Plant Propagation part XXV based on my own experience

Lee, Seeds are awesome for plumerias. I love to grow them from seeds. They take about 2-3 weeks to germinate, but they are tough little seedlings. I soak mine in hot water over night, or for a couple of days, and then stick just the thick part of the seed in the potting mix, and leave the little "flag" sticking up. I usually put the whole think in a ziplock baggie 1/2 full of potting mix and I don't transplant them until the tops of the babies reach the top of the baggie.
I grow mine in pots and set them outside in full blazing sun until just before it frosts. During the winter, I put them in the greenhouse and honestly pretend they don't exist until after the last frost has passed in the spring. I have several different years ( seedlings planted from as much as 3 years running) and I am waiting to see a bloom. If I had any seeds I would share, but I have recently traded all of those I had.

Lee, there is a Plumeria Forum. I read that it takes close to 5 years to get blooms from a seedling. I have two and I purchased them both. Both were close to $25 but were nice sized plants. The larger are close to $50 but they do grow fast and they love the heat and humidity. I have no humidity but I have them in the courtyard which creates it's own humidity. They are now in my guest bedroom going dormant. I am always pushing the envelope when it comes to plants.

Funny but that is the only place in my life that I push the envelope.

We were suppose to get rain today but it must be lost. My sister just called from California, Ventura, and it is raining there. We are suppose to be in the 60s for the next two weeks.

I have not done much today. Just did not have it. Tomorrow I am going to pot some plants, take some cuttings, and mail a few things.

JB. I am with Lee, that is a lot of work to sell a tree. But you sound like you enjoy it.

Vern is loving his new sports car. His daughter is not happy. I told her, "I told you we were going to spend all of our money".
She wanted to know why I allowed him to buy a new car. I told her, I did not rule what her dad does. And, personally, I thought it might put some kick back in his step. My daughter thinks we are both crazy but the two grand daughters that have licenses to drive think it is wonderful. LOL.

But now I can buy something. But there is nothing I want except for all of you to have less pain, more energy and strength.

Big hug from me to you coming your way. Love Sharon.

That is funny Sharon. My sister's husband's daughter told her to quit spending her inheritance when they bought an RV. He wanted to travel before he died. Come to find out, she did not get much at all in the deal when he died. No, my sister did not spend it all. She is living on it.

The daughter gave him nothing but grief when he was alive. He left a trust for her young daughter and that was all.

Good for him. Vern wanted, if he died first, to give the kids 1/2 of the estate at that time. I said no way. I will need that for my nurse and living expenses. We were at the attorneys drawing up the trust. I answered so fast, I think I scared him. That subject never came up again. I am positive his daughter put him up to that one. The reason being I am 10 years younger than Vern. Does not mean I am going to out live him but more than likely I will.

Later Sharon.

I will share my feelings on inheritance and hope no one gets offended. I wish we could all die broke. With our last breath, so goes the inheritance. Just think, no fights, no worries, just no money. We have all worked hard all of our lives, and we should be able to enjoy the end of it. We shouldn't have to worry about leaving anything to those behind, they will work their way through and then have to deal with it. So goes the mind of this old lady!!!!

Lee

Oh goodness. I just popped on for a minute earlier and did not see a quick link to the next post, but did not go look for it for lack of time. I found you all.
It has been raining which we need. I put up the tree and it only has lights and candy canes on it at this point but it still helps me feel so holidayish.

Dawn, I am happy you found us, we've been looking for you .lol

Lee, believe me, I have raised almost every kind of meat animal you can think of and it is not easy to have to send them to their demise, but it for the good of the people buying them. I just must think of it that way or i could not do it. I even feel like I can hear my daffodils crying out when I cut them....that is crazy I know, but I wonder if it hurts them when I cut them. When I trim a tree, I wonder....anyhow the bottom line is, THEY MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY...........and I love making people happy.

It is really cold here today. just about 30 deg. and very windy. I had to start the truck and let it run for awhile so in case I need it it starts. It is not a cold weather vehicle. LOL The thing sits in the barn most of the time and I forget the battery will get cold and die if I do not keep running it every few days. So, I feed the cats, turn on the truck and take the dog for a walk then turn off the truck. What a wonderful way to start your day. HA

I am off to meet my friend and we are going to cut red holly for wreaths. More wondering if it hurts. See you later. JB

JB, do you look to make sure you have enough gas to get to the station if you run it out just sitting there warming up? LOL Wouldn't that be the pits to need it and it was out of gas from warming it up each morning?

