I still haven't made it down to Florida Colors because my work is pretty much seasonal and until May 1 I'm a slave to my job pretty much. But, come summer my time is mostly my own and I'm all ready planning a few daytrips to nurseries all over south Florida. When I *do* go to Florida Colors I *will* bring a camera (which I will buy in the meantime) and hopefully post some beautiful pictures for y'all.
In the meanwhile....On one of my frequent trips to Home Depot for soil and pots I browsed the selection of larger plants and happened to spot about a dozen Plumeria rubra in 3 gallon pots. Locally grown here in Boynton Beach. For $16.99. I inspected them all carefully and found one with a thicker trunk than the rest (I measured when I got home and it's almost 4"), and 4 branches off the trunk. All the rest were skinnier and only had 3 branches. I couldn't help myself, I had to have it. Figured it would make a great "starter plumeria" to practice on and hopefully not kill while I'm waiting for my trip to Florida Colors. ;-D
It's all ready growing leaves and the roots are firm, plump, and healthy. It's about 2 1/2' tall. I bought a fancy 16" pot for it, and couldn't help but repot it immediately with Miracle Gro potting soil and a generous helping of Osmocote for flowers and vegetables mixed into the soil. I'm so excited! Ever since learning about how easy they are to grow at Dave's, I have actually spotted a yard with 2 full grown plumeria in my very own neighborhood, and have mischievously plotted a midnight snipping trip, garden cutters in hand...Now I don't have to. ;-D
I had to share my joy! I don't like HD plants, unless it's a few annuals for quick color or a particularly sad and pathetic looking reject I just *have* to rescue. But, on occasion one does strike gold. Wish me luck! I know I'll be turning here for help and advice in the future. Thank you for everything you've all ready taught me about them. I look forward to adopting many more exotic varieties in the future. ;-D
My first plumeria!
Hi Liila, you scored! Congrats on your purchase! It sounds like you got a great price for such a large plumeria. I promise you that you won't kill it!
I bet if you knock on the door of your neighbor's house and offer to buy a cutting from them, they would happily give you cuttings for free! Most people are happy to give away cuttings provided they are asked first. I'm glad your midnight snipping trip has been cancelled!
The HD here carries plumerias too from C-Stars nursery which is a local grower also, and they are quite nice! I have purchased some really nice things from our Home Depot that were twice as much money at a local nursery. I got some really nice cacti, which are fairly hard to find, and I also own two HD plumerias! I'd say you struck gold this time!
You live in an area where you can plant it in the ground if you wish, but it will be happy in a container for a long time if you want to grow it in a container. Just make sure not to overwater it since you have used Miracle Grow soil, which tends to stay pretty moist. Also make sure you have excellent drainage.
Congrats again! By the way, do you know what color it is?
Hi Clare! I've happened upon some pretty neat stuff at HD myself, the "must haves" I simply can't leave without because they're hard to find or such a great deal. I usually eschew their plants because I don't like commercially grown. They're like plants on crack that disintegrate when you take the crack away. They go through a phase of suffering and you really have to be patient while waiting for them to "bounce back" and get used to real gardening. That's why I repot in Miracle Gro. It gives them a dose of what they're used to while they're recovering from the unnatural conditions of the commercial growing environment. I think it was overzealous of me to use the Osmocote, but I had some a friend gave me to try and I knew plumeria's like their bloombooster. I will also spray weekly with micronutrients and Messenger every 2 -3 weeks because I'm astounded at the results of using it.
I knew it would be sneaky to snip away at somebody else's tree, but I drive by this place every day on the way to work. These people don't look very friendly and generally scowl at anyone driving by. I would just as soon expect them to greet me at the door with a shotgun as offer me cuttings from their tree. Maybe it's the thrillseeker in me that would have gotten a giggle out of obtaining cuttings by being naughty...This would have been done late at night while walking my dog, perhaps after a glass of wine. Sure seems like I'm hard pressed for entertainment around here, doesn't it? Sometimes for fun, I like to watch the grass grow! ;-D
I used Miracle Gro because it's what I had on hand. Only after my repotting frenzy did I think to check PlantFiles and read more about ideal growing conditions. I'm not water crazy, and have not killed a plant through overwatering in years. Dryness is more of a problem for me. I have aloes and succulents I've potted in Miracle Gro, hardly ever water and they thrive on rain alone. The 16" pot left enough room for root growth for perhaps a season, and I just find Miracle Gro to be the best quality potting soil available. I should have mixed in something drier, or potted in clay, perhaps. I will monitor closely and definitely repot should I notice it not taking off. I hate to repot again and again though, because they really do suffer for the upset. I did drill enough holes in the bottom of the pot to make it resemble swiss cheese, used my usual 2 - 3 " layer of rocks on the bottom of the pot to aid in drainage, and have it on an 8" plant stand so all excess water can drain freely. It gets so HOTHOTHOT here that in the midst of summer I sometimes do have to water the thirstier babies daily along with the sprinklers.
This one will definitely go into the ground at some point, but it won't be here and now. Probably in a year. And, when the time comes I will have an absolutely stunning collection of plants to settle into their permanent home. Call me backwards, but I figure if I have the plants I want, the permanent space for them will appear.
