OK. I know it's still June but I'm starting to think about what I'm gonna do come winter. I still have an Aztec Gold and Miami Rose on the way from Florida Colors and I just ordered an Apricot Dreaming from Brad. I am now up to 7 plumerias since I joined Dave's a couple of months ago and it's all Malestroms and Clares fault. LOL! ( Just Kidding Guys ). Although I think you two could probably get someone addicted to buying plain ol weeds with ya'lls enthusiasm. I will be overwintering my plants inside (apt. living) and am wondering what kind of setup I'll need to keep em going. Come on Malestrom I know you have the answer. I was looking at the Metal Halide lamps (WooHoo they aint cheap) so I need to figure out what would be the best way to go to take care of the Plumerias, Ferns etc that I have. I keep telling myself I'm not gonna get any more Plumerias this year but there's at lest 4-5 more that Brad has that are on my list. I'm also gonna try my hand at starting some seeds so that I won't end up spending so much on regular plants. That way I'll have more for PLUMERIAS!!!!. Yippee! Any thoughts guys?
Metal Halide
Hetty,
Scoolie may not have anything else to do LOL!!
Hi Scoolie,
As long as you provide intense light and at least 70 degrees youll be fine.
Watch the moisture, its probably best to stay on the drought side.
Buy a water meter, they are indispensable, your finger is not enough to test moisture.
1 inch down may be dry, then 7 inches down could be soaked and root rot follows.
Light, heat and a fan too, keep an oscilating fan on them.
Do all this near a window if you can. Heat 24/7 and light for no less than 16 hours!
Follow all this and youll do fine. Dont feed until spring rolls around once youve brought them inside.
The seedlings are a different story all together.
No less than 16 hrs light from a 4 bar flourescent, use 2 natural sun bulbs (outdoor) and 1 yellow , 1 white.
Bottom Heat no less than 85 -90 degrees 24/7 Id go as high as 104 if you can. minimum 90 is best 85 will do.
Keep us posted!! ;^)
Since you have an apartment, overwintering them might be tough since you may not have a basement or a garage or a dark room to overwinter them in. Keeping them growing with heat and light is probably a good idea. You could put them by a sunny window, and the extra MH lighting sounds perfect. I would keep your apartment heat above 60, and if warmer, then you will need to water as the soil gets dry. Remember that cold/wet is a bad combination, but if your apartment is a contant warm temp, then you don't have to worry too much about rot. What Michael said is good advice, but remember that restricting water and light induces dormancy so you want to keep the soil moist but not wet. Michael is right on about the fan. Good air circulation is important; otherwise, spider mites and aphids will appear on the back of the leaves. If you can take your plumerias out on a sunny day and give the leaves a good blast with the hose every now and then or even mist regularly, then that will help to lessen the inevitable insects. Spraying the leaves and stems with Neem before you bring the plants inside is a good idea. As fall approaches, there will be lots more good advice here as well. Also check out the overwintering links in the FAQ sticky. Glad that Michael and I could help you get excited about plumerias!
This message was edited Jun 29, 2006 6:15 AM
Thanks Clare, Malestrom and Dutchlady. I'm gonna start making my list and checking it twice. I'll start shopping around to find the best deals on the lights. Thanks for the help.
scoolie
Try JungleBob and Cajun
I believe one of them sells used units.
E-Bay also