Don't you worry about starting it up and some of the cats being under the hood keeping warm? I did that one morning. I went out to go to work and the neighbor's 2 kitties were under the hood. You know the rest.

Just a warning. Have your son or SIL look and see if there is a hood around the fan to prevent that. I think they might have done that on some vehicles.

It's 10 degrees out there and Bob has to go see if he can get the tires unstuck from the ground. Brrrrr.

Howdy:
i guess I walked in on a big one. I am 8 years younger than kim as she puts it she was planning on us bein close to the same age when we go to meet our maker, but with all my health issues who knows what the outcome will be.

she has set up her life insurance to be split the way she wants the kids to end up with their share and then once I go it will be to who ever I feel it should go to ..."i think" of course she has it set to where the house will be paid for so I can either stay here or sell and move to a smaller place. maybe a place with a bit of land.... who know what the future holds.

have a great evening
Dave

None of us know Dave. Sounds like Kim has a good head on her shoulders, as my dad would have said. Good for her.

Dave, those topiary displays are fantastic. Wouldn't it be great if we could have just one. Thank you for sharing. Lee

Yes she does and I feel lucky to have her in my life. She is a CPA which helps too. She has had to deal with a few estates so its made her even more aware of what a mess it can be. the last one was in california ....what a mess.

anyone else want to see them send me your email. My mom forwarded the pics without the site so it difficult to post.

LOL, I was wondering what you were seeing Lee. Wondered where I had been. I was looking all back thru here.

Yes Dave, would love to see them. You have me in your book.

Yes, Dave. They are absolutely gorgeous. What do you think the red and purple colored plants were?

We need Evelyn's and Linda's e-mail address.

Today was a beautiful day and I did just about nothing. I had a hard time going to sleep last night. I think I finally went to sleep around 3am. Woke up at 9:30am. Did not feel awake until around 11am. Our neighborhood is extremely quiet the majority of the time. We had a nice rain last night for the majority of the night. No noise to wake us up so we both just slept.

I think I need to make myself a list and get in front of my face so I can get back in my groove.

Lee, I like your idea. Spend your last dime the day you die.

When Vern went to have his pace maker adjusted last week, they turned up the beats per minute. His appetite has improved and he is eating like his old self. I guess I am going to have to do some cooking.

Jnette, glad to hear your hubby is back. Todd and his family minus Luke went skiing and snow boarding again last weekend. They did not have school on Friday because of the snow.

JB, Linda and Lee, looks like all of you are getting bad weather.
Dawn glad you found us.

I still have no Christmas decorations out yet. Will I or won't I, that is the question?????

Love you all. Goodnight Storm. Storm, meet Luke.

That is so cute. Boy,does that boy resemble his dad!!

Guess I am going to have to go see if the topiarys are on the desk computer. Think I must have left it open. Darn!!

If not, I can resend to you. You were on the cc list.

Yes he does look like his dad. They are so happy in your neck of the woods.

Glad someone is. LOL, right now I could take sunny Las Vegas.

Well then come on down. We are going to be in mid 60s for the next two weeks.

mornin:
I am hlad you liked the, I sure did. the daker color is barberry. it is a tough one to mess with

Wow, I was really wrong!!! I thought most of them were a type of sedum. Don't see why they wouldn't work tho, seems like they would be less work, since they grow so low to the ground. The colors would really give the dimension to the forms. Probably wouldn't be able to contain the soil to keep them alive and well. At any rate, I love them. Hey Dave, you are elected to try one. Lots of work, but then we could all come and admire it. Just pick the good days to trim. On second thought, maybe we should elect JB. :) Hope all is well for everyone., Lee
ps. Storm is living up to his name. Unpredictable!!!!!
Lee

`Well, I was right. The topiaries did go to my desk computer. I will go in and look at them today. The more comments by you all makes me more and more curious. LOL.

LOL, Lee, that is what puppies do. And that is how storms are. Stormy!!

Sharon, Luke is a real cutie! That is about the age of the children I teach. They are so much fun at that age.
I think the sedum in a topiary would be a great idea. If not sedum, why not ajuga. there are some varieties with the dark leaves. It's a thought. I have the patience to try one, just not the attention span. LOL I would forget to go maintain it.

I've been working on my seed box! Yipee! I am going through things I left to dry and never went back to package, getting rid of things I packaged too soon ( yuk!) and planning what I will winter sow and what will be spring sown for the next year.

