Hoya carnosa ‘Krinkle 8’

Origin and history of Hoya carnosa ‘Krinkle 8’

Hoya carnosa ‘Krinkle 8’ arose as a mutation on Hoya carnosa ‘Exotica’. Lloyd S. Magnuson propagated the mutation from stem cuttings at Leesburg, Florida, and assigned the patent to B. L. Cobia, Inc. U.S. Plant Patent 3,008 was published on 8 December 1970.

What Hoya carnosa ‘Krinkle 8’ needs to grow well

Give ‘Krinkle 8’ bright indirect light and room to trail, or train its stems around a hoop. Keep it at about 18–27°C and 40–60% relative humidity, away from hot sun and temperatures below about 13°C. Gentle airflow around the foliage is useful.

In chunky, freely draining mix, water when the pot feels light and the mix is nearly dry throughout. Check moisture deeper in the mix before soaking the full root ball and draining it. As growth slows, the mix will take longer to become nearly dry; check it before each watering.

A light balanced orchid feed, preferably urea-free, can be applied about every two weeks during new growth, following the label. Pause when growth stops. Flush with plain water every few months. Repot one size larger when roots outgrow the pot; replace degraded mix without upsizing unless needed. Check for feed already in fresh compost.

For propagation, take a one- or two-node cutting with a clean blade, wearing gloves because the sap can irritate skin. Root its lower, leafless node in lightly moist mix, with foliage above it. Keep warm in indirect light; use a loose, ventilated cover for humidity where needed. Pot into airy mix once well rooted.

What to check when Hoya carnosa ‘Krinkle 8’ is struggling

• Additional shrivelling or softness in the dimpled leaves: The leaves are naturally dimpled and should feel firm. Check whether the mix around the roots is dry. If the root ball is dry, water thoroughly and drain. If the leaves still wilt after watering, inspect the roots. Avoid repeated watering while the roots are still wet.
• Wilting while the mix stays wet: Persistent wetness can damage roots. Drain trapped water and inspect roots if decline continues. If you find a small amount of root rot, use a clean, disinfected tool to cut the soft roots back to firm, healthy tissue. Throw away the rotten roots and old mix. Repot in fresh, airy mix, using a clean pot just large enough for the roots that remain. The pot must have drainage holes. If decay is widespread, save only healthy stem cuttings. Discard the plant if no healthy stems remain, and disinfect your tools afterwards.
• New bleached, crisp patches on exposed foliage: Hot sun or a sudden increase in light can scorch leaves. Move the plant into bright, filtered light. If you later move it to a brighter position, introduce the stronger light gradually. Existing dry patches will not recover; retain healthy foliage.
• New speckling (stippling) with fine webbing: Inspect damaged leaf undersides with magnification; tapping a leaf over white paper can help locate mites. Confirm spider mites before treatment. Isolate the plant, gently rinse both leaf surfaces and let water drain. Recheck every few days and repeat rinsing while live mites remain.
• Cottony insects around the leaf joints: Confirm mealybugs beneath the wax and isolate the plant. Remove visible insects with a damp swab or tweezers. Inspect sheltered leaf joints, stems, the pot and any support weekly, removing any mealybugs you find until none remain. If mealybugs persist, use a product approved for home use against mealybugs on indoor ornamental plants in your country. Follow the label for how much to use, where to apply it, when to repeat treatment and all safety precautions.

Hoya carnosa ‘Krinkle 8’ is non-toxic to people and pets

• This plant is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
• Chewing a large amount can still cause an upset stomach.
• If a large amount is eaten and symptoms continue, contact a veterinarian or medical professional.

What does Hoya carnosa mean, and who first published it?

Hoya honours the English gardener Thomas Hoy. The Latin epithet carnosa means fleshy and refers to the thick leaves.

Robert Brown established the genus Hoya in 1810 in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, page 459.

Carl Linnaeus the Younger first described it as Asclepias carnosa in 1782 in Supplementum Plantarum, page 170. Robert Brown later placed it in Hoya as Hoya carnosa in 1810 in Asclepiadeae, page 16.