i read on plumerias101 that it can be benefical for them to be "plunged" into the ground. mine has been falliing over, so this seemed like a logical solution. will the more steady temps that th roots will get in the ground hepl it bloom sooner or grow more? mine has never bloomed, i got it from the Exotic Plumeria about 2 yrs ago.
P.S. its a "california sally" plumeria
Plumerias do really well when plunged. The root zone temps stay cooler, and you don't have to water as often. You should see increased growth as the roots grow out the drainage holes. A regular feeding regimen will help with blooms. 'California Sally' blooms well on the ones that I've seen so it is just a matter of time, good nutrition, and plenty of sun and water.
sry 'bout the quality of the pics
ok good! :-) i feed it pretty regularly. about once a week, if im not out of town
I just repotted a huge plumie, put it in a bigger pot, the roots were hanging out of the bottom of the pot, had to cut them. I just don't want it to get much bigger as the spot I have it is under the eaves. I hope I did the right thing.
Hi Louise! It's fine that you cut the roots. They'll grow back. At some point, you may have to root prune and also trim to keep it the size that you want.
It is now permanently in the pot I just put it in. Thanks Clare, I just had hoped that I did the right thing and didn't kill it, it's my biggest one...about 6 feet high and 3 feet around, it's just your everyday ordinary smelly good white one. Thanks again buddy!
I got a kick out of your expession 'everyday ordinary smelly white one' .... made me laugh!!
Your plumeria looks so healthy. Lately mine have got mottled looking leaves. I have most of them right in a sunny window, and thought the glass was giving them too much intense sun. I moved a couple of them and their leaves look great now.
Smelly good white one! They all smell good! I referred to it as that as I don't know the name of it. Maybe I'll name it..."smelly good white one." What do you think?!?!!?
I like it - good for a laugh and a smile.
I'm always up for a good laugh and to make someone smile. Maybe it wasn't the best choice or words to describe my unknown plumie, but at least it gets a chuckle!
I was given a noid white - I think it will join yours and I'll make a label - 'Smelly good white' LOL
LOL! That's what I'll do..I'll have to charge a fee for using my name though!!!!
Speaking of fertilizer for plumies, any advice on what ratio? I noticed a bud on mine and I haven't ever fertilized it and I don't want the bud to die, so I wanted to give it a little incentive to keep going...
A balanced ratio is best;-)
I know that my name sort of betrays my postings, but I do have some "Non Edible" plants that I do enjoy.........LOL. I have always been partial to edible landscape, however Plumerias have always facinated me for many reasons. I am now on my second year of raising several varieties (don't ask, as I couldn't tell you what they are....I promise I'll get better) and believe it or not I am getting my very first bloom that happens to be on my tallest plant. They are a beautiful yellow colour with a subtle, yet very awesome fragrance. I have a friend in the Dallas area that gave me my first plants who seems to be very succesfull in getting them to bloom but none of the ones that gave me have bloomed yet. I realize that some of you ardent/hardcore Plumeria enthusiasts will cringe at this, but this blooming plant I actually bought at Wal-Mart last year. Go figure. My friend in Dallas told me that from my description this might well be the "Celidine" variety.
I did go to the Plumeria Society of America webpage this morning and read about recommended potting soil, etc. This year I did re-pot all of my "Plumes" in much larger pots with broken clay pot pieces and gravel in the bottom for drainage and a potting soil that is made here locally (Nature's Way Resources) based on a very rich mold compost. I have also been using this same company's organic, slow release fertilizer (Micro-Life). It has been extremely wet here in southeast corner of Texas that have resulted in temps of high 80's to low 90's with humidity anywhere from 40 to 90%. Needless to say, this absolutely destroyed my tomatoe crop.
I have read many of the postings here and was just hoping if anyone might be able to take the time to assist me in learning more about Plumeria culture. I have no problem either actually planting my "Plumes" directly or in their pots, that I believe you call "plunging?". I guess that this posting if more out of my frustration in getting these increadible looking plants to bloom. I have been successful with my Hibiscus, Chrysanthemums, etc., but have struggled with my Plumerias.
I want to thank anyone that is willing to finish this posting and is not too frustrated to help a real "noobie". I personally have helped many frustrated tomatoe/vegetable gardeners so I know how thwarted you can get. Thanks for your assistance!
When you say mold compost, are you talking about leaf mold?
Generaly, too much organic material in the potting mix is not recommended for plumerias. I would think that if this potting mix you are using is mostly mold compost, it would not be fast draining. Also, compost has a tendency to be compact and your plant roots may not be getting enough oxygen.
If your friend in Dallas is having success with her plumerias blooming, you may want to ask her what she uses for a potting mix. Isn't her climate the same or close to yours?
Thanks Claire!
Sigh...does anyone read the FAQ's Sticky Thread that I compiled? LOL! Here's the link: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/599185/
Tomatomaniac, I compiled the links and organized them just for the purpose of allowing people to educate themselves on plumeria culture! There is so much information there if you will take the time to read it. If you still have questions after reading it, I'm sure there are people here that will be happy to answer you. For one thing, you need to get rid of that gravel on the bottom of your plumies. It will actually keep your soil wet at the bottom instead of providing good drainage. This has been covered very well before, and an in-depth article was written by someone very knowledgeable. I'll look for the link, but I bet it is found in the Sticky Thread.
This message was edited Jul 31, 2007 5:03 PM
Tomatomaniac, here is a good thread to read: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/636470/ Specifically, look for Stressbaby's comments about gravel at the bottom. Also, here is an excellent article: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/contain/msg0201290112896.html?107 That same article is here at Dave's: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/527353/
This message was edited Jul 31, 2007 5:04 PM
Clare,
Thank you very much for the links to the appropriate articles. The postings of "tapla" were increadibly useful. I can understand your repeated frustration over the apparent oversight that users of Dave's Gardens seem to be guilty of regarding NOT using the/"your" "Stickys". You obviously have a passion for Plummerias just like I do for tomatoes. I personally have not found it very affective making unfounded assumptions about those I have tried to help. Most gardeners I know are quite casual hobbiest. I DID READ over the Stickys! I regret that my apparent over sight(s) has caused you such consternation. I thought that this was a forum of "friendly" exchange of ideas, thoughts, and guidance.
I realize that we all have a great deal to learn; and since my retirement from Dentistry, I finally have had the time to read and study about everything from vermiculture to soil science. What I have really found is that most of us don't really have a clue as to what is scientifically sound. That is why I recommend Dave's Gardens to all of my friends that love this hobby. Cooking is another passion of mine and understanding the principles of something always allows me to "intuitively" do things much better.
From reading the link to "tapla" about proper soil preparation/construction for potting plants, all I can say is that it is amazing that anything has been able to live for very long the way the gardening industry has "MIS-INFORMED" all of us. I find that using gravel, broken old clay pots, etc. is about as WRONG as TILLING my vegetable garden was..........LOL. Iowa actually has a program AGAINST farmers tilling excessively. If you study soil science as I have attempted to; you rapidly can understand how counter productive all that destructive tilling is and can be! Once you experience the benefits of something you have learned and actually put into practice personally, as I have, and see the quantum difference, you wonder why in the world the "word" doesn't get around more.
Now I can see that I have a great deal of repotting to do as well as searching for the proper "wicking" material for drainage.
Thanks again for the "help" and directing me toward the proper direction.
Regards,
Tomatomaniac
This message was edited Aug 8, 2007 12:38 PM
