---
title: "Question about changing substrates.. I'm in hardiness zone 10a and I…"
description: "Question about changing substrates.. I'm in hardiness zone 10a and I use coco chips, horticulture charcoal and #3 perlite as my Hoya substrate. Sometimes I'll…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/-Hvw2UpVTXuBN-5q5GuMYg/65498441c018473d0983102f"
community: "Hoya Hoarders"
author: "Amy Morgan Grace"
published: "2023-11-07T00:26:41.366Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/ulvyli9ldpglwkqhsctz.jpg"
---

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# Question about changing substrates.. I'm in hardiness zone 10a and I…

_Posted by Amy Morgan Grace on 2023-11-07_

Question about changing substrates..

I'm in hardiness zone 10a and I use coco chips, horticulture charcoal and #3 perlite as my Hoya substrate.  
Sometimes I'll throw in some coco coir and worm castings as well.

I've purchased rooted cuttings that came in either Leca or Lechuza Pon and because I have zero knowledge in hydro, I prefer my coco mix as it has proven successful for me consistently.

My question is about making the switch.  
I don't want to harm the roots.  
Have any of you switched from Leca or Pon to a chunkier coco mix with success/failure?  
Do you have any advice in this area?  
Any help is greatly appreciated💚💚

## 5 comments

### Cherrybergher commented on 2023-11-07

I have made the switch on a Hoya. I use a similar mix to you and I didn’t have issues other than noticing it slow its growth for a while but then restarted without any issues. Mine was a medium sized Hoya with many leaves however. That being said I do root my hoya cuttings in perlite in a hydroponic type method and then once rooted transfer them to my chunky mix and I have done that with dozens and dozens without an issue that was related to transferring it. If any of the leca are attached to the roots just leave them so the roots don’t get damaged during the switch and the leca will aid in more chunkier mix in your new pot which is good for the roots.

#### Amy Morgan Grace replied on 2023-11-07

That was super helpful, thank you, Cherry!

#### Anya replied on 2023-11-08

Do either of you have any tips for switching from moss to soil??

#### Cherrybergher replied on 2023-11-08

For Hoya? If so it would be similar but pull most of the moss off the roots gently if you can as too much moss compacted near the roots will possibly keep the moss wet too long. I assume when you say soil you mean a similar chunky mix as Amy mentioned in her post.

#### Amy Morgan Grace replied on 2023-11-08

I used to root in moss and perlite.  
What's in your soil besides dirt?  
As long as it's super chunky, it shouldn't be an issue to simply transplant.  
Just make sure those roots can breathe about as well as they did in moss and don't forget to water a bit when you put it in it's new media.

That's why I use the media that I do..  
Hoya are epiphytes, meaning they don't grow in soil in their natural habitat.  
Keep it chunky and you'll be alright💚

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