I had repotted my one plumeria into a pot that I think is made of clay, but the soil hasn't dried up like the plain terracotta pots...so maybe it's not clay. Although it's doing well, should I have left it in the plastic and just hide the plastic in the clay pot? I did not think to ask before I did it.
What sort of containers do you have your plumies in, besides the plastic ones from the nursery? I would love to see your containers. Thanks.
Well, that one is fine as long as there are several drainage holes in the bottom. Plumerias need good drainage to do well. That looks to be a wide container, and the soil may take longer to dry out than a taller container. All of mine are in black plastic nursery type containers. The drainage is ideal in those, and they can be plunged in those, and they can be given away in those so it just makes sense for me to use them, but there is nothing wrong with using decorative pots if they are not going to be plunged. Here's one of my pics, showing the containers.
That makes a lot of sense about the width of the container. Thanks for the info. Your plumies are so tall and beautiful. How long will it take mine to be that tall? I see many closeups of the flowers here, but not so much of the plants. I especially love the odd looking ones with different branches growing in weird directions. Do you have any of those? If so, do you train them to do that or does it just come naturally?
Thanks for the compliment;-) It is hard to say how long yours will take to be that tall because some cultivars are tall growing, and some are not, and some grow at a faster paste than others before blooming. I'd say that most of those in the bigger containers in the picture are 3-4 years old. I don't train any branches, but I do straighten crooked trunks so they don't lean over in one direction.
Clare, I just bought this "white plumeria" for $15 from someone who was having a moving sale. It had the "look" I was looking for, but now I'm not so sure what to do with it. If I let it be, it will grow down and brush the ground??? Any suggestions on what I should do with it? It has 3 branches. Thanks.
Karmaplace I would stake it straight you have room in the pot for a stake and tie it. Looks like a nice healthy plant I bought one today my self at a yard sale pink 3-half foot there it was laying on the ground wind had blown it over. It just had to come home with me lol
Thanks dana, should I repot as well?
Yes, I agree with Dana. I would definitely stake it. Put a bamboo stake in the middle and use green stretchy plastic ties to pull it up straight and tie it tightly to the stake at the base, middle, and top. There is a section on straightening a plumie in my article: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/45/ After a while, it will be straight on its own, and you won't need the stake. It doesn't look rootbound, but it is hard to tell from a picture, but I would wait until spring to repot. This isn't a good time of year to repot. If you won't be keeping it growing in a greenhouse or sunroom, then it will go dormant for the winter, and the last thing you want is a root ball sitting on top of unused soil.
Thanks Clare...for the info and the link.
