Actually, I was collecting Gesneriads before I got into Hoyas, and Violet Barn was where I first realized there was "more than one Hoya." So, back then I ordered every Hoya they carried, and that's where my collection started. Their rooted plants are smaller than a typical Hoya cutting, and they do clip big leaves for shipping (you can see this in Teisa's photo). But I have really been pleased with how well established their little starter plants are. I never really paid attention, as Teisa did, to how long ago they had been rooted, but 6 months is quite a while for a Hoya to grow in good greenhouse conditions. So these are great little plants especially for beginners to buy, because they really have their feet under them and won't be too sensitive. Plus, the price is right, and although they don't have any unusual species, they have some of the oldies-but-goodies that have gone a bit out of fashion and can be hard to track down. In fact, I just ordered a replacement serpens a few months ago, as that is another one that can be a bit of a pain to get your hands on even though it's not what I would call "rare." Doug, you just blew my little socks off with your pronouncement that you've only had one mealie. I am going to have to revise my thinking that mealies are a fact of life for anyone who is a serious collector.

Brown leaf tips on houseplants is often a sign of watering irregularity. Or possibly salts in both the tap water and/or any fertilizers that may have been used. Whichever cause, they are not critical. Depending on where you are located, this hydrangea should transition into the garden quite easily. But you will need to do so gradually, letting it acclimate to outdoor conditions over a period of time, usually a couple of weeks. And it will not be very happy in full sun. Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal or filtered/partial all day shade.

Glad to know I'm not alone in not being able to detect a fragrance. Eugene/greentoe told me to wait a few days and then check for fragrance. I don't mind not having a fragrance since the flowers are stunning enough by themselves :). I'll be having some fragrance here in the next day or so because my lacunosa var. pallidiflora is about to bloom! :D Brad AKA Moonwolf

And bear in mind that it may be 3 or 4 years before they flower. Mine did for the first time this year...and I was amazed at how many flowers on one stalk (12 I think)...but being ephemeral it takes them a while to "charge".