Oh, it is now too cold! It was 22 on my porch this morning and DH waited till I put my feet on the cold hardwood floor to tell me the wind chill was 12. He was sweet though and took DS to school so I didn't have to. ( gotta love the hubs.)

I am going to work a little while longer on my seed list, then I have to get busy. Have a funeral to go to tomorrow, so the rest of the week is iffy.

Sea ya

Linda, I'll take your 22 degrees any day. Ours is 10. Jeanette

They do make a smaller frame to stuff with spagnum moss and soil in the center. The reason I am thinking barberry is because of the air temps in the winter. I have always wanted to try one but never got around to it..... and yes I do have an official round to it...lol
Dave

Luke sure is adorable Nana.
I was going to answer Daves topiary forward email he sent me but it vanished into the abyss.

So, Linda, what do you teach one year old children.

I actually worked outside today for about 3 hours. The weather was absolutely beautiful. They said Sunday we will be 70 degrees. Jnette, cannot even imagine 12 degrees. Linda, isn't that temperature a little low for your area. I wonder if JB and Lee are snowed in. They showed an area this evening that already has 4 feet of snow. OM....

Dawn thanks for the Luke comment. How is everything in your area?

I walked the front garden today and there is a major amount of cleanup to be done. With the temperatures in the high 60s I think I will spend some time outside tomorrow.

Dave, I think all of us have to many things to do to worry about a topiary.

Later guys. Have a great day tomorrow. Vern has a doctor's appointment with his cardiologist.

Well, it has warmed up here so it can snow. 28 for a low!! That is good. Not a lot going on and I am still snowbound with no vehicle.

My nephew came over yesterday and took me into town to the post office, library, and store. 'course got in there and couldn't find my list and forgot the laundry and dish soap. So, guess I don't have to do those two things while Bob is gone. LOL

Oh well, the funeral is today so after a few things to tie things up tomorrow, he should be home on Friday. That will be good. Maybe he can dig everything out while I take the car and head south. LOL

Well, I guess when it rains it pours. Now I can't get onto my email program.

Well Sharon, your family would not be skiing in 80 degree weather. LOL, That is nice that they all enjoy it since there is access to several ski facilities in the area.

I have always wanted to do a topiary myself Dave, but like Sharon said, just never seem to find the time. I never would have imagined them out of sedums, and yet don't know why not. The sedums are beautiful. So many different shapes and colors.

How did Vern's appointment with the cardiologist come out Sharon? Good I hope. Does he still feel good? And eating good?

ttyl,

Hello you lovely people. I am not snowed in, nor do I want to be. When some of you are snowed in you send "naughty" emails to those of us who have dirty minds and other things. LOL I must say, when I get a private email from any of you, I am never surprised at what I receive. I love it but I almost wet myself with this last one. You know who you are you bad one.

I too never tried a topiary. Does a Chia (is that what they are called) Pet count? You know what I mean , those little orangeish things you wet and put seeds on? They have them in forms of people now. Our President, Oprah really weird looking. I saw that on TV honest. No, I have never tried one of those either smarty pants, Jen.

I have been busy helping the neighbor get holly and greens for wreaths and cooking for the weekend coming up. It is my turn to feed the crew. Pulled Pork BBQ, Veg. Soup and a store bought cake.

Weather is windy as all get out and very cold. My new heater for the GH is still not here and so far all is well. I have two orders to fill and then I think I may shut down for awhile.
I need some time off, it is getting too cold to ship and I also am very low on plants. I will make up my mind over the weekend, if not before. The neighbor wants jasmine and gardenias for Easter and I do not know if I can even provide her with them. My plants are NOT growing the way they should...the temp and humidity in the GH is fluctuating so much I can not keep things normal for a day anymore. I am so frustrated. Have a good evening. I am tired and need to eat something. JB

Nooooooo chia pets do NOT count. Cripe. sheesh chia pet. For a topiary? Maybe the lazy person's way. Whoops, didn't mean to criticize. :>)

You don't want my snow? Well, it is warm out there now. 38 degrees!!! The snow is melting. Would you believe that? It might even be gone for the year. LOL

Talk about global warming!!

Go find yourself something to eat. Gin and Tonic or whatever you mix does NOT count as food. I know Sharon. Tonic is (what is it?) verboten, taboo, or what?

