I love the scent of Plumeria hand creams and soaps, which got me thinking I want to grow them myself for fragrance. With very limited research I am seeing that these are very tropical plants. So I decided to come to the experts, does anyone think I can grow them here in NJ if I take them in for the winter? My impression is that there's no way unless I have a greenhouse.
Can anyone help me out?
Can I grow Plumeria?
I bought 3 at the Philadelphia Flower show and was told we can grow them here outside in summer and bring them in in the winter -- they will go dormant and lose thier leaves. but will wakr up in the spring.
I am concerned about how BIG some of them are! But I guess we would just have to keep them well pruned.
Heather (who is outside Philly and not far from you at all.)
Sure you can! Mysticwill is right. You can grow them outside in the spring and summer and bring them inside and let them go dormant in the fall and winter. Check out the threads here about winter storage: http://botanictreasures.com/psa/PCB.pdf/plumeriacare_bulls.pdf It's the article second from the bottom. And this article too: http://www.botanictreasures.com/psa/PlumeriaCare.html and here: http://www.equizone.com/winter.htm If you have a greenhouse, you can keep them growing all year long, but if not, they can easily go dormant and not mind a bit.
Thanks! Now my next question, I started to look at purchasing them through some of the internet sites on Watchdog, but they are very expensive. Has anyone ever obtained one through a trade on DG? I am really unknowledgeable on plumeria, so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Mina
Mina, people do trade sticks all the time if they have branches to cut. Most of us are just starting out with plumerias and, since plumerias grow rather slowly and only branch when they bloom, don't have anything to cut from at this point. Cutting plumerias also tends to disfigure them if not done correctly since they are trees. Some sellers have trees which they grow for the purpose of cutting on them and don't mind if they are disfigured because that is their purpose.
If you are just starting out with plumerias and are on a tight budget, I often recommend AlohaPalms to start with. Their cuttings are $1.99 each, and you won't find them much cheaper than that. They are unnamed plumerias as opposed to named cultivars, but they are just as pretty and smell wonderful. Here is their web site: http://www.alohapalms.com/ You have to buy a minimum of five so you will be spending $10 plus shipping -- still a bargain.
The other suggestion that I always make is Florida Colors. FC has very reasonable prices and quality cuttings. Maui Plumeria Gardens also has reasonable prices, but my first choice is always Florida Colors. Florida Colors has many on their web site, but they also have much more than is on their web site, and they publish a list every year of available cuttings and grafted plants. I would stay away from other Internet sites as most are overpriced, and often you can't be sure what you are getting. Here is FC web site: http://www.floridacolors.com/ Florida Colors has named cultivars and is highly reputable. Another web site that seems reasonable is Dole, but I've never ordered from them.
Just one word of caution if you will allow me. It's getting pretty late in the season to try to root cuttings. Cuttings need about 90 days of heat and warmth to root, and fall and winter are the most difficult times to root cuttings in because of the lack of heat. If you order now from AP, you won't get your order for about a month, and you'll be forced to root your cuttings inside on a heat mat and under lights. This can be tough to do. If I was in your position, I would order a grafted plumeria from FC. It will arrive grafted, which means it will be rooted for you, and then you can pot it up and help it adjust before you bring it inside for the winter.
Wow, this is great information! Thanks so much, I will try to see the prices of a grafted cutting from FC!
Well if you wan pot luck in flower color.. I have a cutting that broke off yesterday... real fresh... just for picking up... do you or someone make it into the city... at some point... Gordon
Are those big palm tree looking plants the plumeria in that picture? That deck looks beautiful against the NYC skyline!
Gordon, beautiful pic as usual:-) Are those your roof-top plumies? I'd like to see more pictures of your roof top plumies if you have them!
Whoa... awesome job asking the questions I was trying to spit out! ;) Thanks for such great info Clare_CA :)
Sarah
Outstanding rooftop photos Gordon. Can you tell me what that mega-vine in the picture is? I am trying to ID a vine I have that looks somewhat like yours although mine is not nearly as healthy looking.