690 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



shaped tubers, but the flowers are not so bright as in the others 

 named. 



Hoya. — These plants in their native habitats are epiphytes, 

 growing on the trunks of trees in the tropical forests of Asia. 

 They are principally climbers or trailers, with ornamental 

 generally thick, leathery, opposite leaves, and lovely flowers 

 produced in axillary umbels. Hoyas are of easy culture. The 

 soil best suited to them is a mixture of fibrous peat and loam 

 with a sprinkling of coarse silver-sand, and pieces of charcoal 

 or lime rubbish and potsherds ; clean, well-drained pots 

 must be used. They require plenty of heat and moisture, both 

 at the roots and in the atmosphere during the growing season ; 



but during the resting period 

 they may be kept much cooler 

 and drier both at the roots 

 and in the atmosphere. They 

 are' not much liable to the 

 attacks of insects, but an occa- 

 sional sponging with warm 

 water is beneficial, keeping the 

 foliage clean and healthy. Pro- 

 pagation is readily effected by 

 cuttings placed in bottom-heat 

 under a bell-glass, but it is a 

 good plan to leave the cuttings 

 a day or two to dry before ; 

 inserting them. H. carnosa may 

 be propagated from single leaves 

 with or without a bud at the 

 base, but except as a matter of 

 curiosity this method is not 

 resorted to. 



H. carnosa (Fig. 450), the 

 best-known and greatest favour- 

 ite of this fine genus, is an 

 evergreen climber with thick, 

 fleshy, opposite, ovate-oblong 

 leaves and pink flowers, freely 

 produced in umbels. It is a 

 native of the East Indies, 

 and was introduced in 1802. 

 It is sometimes called the Honey Plant, owing to the 

 secretion of a thick fluid which hangs like a dew-drop from 

 the centre of each flower, and has the consistency and sweet 

 taste of honey. When the waxy flowers drop off, the short, 

 thick flower-stems should not be cut away, as they possess 

 the remarkable property of reproducing flowers for several 

 years. This plant may be grown on a wire trellis or trained 



Fig. 450. — Hoya carnosa. 