Have any of you looked at the site on Propagation forum (Propagation: Top 10 Easiest to Grow from Cuttings)?

It's kind of fun.

There is snow close by here. LOL there is a house a few blocks from my Mom and whenever it gets real cold, they set up a sprinkler and a fan and cover their yard in snow. It sure is out of place here, even when it is this cold, but my Son thought it was the most awesome thing he had seen in a long time.

Jnette, I love that top 10 easiest from cuttings. I still go there now and then. I have seen some strange chia pet forms, but Oprah, LOL that is just funny. I guess there are people much more creative than I around here. ( or maybe they just have more time on their hands.)

Anyway, hope all is well with everyone, stay warm and happy, Linda

Sharon, I meant to answer your question too. What i am teaching the little ones is in a Bible Study,. At first when they put me in the nursery, I thought I would be just babysitting, but we have a routine and even as young as these children are, they know what to expect and are ready for it. We have a set of twins that are just 13 months and they have actually said Bible and some of the older ones follow the stories. We use a felt board and other things and several of the children can tell you who the characters are in the stories you are teaching them. I was amazed......I never dreamed that children as young as 9 months to a year actually understood what things meant and looked forward to a routine as much as these do. We have 9 regular children from 8 months to 2 years old.
Thank goodness it only lasts for 3 hours, sometimes all I need after that is a shower and nap. LOL I really enjoy working with them though.

3 hours, how often Linda? I suppose the younger you start them on anything like that the faster they pick it up? Also, I will bet the young ones are fascinated by the "older" 2 year olds. LOL

Funny to be talking about 2 year olds as older. : )

Jeanette ~ Doesn't that tell you something? My parents taught me to read before I went to school. Also, my sister, as she is 10 years younger than I am. I wish they taught me math as well, then I might have done better in school. It certainly does make a case for early education. Parents do have a certain amount of responsibility in this as well. Schools do not educate, but do help. The student must want to learn. That is on the parent. I am sure you will feel more comfortable when Bob gets back.

Sharon ~ Is Vern still doing well? What were the results of his tests? Do you like his new car? D-mail me regarding your impending shipment, OK? So I guess cleaning in one area will result in a remodeling in another...hmmmm...maybe more to come when it looks so nice!

Dave ~ I have not forgotten about your books. We went to Sacramento again today, and we finished the planning of decorating the living room...after 20 years, it's about time, huh? Steve was astounded at the prices of drapery. It will be lovely when it it is finished.

Dawn ~ Was I going to send you something, I don't remember?

Mary ~ I will have to wait until spring or maybe if we get a dry spell in between now and then to get yours out to you. Remember, they are very small quantities, OK?

OK, I must go now. Have a good night's sleep everyone!

Evelyn

Evelyn, Mary is gone. Evelyn, D-mail me your e-mail address. We need to add you to our outside DG list. Vern new car is just another car. I get more excited about Blue flowers and unusual plants than any car.

Jnette, tonic is for wimps. The kids from here go skiing, it just takes about 3 hours to get there.

JB, I love pulled pork. I will stop by this weekend.

Linda, now nursery at church makes sense. My daughter had that calling many years because she had 5 children so it was easier for her to do her children and the rest at the same time.

Vern's doctor appointment was good. We go back in three months. Go back to pace maker mechanic in two months. He is eating more like the ol' Vern.

Where is Dave??? I have a busy day tomorrow and Rose Society pot luck tomorrow early evening so I need to get to bed early. Chow. Sharon

I don't think back then they knew how much better children learn the younger they are. Did I get that right? LOL,

Yes, you are right Evelyn, I do not like being here so isolated and no way out. Vehicle wise. But, Bob said he was leaving as soon as he is done with the Realtors tomorrow. Which means he should be in here about 8 tomorrow night.

You will have to take pictures for us Evelyn. I was expecting to hear from a painter for my interior walls this last week, but nothing. Just as well though as it would have been almost impossible for him to get in and out with equipment etc. Maybe after Christmas.

Yes, Sharon we were expecting good news on Vern today. Maybe tomorrow??

nite now.

LOL, should have known not to count Sharon out. We crossposted.

Glad for Vern's good report. I knew you would correct me on the tonic.

And don't know why I asked Linda how many days a week she did the kids. My nephew is in charge of the young kids part of his church in Texas and has over a thousand kids. Isn't that unbelievable. It must be an entire day getting in and out of the parking lot. I guess the churches in the South are mammoth.