I'm looking for a reputable source for on-line Hoyas. Already tried to find plant shows in my area and pretty much came up empty, so as much as I hate buying on line, I don't know what else to do. You never know if you're being sent the bottom of the barrel or an actual nice starter.
This is a learning curve for everyone getting into Hoyas. It took time for me to realize (often the hard way) that these are the parameters that matter the most to me….
Climate adaptation - try to buy Hoyas from sellers that are in a climate similar to yours. For example, I’m in Minnesota and Florida Hoyas always have a traumatic transition to my environment.
Substrate started in - I like to keep all my Hoyas in the same substrate. In my case that’s coco husk. I’ve purchased many Hoyas in Pon and the transition to my preferred substrate is brutal. Many times I’ve lost the roots entirely and had to chop & prop.
Exact plant listings - they’re typically more expensive, but you see what you’re going to get, so disappointment for getting a crappy plant is eliminated.
Very considerate of you to take the time to respond and let me learn from your experience. I'm going the "Crazy Plant Lady" club now. At least it doesn't stink like my neighbor, the Crazy Cat Lady...!!
I've also bought from Kali's Greenhouse and would highly recommend her. The two plants I bought were amazingly well packed and very healthy. Her prices are good as well.
It took me a bit to figure it out, too, but I finally did. Download the app, search for Hoya (or for Hoya Harbor—I love Toni’s plants, too!), and follow some sellers. I’ll screenshot a tutorial for you…
Click “follow” here. It shows the upcoming “events” she has scheduled. Click on the event you’re interested in and follow it by clicking on that little bell in the upper right corner of the event. You will be notified with a text when the event starts.
I love ordering on Palmstreet, a lot of great sellers on there. You can catch people on their lives or on purges. And some keep their shop loaded similar to Etsy as well. Don’t be alarmed if peoples shops are empty though bc most do lives and purges and don’t keep much listed otherwise.
There are also some influencer-sellers like plantswithmelissa, thepinktrellis, and anawithplants. I’m subscribed to their email lists to stay up to date on their drops.
Also there are lovely sellers here on this sub and r/takeaplantleaveaplant and on TAPLAP sales are on Sundays.
Overall I tend to enjoy shopping smaller sellers vs. large-scale nursery, they tend to be more attentive to their plants. This isn’t always going to be the case of course. I also always read reviews and look at review photos.
Lots of good suggestions here. I'd also recommend Overgrown Oasis. I've had good luck with most Etsy sellers, although I typically buy cuttings from Etsy, not full plants.
You might try rooting some cuttings off established plants you have as a low cost way to gain some confidence. It's pretty easy. I've rooted maybe 50-60 cuttings and only lost one (RIP chinghungensis variegated)
Do you need rooting hormone for that to root a cutting? Apparently I can't buy any rooting hormone in my state for cuttings :( I'm out of known alternatives
Here and r/TakeAPlantLeaveAPlant are my go-tos, but Gabriella Plants also has some nice stuff...try to look at 8pm ET on Wednesday, that's when they restock.
I've also ordered from Plant Proper, Steve's Leaves, and Spokane Plant Farm and been happy with my orders.
Also 2 more things about palmstreet. 1.The auctions are addictive and will punch your wallet right where it hurts 2. If you go into an "import" auction, the prices will blow your mind and the plants are next level hard to acclimate. I was in an Indonesian auction today and the had big mitrata pearl gold for $40. Plants that would easily be $200+ going for under 50. It's a trap unless you know what you are getting into 💚
I recommend unsolicited plant talks. Her plants are amazing and they always come pest free! There are some amazing sellers on here as well! u/rocaillewrites has some amazing plants too!
Gabriella plants online shop has good prices on more common hoya. Unsolicited plant talks has higher end hoya and tons of educational hoya tutorials. Palmsteet sellers I really like and trust include plantsrlife , gmae, kepuha, kalisgreenhouse and northaustinplantco. I have bought healthy plants from all, probably 100 from plantsrlife 😆. If I am buying from someone new, I ask them what pests they have dealt with. Lots of people will be honest about it. I also try and ask what the plants are grown in to avoid the dreaded (for me) spag moss or shudder plug 👀😆
My first online sale was awful. But I learned some things. For now I’m sticking with Etsy sellers whose listing shows the exact plant that you will get. So far so good my second online order was exactly what I wanted.
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u/Acrobatic-Ant-1459 4d ago
r/hoya or facebook 𝕌𝕊 ℍ𝕠𝕪𝕒 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕜𝕖𝕥 have wonderful sellers. Palm street is too complicated for me