Hoya ‘Chouke’

An open-pollinated hybrid raised in Belgium

Emilio Begine raised ‘Chouke’ from seed produced in 1994. Its parentage is deduced as Hoya carnosa × Hoya serpens; the pollination was uncontrolled.

Care for Hoya ‘Chouke’

• Placement: Use a bright position with the strongest sun filtered. Insufficient light produces longer internodes between the small hairy leaves and reduces branching.
• Watering and root mix: Use the weight of the small container as a guide and water before the fine roots become crisp. Soak the mix evenly, then let every excess drop drain. Use a fine but airy epiphytic blend. A mix that is too coarse can suspend small roots away from moisture.
• Trailing growth: Fasten young stems loosely at several points and leave hardened growth unbent. Guide older firm stems around a broad curve.
• Airflow: Avoid temperature swings until the new blade has hardened. The textured surface should dry promptly after accidental wetting.
• Feeding: Give the fine root system a weak, evenly applied feed during fresh branching. Flush small pots regularly because fertiliser residue can damage fine roots.
• Leaf margins: Fine hairs along the leaf edge are normal for this hybrid. They should not be mistaken for webbing or pest residue.
• Flowering and pruning: When shortening the fine trailing stems, leave the small flower spurs attached because they can carry later clusters.

Common issues with Hoya ‘Chouke’

• Outer roots dry hard while the centre remains cold and wetLikely cause: The substrate contains uneven particle sizes or has separated into dry and compact zones.What to do: Repot into an evenly mixed bark-and-mineral substrate. Water the whole pot slowly until all sections are wet, then let every excess drop drain. Cut away any sour-smelling, black or hollow roots before repotting.
• A sharply defined pale patch appears after strong lightLikely cause: The glossy leaf received too much direct heat before it had fully hardened.What to do: Move the plant out of the hottest exposure and water thoroughly after the upper mix dries. Increase direct light only in small steps after the next leaf has hardened.
• The newest leaves harden misshapen while older foliage looks normalLikely cause: Thrips have scarred the leaf while it was still tightly rolled.What to do: Isolate the plant, rinse both leaf surfaces, and remove badly damaged tips. After a leaf test, use insecticidal soap according to its label and place a blue sticky trap nearby to catch adult thrips.
• A fine runner dries where it rests on the pot rimLikely cause: Repeated rubbing and a hard dry interval have damaged the slender stem at the contact point.What to do: Move the runner away from the rim or cover the edge with a soft sleeve. Cut behind a complete break to a firm node and root the detached section if it remains healthy.

Hoya ‘Chouke’ and pet safety

Hoya ‘Chouke’ is treated as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing leaves or stems can still cause temporary drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea. Keep the plant out of reach of pets that chew foliage, and contact a veterinarian if symptoms are severe or persistent.

A cultivar named for Emilio Begine’s wife

Belgian grower Emilio Begine named ‘Chouke’ for his wife. It is a distinct cultivar and the pod sibling of ‘Mathilde’.