you need to make sure that the top layer of soil has had enough time to dry out before you do so. Some people will do the same thing and wait until the soil is completely dry before adding any more water.
• It is important to remember that all of these methods are effective; the secret is to let some of the soil dry out before adding more moisture to it.
• This is due to the fact that the plant is susceptible to being overwatered. If you soak its roots or leave them standing in water for an extended period of time, the roots will eventually rot.

Soil Requirements:

After flooding the root ball with water, you will need a specific kind of potting mix that will enable the excess water to drain away more quickly. To achieve the best results, I try to avoid letting the roots remain wet for more than 15 minutes. This is the point at which issues begin to arise.

Therefore, the ideal soil for growing Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost' is one that is sandy, aerated, and has good drainage.

This allows the roots to be able to breathe by ensuring that the soil quickly drains away any excess moisture that may have accumulated. Keep in mind that the roots of a plant require equal parts water and oxygen in order to thrive.

If it receives an excessive amount of water, it is at risk of developing root rot, which occurs when the roots suffocate because they are unable to take in oxygen.

If the roots are exposed to an excessive amount of air, this indicates that they are not receiving enough water and will eventually become dehydrated as a result.

Air and water are both absolutely necessary (in balance).

You can use any of the following do-it-yourself potting mixes to create soil that is easy to drain, light in weight, and has excellent aeration. They are all successful in producing the Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost'.

a mixture of two parts peat and one part perlite equal parts of potting soil and bark from orchid plants potting soil to the ratio of 1 to 1, with perlite added. Don't forget to check that the container you're using has holes in the bottom for drainage. This will prevent water from collecting at the bottom of the container as it drains away from the soil. Instead, it will be able to escape from the bottom of the pot.

Fertilizing Requirements:

• Because the Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost' is a light feeder, you do not need to provide it with a substantial amount of fertiliser. However, the plant can only reach its full potential with the proper nutrients.
• Therefore, providing it with food is an essential component of its care, particularly if you want it to blossom.
• The Hoya carnosa 'Grey Ghost' does not have particular preferences regarding the type of plant food that it consumes, so you can use any typical houseplant fertiliser on it. The most essential thing is that it receives its nutrients (and that it is not overfertilized).
• Since it is primarily a foliage plant, you will primarily be applying a fertiliser that is high in nitrogen. This will stimulate the growth of the leaf. You have the option of using a fertiliser that is designed specifically for indoor plants (an N-P-K of 15-15-15 is a good choice).
• You can apply a blooming fertiliser to the plant once it begins to bloom or when it exhibits signs that it is about to flower.
• Do not fertilize your hoya in the winter season when it is dormant. Doing so may cause extensive leaf burn.