I received seven Hoyas yesterday in the mail from Hirt's. I am generally happy with them but they are positively DRENCHED -the soil is very, very wet. I'm so afraid they are staying too wet. How long is too long to stay damp?

The weather here in So Cal is very hot. The air is on the dry side. Maybe I should just wait until they dry out a bit, get acclimated, then repot? Or do I do it now to save the roots from staying too wet. It's Day 2 and the pots are still heavy and very damp.

I'm reading conflicting advice about repotting right away. The plants are all so healthy right now and I want them to get acclimated to their new home, but at the the same time I am so afraid they are staying wet too long.

Thanks.

Hi annhashoyas,

Can you upload a photo or two, showing the pot and the soil?

I don't usually repot anything right away due to the plants already having experienced the stress due to being boxed up and spending time in transit. The nursery likely soaked the plants prior to shipment in hopes of keeping them from drying out during travel time and repotting right away will subject them to additional stress. I'd allow them to acclimate to their new surroundings for a few days before making any changes. Some nurseries use a heavy, water-retentive soil to prevent the plants from drying out during shipping and I usually always change plants out to my own potting medium after a period of becoming acclimated to the temperatures and conditions of my home.

Here goes...some photos of the plants.

Nice size plants and they look very healthy! I'd advise allowing them to acclimate to their new surroundings for a week or so rather than stress them by repotting. See how dry the soil is in another week and at that time, if it has dried sufficiently you could add a bit of water and from then on, better gauge how quickly it dries to know how often you will need to water.

I live in Florida where it's very humid; my hoyas are planted in a very chunky, fast drying mix and they stay outside year round where they go sometimes two to three weeks between watering. Since you are in a dryer climate, you may have to water once a week or possibly once every two weeks.

Hopefully others will be along soon to share their advice and suggestions.

Thank you!
Looking forward to being here, I love seeing everyone's hoya they are so incredible.

That's a beauty in your Avatar photo!!