Helping a hoya

Masterclass on: caring for wax flowers

- ANNE SWITHINBANK

Q About 12 years ago, I inherited an old Hoya carnosa from my mother. It has been in the same pot for at least that long and although it blooms every year, it looks pretty dreadful the rest of the time and makes little new growth. Should I repot this old plant? Della Thornton, Tisbury, Wiltshire

A I love hoyas (or wax flowers) and have often thought about collecting them. At one time, I might have had four or five different kinds, but they are not that easy to accommodate. Most of them have the capacity to grow into quite large climbers, while others are happy to trail. They enjoy good but diffuse light, medium-good levels of humidity and a minimum temperature of 45-55°F (7-13°C), depending on the species.