Tropicals & Tender Perennials: A few questions, 1 by Plumeriagod

Plumeriagod wrote:
Thanks to all of you for helping get this forum on here. I promise to be very active on this forum as well as the others! I've been propogating plumerias for 12 years now and last year was my first attempt at growing from seed.
My collection consists of 46 hybrid plumerias and 188 plumeria seedlings. Shelly, I too have had too fight the spider mites off! I never have a problem outdoors, but this year I built a greenhouse in my garage and they attacked like no one's business. I lost about 90-100 plumeria seedlings, before I conquered those nasty critters. I used a mixture of "rubbing alcohol" and water. I mix 1 part "rubbing alcohol" to 3 parts water. The "rubbing alcohol" fry's them almost on contact! HAHA:) Then I wipe the leaves with a clean paper towel. Always use a different towel on each plant. Even some of the spider mites can be alive and you can transfer them to another plant very easily. Also spray under each leaf, I sometimes forget their under there too! The rubbing alcohol may be to strong if you have your plants indoors. Just add a few drops of vanilla to the mixture to aleviate the smell.

My plumerias are still in a dormancy period too. Some gardeners want them to go into a dormancy period. They believe that during their dormancy period they become stronger plants and blooms are more heavy and vigorous!
I think it's just up to the individual gardener. If I lived in zone 10 or higher, I wouldn't let them go into a dormancy period. I would be to tempted to make them bloom all year!! LOL:)
I've found that over the years, the "rainbow's" or multi-colored plumerias are harder to root than others. It's not always the rule, but I've found it more difficult and time consuming.
Well, I can't wait to share tips, photos, and advice with everyone!!! I think it's going to be an exciting spring and summer.

Randy

(picture) "Sunset Heaven" plumeria. It smells like sweet butter and fresh coconuts!