Hoya ‘Rindu Rafflesia’

Name, code and origin of Hoya ‘Rindu Rafflesia’

Hoya ‘Rindu Rafflesia’, also known as DD001, is thought to come from Sumatra.

A home-growing guide for Hoya ‘Rindu Rafflesia’

Give the stems a support or room to trail in bright indirect light, away from hot sun and cold draughts. A humidifier can help where indoor air is dry.

Use an airy mix that absorbs water and lets excess drain quickly. Water when the pot feels lighter and the deeper mix is lightly moist, then drain fully. As growth slows, allow the mix to become fairly dry before watering again while some moisture remains in the root ball.

Temperature: Keep the plant in the 16–24 °C range, keeping it clear of prolonged chilling below 10 °C.

Feeding: Apply a light balanced orchid feed, preferably urea-free, about every two weeks while new growth develops. Pause fertiliser once periods of active growth has stopped. Once roots fill the container, choose a new pot only a few centimetres wider.

Use a clean, sharp tool to take a healthy two-node stem cutting. Remove the lower leaves and place that node in water under bright indirect light. Keep the remaining leaves clear of the surface and the developing roots submerged. Transfer to a small pot of airy mix after rooting.

What to do when Hoya ‘Rindu Rafflesia’ looks unhealthy

• Wilting with persistently wet mix: 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.
• White cottony material in 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.
• New fine speckling (stippling) with webbing: Look for new damage around the existing silver pattern. 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. If spider mites persist, choose a product labelled for them on indoor ornamental plants. Test a small area first where the label allows, then follow its directions for the dose, repeat treatments and safety precautions.

Hoya ‘Rindu Rafflesia’ 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.

How did Hoya get its name?

Hoya honours the English gardener Thomas Hoy.

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