Let me start off by saying I'm up there in years (been retired for close to 20 years now) and have always grown houseplants. Literally all types. When I lived on Long Island, I built my own little hobby greenhouse from plans I developed myself. I grew orchids at the time and had over 70 different species and close to 110 plants. Needless to say, it was a very crowded little greenhouse!

When I moved to PA, I took a lot of plants with me, but not having a greenhouse, and working a lot of hours, I lost the majority of my orchids, some very rare but I couldn't grow them without a year round GH. I purchased a small 8x12 greenhouse, but because it's frame is metal, it's good for maybe 3 seasons (depending on weather) then the plants need to come inside due to the cold. I have it jammed packed at the moment with a lot of houseplants, but sadly only two orchids.

A while ago I rediscovered hoyas. They are perfect for me. I can put them in the greenhouse in the spring, and bring them inside in the fall. They then get placed in various windows, along with a wide variety of Philodendrons, Dracinias, Sanseveras, bromiliads etc. where they do well. This year I joined FB and found some sellers at reasonable prices, $10 or less, and was able to increase my hoya collection. They were cuttings, unrooted in a lot of cases, because I enjoy growing them rather than buying a fully grown plant. I enjoy taking care of them and seeing my labors rewarded rather than having someone else grow them out then I just take over the care. For such little guys, they are presently growing well!

What I would like to try, because I enjoy plants with huge leaves ( have Bird of Paradise, Prince of Orange, Congo and numerous dracinias which all bloom in the winter and fill the house with a very strong fragrance) is a hoya Imperialis. I realize there are a lot for sale on FB or ebay etc, but the prices are up there too since it's relatively rare. Being on a fixed income, I need to be careful what I buy and when.

My question is - does anyone know where, off the beaten path, I may be able to purchase an Imperialis cutting or start at a reasonable price? If not, that's fine because the enjoyment is in the journey, very seldom in the destination.

I might also mention that finding this site has helped since I enjoy reading and learning, and it has been most helpful.

Stay safe and stay well everyone, and keep enjoying your plants for many years to come.

Hi Mugsie,

Honey Plant (Hoya imperialis) is one I had twelve or more years ago but lost it to a freak winter freeze when I was away one year. Mine came from cuttings that I got in a trade. I hope you are able to find cuttings available somewhere because it sure is a Hoya with big beautiful blooms!

I'm sure I'll find one at some point, it's only a matter of looking. There's no rush on my part, and in a few months the cooler weather will begin again, so maybe my search will extend into next year, which I'm OK with. I just wanted to try for some huge flowers is all.

You stay well and take care of your plants. They reward us in a myriad of way. With all the crazyness going on today, they're my sanctuary.

Stay well and all the best.

Ebay! Set your search notification! Also- many hoya groups on Facebook have people buying selling and trading hoyas all day every day.

There is Hoya imperialis red plant on e-bay right now.

Cora, I found a Hoya Imperalis Red listing on ebay with an asking price of $42.99 + $65.00 shipping from China/Hong Kong/Taiwan.

This one is US seller


Right now bidding at $38 and ends in a day.

Bob Smoley is offering cuttings $16! Could that be right?

https://www.bobsmoleys.com/hoy...

It doesn't say how many nodes for the price; it could be per nodes. Anyone, here have experience from this site.

I'm placing an order with Bob Smoley. Will let you all know how it works.

These are the three plants I received from Bob Smoley today. Finlayson, Nicholsonii, and Fungii. They look pretty good considering they were likely grown outside. All have new growth. Prices were VERY good. We'll see how they do in the next few weeks. They weren't in transit very long--less than a week.

It's difficult to tell from the newspaper securing them in the pots but from what is showing, they look good! Are they rooted plants or are they fresh cuttings surrounded by moist sphagnum moss?

I notice they list prices on their webpage but they don't say whether the price is for rooted plants, or cuttings. Their statement is contradictory, it says they offer hoyas one way and one way only but then the statement reads: " ALL PLANTS WILL BE SENT AS EITHER ROOTED PLANTS OR MOSSED CUTTINGS."

If you are happy with your purchase, you should consider writing a review for the company in our green pages, here: Bob Smoley's Gardenworld

They are in a bark mixture. I didn't root around in the pot to see how rooted they are. I put them in a "hospital" box to rest for a while. Same thing I root my cuttings.

Aah, sounds good! I grow everything in a combination of potting soil, perlite and orchid bark mix (leaning heavily on the orchid mix.) It's a light and airy medium that's perfect for Hoyas.

plantladylin said:It's difficult to tell from the newspaper securing them in the pots but from what is showing, they look good! Are they rooted plants or are they fresh cuttings surrounded by moist sphagnum moss?

I notice they list prices on their webpage but they don't say whether the price is for rooted plants, or cuttings. Their statement is contradictory, it says they offer hoyas one way and one way only but then the statement reads: " ALL PLANTS WILL BE SENT AS EITHER ROOTED PLANTS OR MOSSED CUTTINGS."

If you are happy with your purchase, you should consider writing a review for the company in our green pages, here: Bob Smoley's Gardenworld

I think he means "his way."
You have to send him your wish list wait for a PayPal invoice. He got back with me in a couple of days, I think. Ebay prices are giving me heart palpitations. These were $12-$14 dollars plus shipping.

DaisyI said:Bob Smoley is offering cuttings $16! Could that be right?

https://www.bobsmoleys.com/hoy...

Bob Smoley is deceased. He passed a few years ago. I knew him he was a really nice guy. I guess no one has ever taken his website down...unless maybe his wife is carrying on his business

I think his wife Mary Ann is still running the Gardenworld

She must be. When I got the confirmation email for my order, I didn't see a name. I just assumed Bob Smoley was still there. The plants are nice. Hope she can keep feeding my frenzy.

Bob used to come to our local Spring Garden Festival at the local botanical garden every year. I have so many plants in my collection that came from him. He hybridized some of his own sans, one is named after his daughter. He was a hoot too, very funny guy, always wore this white apron that looked like a butcher's apron. He was from Dunnellon which is not all that far from me here. I always looked forward to his booth. I believe he died from cancer. Its been 4-5 years ago now. He would always have the hoyas, sans, cacti but would usually have a selection of other really cool stuff as well.

I'm glad you shared that, Gina.