Well, the temps mirror the NY Stock Exchange in looking a bit like a roller coaster around here. I moved my lone plumie to a spot that's getting more sun, now that we've passed the quarter day of the season. The 2 inflos are being stubborn (like the rest of the plumie), and won't finish into flowers {sigh}. I suppose I'll be bringing it in around Labor Day or so, setting it up in a warm spot or with a heat mat and under a CFI for the winter. I've become much more philosophical about gardening since the deer ate my LimeLight and Radiant Red hydrangeas, Fragrant Cloud rosebush (thorns and all), and every carnation, and show no fear of my 2 collies.
I don't see why I should let the plumie go dormant; I can keep my adenium collection going in my office all winter on a heat mat and under CFI. Cut down on water, no fertilizer until next spring. Is this a reasonable plan?
Clare and Hettie (or anyone who knows about overwintering plumies in the northeast)- do you recommend a plastic tent or a tray and pebbles or both to humidify the plumie (something the adeniums definitely do not need).
Thanks in advance.
When temps mirror the NYSE ....
Beverly, treat your plumerias like your adeniums -- they don't need that either. They just need to be kept warm and added heat and light will keep them growing and keep them from shedding their leaves. The light should be added from before the sun goes down and extended until about 9:00 p.m. ideally. Some people even keep light on their plumerias in the winter 24/7 with great success. Michael (Malestrom) and GordonHawk both have plumerias and are back east so they would be good people to consult with. I think there might be a thread of Gordon's under Overwintering in the FAQ's Sticky Thread. He has a rooftop garden and brings his large plumerias in through a narrow skylight and keeps Metel Halide lights on them and keeps them growing with normal water. The biggest challenge to growers during the winter is keeping spider mites at bay. It is usually a good idea to give them a spraying before they come in and then several times during the winter.