I would LOVE to own one of these. They are soooooo pretty and if they smell anything the supposedly Plumeria scented products I have come across lately I would be IN LOVE with one!! Anyone have any to share?? Trade or Postage?? I have Leatherleaf/Mahonia (Barberry) starts, Pecan starts (very small--just developing root systems), Oak starts. LMK!! Thanks!!
common yellow Celadine
Hi SH, plumerias smell wonderful, but I've never come across a product that does the fragrance justice. You simply have to smell the flowers for yourself to see what I am talking about.
I don't have any at the moment to trade or share, but there are places where you can get one or more for only a couple of dollars. For people on a tight budget, I often recommend eBay Dutch Auctions as a source or Aloha Palms, who sells them for $1.99 each. With AP, you have to order a minium of five, but that is only $10, which is a bargain.
I have spent a fortune on my purchases of plumerias, and in a few years, if I am still living here in California and when I have some branches to cut, I plan to start a small nursery and sell them to help justify some of my expenditures. But that is a long way off and there are many "if's" involved. They are a bit like collecting orchids in a way. The named varieties and newly released cultivars are fairly expensive and a fortune can be spent acquiring them. Importing them from Thailand, India, and Australia is quite expensive too. Anyway, you don't have to spend a fortune to have a few. Here's Aloha Palms link: http://www.alohapalms.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi
Wow!! Thanks!! I am going to do this--as soon as we have our new computer out of lay-away and have Internet access again!! Wow!!! I can get 1 Kona Coffee tree and 4 different kinds of Plumeria for about $15!!! Unbelievable! THANKS!!!!! Bonnie
Clair_CA, thanks for the link to Aloha Palms! I've never ordered on-line, but those prices are too good to pass up! I have a TW that Flyboy shared with me and it's little leaves are growing by leaps and bounds!
The only survivor from the hurricanes of last year is a Singapore that I bought at a local nursery. I know it's supposed to keep it's leaves all year, but the poor thing was so banged around that they all fell off. Now they are growing back, and they are HUGE leaves! The plant doesn't seem to be growing taller, but it's side branches are growing longer and the whole thing is getting wider and wider.
I have a back yard neighbor that has a forest of Plumerias in the ground. When he trims back he just sticks the cuttings in the ground, and they're off and running. This is what I hope to do...have a long row down the fence line.
Pati
Hi Pati, Brad sent me a TW cutting too and is such a doll! It's just now starting to put on some leaves so it must be rooting.
Singapore is a great plumeria. It is supposed to be evergreen, but the leaves are dropped in all but the warmest climate -- Zone 11 and more tropical. It does have the growth habit of growing wider and wider. Singapore is very prone to Black Tip Fungus so you do have to keep it from getting cold in humid conditions.
Your row of plumies sounds great! Now is the time to stick them in the ground while we have the heat.
I'm gonna try and order on the phone (toll free number) today since I lost my job and do not know for sure when I will be working again and I want to get these in time to root well before Winter. Still 2-3 months here to go, should be enough time?! Still wish I could get someone to share cuttings but oh well--this will do for a start at least! hehehe Bonnie
Hi Bonnie! I wish I had some to share. If I had a big tree and was constantly trimming branches, I would be happy to share (provided I had the time to mail them out -- which, of course, I don't), but I don't have any big trees. All of my plumies are small, single-branched plants and no where near ready to be cut on. Plumerias are expensive, and you will rarely find someone willing to just give away cuttings. If you search, though, you will be able to find some good deals. Check out this link: http://www.mauiplumeriagardens.com/index.php?cPath=1&sort=2a&page=2 That is Maui Plumeria Gardens where you can buy a "mystery" cutting for $7.95, which is a good price. These are named varieties which have no labels but which can be identified after they bloom.
And there is always AlohaPalms, which sells them for $1.99 each, a very affordable price. You won't find them any cheaper than that. But it is true that costs add up when you calculate the pot, the potting soil, the fertilizer, the expense of watering over time so you may want to consider waiting until next spring when you can afford the costs more easily.
Plumerias take 60-90 days to root and sometimes longer so you will have to bring yours in when the weather starts to turn colder. It will also take about a month for your cuttings to arrive if you order from AlohaPalms. They can be a bit slow. I think August is too late to root cuttings, especially for a beginner, but you can still give it a try if you wish. You can always use bottom heat indoors to help the process along. Good luck!
Well, the main problem right now is I just lost my job so maybe I WILL wait until next SPring to order from AlohaTropicals. I cannot afford to buy everything I get--God KNOWS--but I want these pretty bad and I can get 4 different ones AND a Kona Coffee Tree for $15.70 total--so they will be the ones I go with (even though you have to root them yourself)!! I understand they are not cheap but I HAVE Brugmansias that I do cuttings from evey year. They, also, are not cheap to buy most of the time!! I accept postage or trade for mine!! And not small cuttings either like some people do!! Anyway, thanks for the tips/advice and I think I WILL wait until Spring so they will have a better chance of making it when I do get them!! Bonnie
Bonnie, you are right. That is true about brugmansias not being inexpensive either. Since you do have brugs to trade, you might offer a trade of plumerias for brugs in the trade forum to see if you get any takers. A while ago, when I was still trading, I traded about 10 different brugs for a Thailand cultivar, and it was a good trade. I also traded (with a different person) ten different brugs for an Indian cultivar, which was another good trade.
AlohaPalms is a bargain for $1.99 each, and they are perfect for people on a budget and for people who are new to rooting them. You might also check the Home Depots, Lowe's, and nurseries in your area because you might find them there also. The Home Depots have them here in Southern California, and Armstrong's and Green Thumb/Green Arrow are carrying them right now as well. I just went to Armstrong's yesterday, and they have reds, pinks, yellows, and whites for $10.99 for one-gallon rooted plants.
Nah!! These places here don't have much in tropicals--can't even find much in the way of Orchids. Only basic things everyone knows about and then expensive. Exactly why I can't afford to buy even a few of the things I like! hehehe The few I HAVE bought did not live long for whatever reason so it becomes a huge waste of money!! You know? Thanks! Bonnie
Bonnie,
Check your e-mail.....