Got several cuttings in March in Aruba about 10"-14" long. Potted them up in 1 gallon pots in April and I'm now getting new leaves. I just checked the weep holes and I can see some of the perlite (have MG potting soil with it, too) looks a little green. Aw Oh! Too much water! If I leave them alone will they dry out ok and keep going or do I need to change soil? Hate to change soil since they're just starting to root and they're so fragile right now.
Also, I have one about 2 1/2' tall with 3 branches. One branch has an inflo that's been there for about a month. NOw it's getting good leaves. How long does it take for an inflo to bloom?
Obviously, I'm a newbie!
Thanks!
Have I overwatered?
Since the cuttings have new leaves, that means that they are rooted or rooting. I always get algae on my perlite. It's no big deal and not a sign of overwatering. Don't let them dry out and don't change the soil. You will surely break the new fragile roots if you try to re-pot now, and it just isn't necessary. I get a lot of algae this time of year as most of my greenhouse plants stay perpetually wet. They don't mind it a bit since there is so much heat in there. It won't hurt anything. It can be scraped off the top with your fingers, or you can spray a little H202 on it if you wish. It will die off eventually.
As to when you will have flowers, it just depends upon what the cultivar is, how far along the inflos is, and how much heat you have right now. I am getting lots of 'Cancun Pink' and 'Celadine' trees blooming right now. I would guess that you should have flowers in a few weeks to a month.
Edited to fix error: It can be scraped off...
This message was edited May 13, 2007 3:50 PM
Thanks, Clare. All mine are sitting on concrete in full sun all day with an air temp of about 85. So I'll continue to water when dry. Maybe I should stick my finger further down in the pots to check for moisture/dryness.
The inflo is on the Celadine so I'll keep watching.
Hi Barbara, those sound like perfect conditions to me. You don't have to worry about overwatering when temps are that high. In fact, I never worry about overwatering unless it is winter. Plumerias love water as long as there is good drainage. Too many people under water. I water nearly every day now. I just water when the surface of the potting soil looks dry. I wouldn't stick your finger down there as plumeria roots are very fragile and sure to break.
Glad I checked in on plumerias tonight as I potted up my first cutting unrooted......Clare told me what to do, but I better start watering even though leaves are coming out the top in a hurry....I leave it in full sun so I need to be watering more often!!!!
That a girl;-) You've got that Texas heat so watering is really important where you are when things get hot!
On my way out the door............almost everything outside needs watering every other day now...........in a few weeks it will be a daily routine......