Pest identification
What's eating my hoya sunrise?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy fluff in stem joints and along the midrib; honeydew deposits; new growth stunted or twisted
Control: Treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a swab; spray entire plant with insecticidal soap every 7 days for 3 weeks; isolate
Spider mites
Signs: Faint yellow stippling on upper leaf surface; webbing on undersides; leaf colour dulls
Control: Increase humidity around the plant; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly; check undersides of thick leaves carefully
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae in soil nibble fine roots; adults hover around the pot; young cuttings most vulnerable
Control: Let the top inch of soil dry before watering; use yellow sticky traps; drench soil with Bti solution if larvae confirmed
Keep hoya sunrise pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Hoya Sunrise pests — FAQ
What is eating my hoya sunrise?
Hoya 'Sunrise', a lacunosa × obscura hybrid, inherits both parents' susceptibility to mealybugs and spider mites. Its thick, colorful leaves can mask early infestations. Fungus gnats are a secondary concern if soil stays wet. Check stem nodes and leaf undersides weekly; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil at first signs.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on hoya sunrise?
White waxy fluff in stem joints and along the midrib; honeydew deposits; new growth stunted or twisted Treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a swab; spray entire plant with insecticidal soap every 7 days for 3 weeks; isolate
How do I get rid of spider mites on hoya sunrise?
Faint yellow stippling on upper leaf surface; webbing on undersides; leaf colour dulls Increase humidity around the plant; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly; check undersides of thick leaves carefully
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on hoya sunrise?
Larvae in soil nibble fine roots; adults hover around the pot; young cuttings most vulnerable Let the top inch of soil dry before watering; use yellow sticky traps; drench soil with Bti solution if larvae confirmed