Last year I had my first 2. Stored them all winter as DGers advised and they're doing great. One guy already is blooming and has a second info. He's triple branched and about 3' tall now. My problem is that I'm moving in a couple of weeks out of state and I can only fit so many plants in my car along with me and 2 dogs. I want so much to take him in tact, but don't think I can. What if I cut back all 3 branches (boo hoo) and give up my blooms for this year? If I cut them back he will be much more manageable. What do you think I should do? He can't go on the moving truck as it would fry him this time of the year. It's a Celadine.
My 2nd one is single trunked and he has been slow coming around. I repoted him a few weeks ago and is just now starting to get a few new leaves so I think he'll be fine. He's a Celadine, too.
Lastly, I got 5 cuttings when I was in Aruba in March and you'll be glad to know all 5 are coming along fine with new leaves. I know it really takes about 90 days for them to really root, but they are all putting out good leaves. They all get to go with me in their little pots. Don't know any of the names, of course, but some are dark pink and some are light.
So what suggestions do you have for the big guy?
Thanks!
My plumerias are moving
Since you have a second Celadine I think cutting it back would be a good option for the big one. You will, as you say, give up your blooms for this year on that plant.
Cut the branches about 2 inches away from the branching point, and this will help make new branches in time, which form from the old leaf scars.
Good luck on your move.
You can always save the branches you prune, f they are long enough, and root them when you get to your final destination.
It also may make it in the moving van if you give it enough water. Mine went 7 days with no water and above 90 degree temps. They took about a week to come out of the shock, but are doing great now. These are pretty tough plants.
Wouldn't it heat up to about 150 degrees in an enclosed moving van?
That is something you would have to ask the movers. But I think if it got up to that high of temp in the van other things would melt and warp, like plastic. Also, I don't think electronics would work very well after being heated to 150 for a long period of time. So I wonder if it really gets that hot. What are the daily highs where you are coming from and going?
This message was edited Jun 8, 2007 7:22 PM
Celadine is a fairly inexpensive cutting to purchase. Since you have another, why not take the chance and put in the moving van. If you loose it, you can purchase another, either way you will be starting with new cuttings. The cut plant will take just as long to branch and bloom as a new cutting will take to bloom.
Plumerias can take a lot of stress. They are not as delicate as we make them out to be. Where are you moving to? How long will it take the van to get there? Even if it gets to 150 degrees in the van, 150 degrees in a shaded van is a lot different from 150 degrees in the blistering sun.
Someone else may want to comment on this. What if you water it lightly and put it in a big plastic bag. This may prevent it from drying out. Also, I have read where adding epsom salt to your water may help it take the heat. You may also want to consider stripping the leaves. This should help if from dehydrating.
Lastly, how much are you taking in the car. You can't fit a 3 foot palnt in your trunk if you lay it on its side. You put the pot in a plastic bag and tie it around the base to prevent the dirt from falling in the trunk.
I would take the chance but definitely avoid using any plastic bags as that could cause too much condensation and steam the plant in that heat.
Also, if you mention it to the movers be aware you might be told they will not take them. In that case you might have to pack it carefully yourself and don't label it as a plant. ;-)
Thanks everyone. I'm moving from Santa Rosa Beach (near Destin) to Sunset Beach, NC (above Myrtle Beach, SC) to with the moving truck it will be a 2 day trip. Daytime temps will be about 90 all the way. Of course, it will cool off a little at night. I guess I'll take the chance. The car is being towed (I'm driving the truck. LOL!) so I'll see what all I can get in there. I've got lots of things I want to take. I really do appreciate all the advice.
BDunn,I would chance it.I would put the big one in the truck as is and not cut a thing.When you stop for gas and rest stops you could open up the truck's back and let the real hot air out.You'll probably be stopping 3-5 times and if you let the hot air out each time I'd wager that the most that would happen would be just alittle leaf stress and might lose a few.Just make sure you water them well before you load them.It will be dark in the truck so they will be taking up the water and will help with the stress.Heck I've got some rooting on pieces of black asphalt roofing and the temp around them is getting around 115-120 degrees between the pots and the side of the stucco house.They just love it,I keep them well watered though.They root real fast like that.
It's a risk I know but I think the load shifting and a branch breaking off is the bigger risk.Just a thought . Don
Thanks, Don. I'm going to give it a whirl as is and see what happens.
That's the spirit!!
I agree with Alice. Putting your plumeria in a plastic bag in a heated moving van is a good way to cook your plumeria.
It is also not true what Joe said:
The cut plant will take just as long to branch and bloom as a new cutting will take to bloom.
A cutting of a plant can bloom during or soon after rooting in the same growing season whereas a branch that is cut will have to push out new branches from the leaf nodes below the cut for one growing season and will bloom the following year. You delay flowering by one year on a branch when you remove the meristem.
I would definitely do as Don suggests and put one on the van and the smaller one in the car with you, but I bet they would both do fine in the van provided they are well-watered.
I would like to clarify something since I have been taken to task by two people for sometyhing I wrote.
I am not advocating that someone put a plumeria plant, or any other plant, in a plastic bag in full sun. I wouldn't do it in 50 degree weather, let alone 150 degrees. However, in a "shaded" truck, with no sun to contend with, is a different matter. Plants suffer stress in high heat due to dehydration. That would be especially so with a plumeria if the leaves were left on the plant. My suggestion for putting the plant in a plastic bag was to keep it surrounded by the moisture it would give off in the high heat. In a shaded truck I doubt that there would be any appreciable difference in the temperature inside the bag and the outside surrounding area. That would be different if it were sitting in the sun.
I have had plumeria cuttings and plants shipped to me by reputable growers that were enclosed in plastic bags inside the cardboard carton they were shipped in without any ill effect.
With regard to my statement.
"The cut plant will take just as long to branch and bloom as a new cutting will take to bloom."
I could have used a better choice of words. My point was that if he lost the plant and had to buy a new cutting to root or root the cuttings from the cut plant, he would be no worse off if he lost the plant by leaving it in tact.
Lastly, when I replied to BDunn's thread, I was under the impression that the plant would be riding in a commercial moving van that took several days to get to its destination especially if BDunn did not take up the whole van and it included others' moveables. My advice would have been different had I realized at the time that he would have the amount of control over the plants environment that he has.
I've had plants shipped to me in plastic bags, and they were mush when they arrived. It is not an advisable thing to do in my book, and I stand by my warning not to do it in a moving truck or in a shipping box.
I always so appreciate everyone's advice here in the garden. There are always so many knowlegeable folks that are so nice to pass along advice and help. Sometimes there are different opinions offered and I always think the receiver of information should, in the end, decide which route to take. I know everyone that offers advice is most sincere. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
I also think that once you spend enough time in certain forums, you begin to learn who the pros are and who has had more experience.
I'm sorry if I confused anyone by not initially furnishing enough facts and I do appreciate everyone's sincere suggestions. And I'm sorry if anyone felt they were challenged or taken to task.
I'll be sure and let everyone know in a few weeks how the move went for my little guys.
Barbara
No way Jose. No plastic, no plastic, no plastic. Ordered 100 cuttings. All shipped in unsealed plastic bags, inside a cardboard box. Only 35 made it to me without rotting! This was in March. And only over a three day period.
BDunn-Let us know what you do and how things go please. I am very curious to see how this works out, and how you go about doing it.
Thanks,
Davie