Welcome
The wonders of Hoya plants is extremely fascinating! It is my hope that you find the information you desire on your quest of further understanding Hoya plants, as well as the other interesting facets of this species, allied genera, plant parts, and herbaria. You'll even discover new Hoya information on these pages. Let your adventure begin...
What is a Hoya?
The genus Hoya is found in South East Asia through Australia. They are adaptable plants found everywhere from true rain forests through the slopes of the Himalayas, from semi-arid niches in Australia to damp forests. They range from vines, the most common form, to shrub-like growth. Most are epiphytic. Hoyas are in the family commonly known as milkweeds. They are most closely related to Stapelia, Ceropegia and Dischidia. They were first identified as a new genus by Robert Brown in 1802. There are now several hundred distinct species. Many of these species are in cultivation. However, the exact identification of many of these species is not always correct. All the hobbyist can do is maintain the identification that came with the plant and try to verify identity through photographs and descriptions.
-International Hoya Association
About:
ROBERT DALE KLOPPENBURG
Research Agronomist
When I graduated from UC Berkeley after WWII, I was hired as a plant breeder by Armstrong Nursery in Ontario, California where I hybridized roses, peaches, camellias, Heuchers, and berries - both raspberry and blackberry. Then I managed the retail nursery next to Kaiser Steel in Fontana, California as Assistant Ag. Director. In 1957 I moved back to Fresno, California and started a couple of craft stores for about 10 years. Then I went to work for Northrup King Company as a research agronomist, coordinating between plant breeders and farmers in Woodland, California, where I place tested plots of corn, wheat, sorghum, alfalfa...well, you get the idea. Much of my time was inside greenhouses and my own tissue culture lab where I grew orchids and finally hoyas and hybridized the orchids. Eventually, Norvartis bought Northrup King and I retired in 1986. However, I continued my Hoya research! I've traveled all over the South Pacific collecting and studying hoyas: Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Hebrides, Guam, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo, Okinawa, and Ponapae (and all points inbetween!). I hope you enjoy the journey of my life's work through the fascinating world of these beautiful plants: Hoya.
