Newbie Success

Hi there, Plumeria newbie here with some beginners luck to report on.

I did a trade with Dutchlady around Christmas time and received a Lemon Drop cutting. Not knowing anything about Plumeria's and without doing a lot of research about them (naughty) I stuck it in a Lays Stax potato chip container (good and tall to hold the stem up) with some potting mix and extra perlite. Watered it well and after draining it in the kitchen sink I put it on top of the fridge. This was on January 14. Today I decided to have a look and see if any roots were forming and eased it out of the Stax container and lo and behold! Roots!!! In two weeks!! Quite a few of them. I re-potted it into a 1G pot and used a stake to hold it up this time and have put it in the garage under the grow lights.

I'm thrilled to pieces because up until this point I have only successfully rooted mint. LOL! I know I shouldn't have pulled it out of the container so soon but I couldn't resist the temptation to check on it. I now also know that it will probably be another 3 months or so before I get leaves and more than a year before I get flowers. Plenty of time to learn a little more about them, don't you think?

congratulations, well done ( clapping )

Yes, well done. That particular white is a Florida local one called 'Lemon Drop,' not to be confused with the registered 'Lemon Drop' hybridized by Elizabeth Thornton. I actually got a couple from Hetty also a few years ago, and I use them often for root stock since that particular variety does root so quickly. It might flower for you this spring. If I remember correctly, the fragrance was rather faint, but it is a pretty flower.

Thanks very much. What a pretty picture, Clare. I can feel another plant obsession coming on. :-)

I love both Lemon Drops. My 'Florida Lemon Drop' as Clare calls it has a distinct lemon fragrance.
wgnkiwi congratulations on your rapid rooting success! Which one will you try next??

Thank you Hetty - it must be because you gave me such a strong & healthy cutting. :-) I'm going to have read the forum from start to finish and look over all the wonderful photo's before deciding. There are so many beauties. How do you decide which ones to grow?

Usually it is determined by FALLING IN LOVE when you see a flower. Or someone can recommend something that is particularly suited for your conditions. But falling in love is more fun!

Well, that describes my gardening style to a T! LOL. I LOVE flowers. So many plants, so little space...

I am obviously extremly fickle; I have fallen in love with flowers soooooooooo many times. LOL

Plumerias, hibiscus, ferns, begonias, bromelliads, bulbs of any kind; I am afraid I love them all........

You'r ein good company ardesia!