I have no idea what color it is. As is so typical with HD stuff the tag was purely generic with no real information. I've learned enough to know that "rubra" can mean just about anything. The surprise of finding out is part of the fun! ;-D
Liila, it sounds like you have done all the right stuff to ensure good drainage. I'm sure your baby will be just fine and that you won't have to repot. Once plumerias have a good root system developed, it is hard to lose them to root rot. Root rot mainly happens when the roots sit in wet soil and the temperatures become cold. This is not likely to happen in your area. Even in winter, yours should be just fine because of the drainage holes, rocks, and plant stand. I hope you get lots of flowers this summer. That fertilizer you added should encourage them:-)
Thanks Clare! You're always so encouraging, and always have a kind word to say as I've noticed again and again on the forums around here. It's people like you who make it such a pleasure to belong to Dave's. There's all ready new growth! I'm so excited. The roommate caught me inspecting it this morning and said "I hope you didn't spend a lot of money on that *stick*!" as she looked at me like I'm crazy or something. I told her "just you wait!".
LOL, you are too kind and give me too much credit but thank you for the compliment:-) You're right that Dave's has the nicest people.
New growth! Yay! I inspect mine every day, and things are slowly coming around. I'll post some pictures here pretty soon when there is something neat to look at. Here's a double inflo coming out of a single tip that is pretty cool. This doesn't happen too often, and it's never happened to me. It should be pretty exciting when it blooms. You're roommate will be astounded!
By the way, there is another Dutch auction on eBay if anyone is interested. I don't know this seller, but it looks like it is a nursery, but they won't ship to California or Hawaii fo some reason. Anyway, for those not in California or Hawaii, $2.50 per cutting is an excellent deal. Here's a link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=25463&item=4372490505&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
Clare~:
That double inflow is going to give you a whole basket of blossoms when it flowers. How many stems are coming out? Probably six!
And, I never really found myself peering at the new outflows. This is a confused wasp on a Teresa Wilder. I guess he just cannot wait for the blossoms to appear.
LOL, Brad! I just went out to check to see how many branches are forming. It's hard to tell at this point, but it looks like it could be six. Your inflo on TW looks pretty cool. That wasp wants it to hurry up and bloom. Your inflo's look farther ahead than most of mine do. It will be a few more weeks yet until I get flowers, I think. You could have them in another week.
Clare~
You already won the prize for first bloom. Done deal!
But I will race you for the next one. It's CA versus FL......... GO!
And how comes it's an "inflow"? I always thought it was an "outflow"!
Flyboy:
"Inflo" is short for inflorescence. :-)
delecie~
Thank you. Live and learn. I guess it's never too late.
How far advanced are your "inflows"?
Brad, technically my win really wasn't a legitimate win because the Lemon Drop cutting flowered while it was in the greenhouse where artificially warm temps were created. So, I'll race you for the first outdoor bloom, but by the look of your inflo, I think you're in the lead unless my Celadine moves faster than your Teresa! I'll take a picture of my most advanced one tomorrow.
Clare_CA:
Again -- you're on. I'll keep you posted. My whites are in the race, too.
Flyboy:
One of the inflorescences on my Aztec Gold has flowered and there are two more developing right behind it. Woo Hoo! http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/499015/
delesie~
OK YOU win! But, in all deference to your victory, you are almost in the Tropics. So, there, I am a sore loser.
And that Aztec Gold is beautiful. ;
Clare_CS:
Just so I'm not accused of hi-jacking Liilas thread, I'll post today's photo of my inflorescences on the thread I started: "A contest early and late" See you there.
LOL flyboy! You are too funny! Although the summers are extremely hot, there are some perks to living in zone 10b. I have year round blooms and color on some plants balanced against the dormancy and deer antler look of the plumerias in the winter. :-)
The plumeria ARE pretty gaunt in winter -- but PRETTY. My Teresa Wilder is still GAUNT, but trying.
delecie:
How's this for GAUNT. But we still think it's been PRETTY.
It's gorgeous, Brad!
Clare_CA:
Thank you. But when are you finally getting your TW?
Brad, that remains to be seen. It should arrive in May.
Clare_CA:
If not, I'll send you a chunk of mine, next year.
I return here mid-October
Thanks, Brad. That is sweet of you. I should have something to trade by next year if some plumies will cooperate and branch for me. Are you going somewhere until mid-October? You can't leave us until your TW blooms!
Flyboy:
You're right! Your tree has a nice architectural quality to it that makes it beautiful, even without leaves and flowers. Maybe my plumerias will grow up to look like yours does. :-)
Dear Brad,
You can "hi-jack" any thread I start anytime you want to! That's what they're there for, after all! I love your TW, and, truth be told, that's one of what I'll be looking for whan I get to Florida Colors this month! I think you're awesome, and grow some darn beautiful plumeria!
Sincerely,
Liila
Clare_CA:
Yes, and no. We return to Princeton, New Jersey. We have a house in a Active Adult Community. All I get to massage are the plant beds. I have some great perennials -- Nikko Blue hydrangeas -- perennial (Saucer plate) hibiscus -- a few weigela (for the hummers) etc.; so I'm not leaving DG, only changing addresses.
And, I assure you, I'll be inundating you with plumeria blossoms before we head North.
delecie;
Yours will. Give them enough breathing room, and be patient. And don't be too quick to chop away at it. You certainly possess the right climate.
Liila:
Thanks for the compliment. And, I wouldn't think of hi-jacking your thread. But you did start with a provocative title, so you'll get plenty of action. And I can't take credit for "growing" the plumeria. Our great climate does that. They seem to like it here.
Good luck.