Philippine Hoya Conservation Group eyeball and plant exchange

La Mesa Eco Park , Fairview, Quezon City-Philippines

poster of the event

Eyeball:

The eyeball and plant exchange was organized by Mr. Edward Ines Agdeppa a plant collector, environmentalist, farmer, organic grower , cactus and succulent collector  among others. He formed a group of  Hoya plant lovers and collectors . He made an announcement  on the first week of  March 2013  in  Plant Hobbyists Exchange Club ( PHEC )  and Philippine Hoya Conservation Group both in yahoo groups and Facebook sites. The small but close knit group was formed by Mr. Agdeppa for people having the same passion for plant collecting and propagation . The group desire is to establish a Philippine hoya sanctuary in major town and cities across the country.

group picture

La Mesa Water Reservoir

La Mesa Eco Park:

The La Mesa Ecopark provides healthful outdoor recreation and a true forest experience. It is a living classroom and laboratory for environmental education and aims to be a center for biodiversity conservation. Today, the park continues to be a popular destination for photography shoots, family outings and picnics, and educational field trips. In fact, it doubled visitor traffic – from getting 155,666 in 2005 to 281,846 in 2006. The Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) in coordination with the Department of Tourism nominated the Project in August 2006 for their Best Tourism Practices Awards. In 2007, the Department of Tourism again nominated it as an official candidate for the prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Awards, Environment Category.

a narra tree with 2 species of dischidias on its trunk

The group had chosen the place for the plant exchange since most of the members are residents of  Fairview and Quezon City area. But some members allotted their time and had to travel long distances just to come and attend the event. Aside from sharing our common passion for plants and gardening . This is like our bonding moments .

Fascination:

My first encounter with Philippine hoyas was in our own neighborhood , A home owner growing some orchids and hoyas in their backyard sometime in 1991 ! I saw some flowering vines which looked like santan , But it was different since it grows like epiphytes in a coconut palm with native orchids. I was given some cuttings of Hoya carnosa by our kind neighbor but a long drought in 1993 killed my own hoya.  Eventually some dischidias and hoyas would be given to me as cuttings .

Mr. Vincer Quibral

Mr. Quibral hails from the province of Camarines Norte , He started collecting hoya plants several years ago from his trips to Cagsawa, Albay and other places. He would specialize in hoyas, native orchids, medinillas .  He also allotted the date just to come to the eyeball.

Mr. Mac Pagsolingan

Mr. Mac Pagsolingan hails from Pangasinan , He had to travel all the way to La Mesa Eco-park just to attend the event. A member of Philippine Orchid Society and various plant societies- He had several plants which won top prizes in plant shows.

Address: Pagsolingan Garden Center, Tocok ( Highway ) San Fabian, Pangasinan

Contact :+63( 0917-5505473) , +63 ( 0918-9659353)

a short talk – with Mr. Mac Pagsolingan

A short talk led by Mr. Agdeppa , Mr. Mac Pagsolingan and Mr. Fernando Aurigue Jr. about the propagation techniques of hoyas and its relatives.  Mr. Mac Pagsolingan  gave tips on how he propagated his hoyas with high percentage of success. He uses floral foam for the small cuttings, which he also dips in rooting hormone. Bigger specimens are grown in coco coir and husks. .  Then the hoya exchange started with some members bringing spare plants to swap . An attendance raffle followed and luckily the author won a Hoya waymaniae donated by Mr. Mac Pagsolingan

Link: http://www.myhoyas.com/W/waymaniae/eng.htm

wacky pose by the members

The participants all went home with smiles, especially the ones who won very nice pots of different Hoya plants and cuttings  by Mr. Mac Pagsolingan and some other attendees.   Until the next plant exchange ! Hoya be with you !

Website: http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/bk/lamesa-ecopark.html

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/145885998815237/

Philippine Hoyas: http://www.bar.gov.ph/digest-home/digest-archives/64-2007-1st-quarter/1493-janmar07-hoyas-8