I was able to pick up for free 3 healthy and large (over 7' tall) plumerias this weekend. The previous owner wanted to keep the pots so I have them sitting in the shade in plastic trash bags. They were root bound so the rootball is intact. I know that plumerias are very forgiving plants. The weather is beginning to cool here in Austin. SInce 'fall' is approaching, do I repot them as they are or do I remove the leaves and knock the dirt off the roots and store them in garage till spring? Thanks, Charles
WHAT TO DO?
Charles;
It depends on what condition that you've at hands to provide your plumies. They require lot of light, warmth, and good circulation if they were to thrive indoor. Your climate is about same as mine. So I took the initiative to send you my; first congrats on your new plumies, second I send you my sympathy, for they require lots of care. All and all, you'll enjoy your new collection regardless.
Option #1 Let them continue to grow indoor with all the requisits mentioned above.
Option #2 If you decide to ease them into dormancy for storage until next spring, then you just need to find good dried, dark area, such as an unheated garage, besure to let all the water dried out. All the leaves will drop, but that shouldn't be a concern, they'll grow right back once normal growing condition is being provided. Removed all the plastic. Provide a basket of some sort for them to lean on their side. In the spring, then take them out and prune those root bound, and pot them fresh. ....
I've this thread to share...hope that helps.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/754182/
This message was edited Oct 16, 2007 1:02 PM
Dutchlady1, I lost the tag for one of them. The other tags are labelled 'Rainbow Lei' and 'Yellow Stripe'. The unknown is a medium pink. By removing the soil and leaves, don't the roots die? Do they need to be removed, too? Seems kind of harsh treatment but I know they are tough. What would the roots still be viable if I was to leave the root ball as is, removing the leaves and put in a plastic pot? Would I have a jump start on next year?
Lily_love, thanks for the link.
Charles
Hi Charles, yes, you can do either. Either pot them up and keep them outside until the nighttime temps drop to the low 40's or so and then bring them in and store them in their pots and let them go dormant, or you can store them now and let them go dormant without their pots. You can shake off the soil or leave it. You can remove the leaves or leave them. They will fall off eventually as the trees go dormant if you decide to leave them. Here are some relevant links for you, copied from the FAQ's Sticky Thread:
http://www.theplumeriasociety.org/spps/ahpg.cfm?spgid=23
http://www.theplumeriasociety.org/spps/ahpg.cfm?spgid=31
http://www.plumeria101.com/greenhouse.html
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/585058/
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=1674697
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=1675678
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=1676214
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=1676544
The last four links are about what Paula does with her plumerias, and she is in Texas also. I believe she moves her plumerias into her garage around Thanksgiving and does shake the soil off of the roots and removes the leaves before storing them for the winter.
This message was edited Oct 18, 2007 3:45 PM
Thanks everyone for your help. I looked at the tags again last night. I was mistaken with the name of one...it is Candystripe Yellow. Charles
Best of lucks to you Charles,
Keep us posted with your progress.
I live in Philadelphia PA
Cold and wet, short seasoned.
I bring all of mine inside and select about 50 to keep going through the winter.
The other 150+ I store in the pots in my basement with flourescent lighting.
I keep the temps above 50 degrees ans lightly water once a month
I also run a fan 24/7 to keep them dry and thwart the spider mites.
Its easier to store so many in their pots.
Ill root prune in the spring when I wake them up.
Cuttign prior to dormancy leads to rot.
They need to be pushing latex to heal open wounds.
No growth spell means soft brown cut ends and infection that travel through the plant.
I find winter storage to be low maintenance aside from the 5 hrs to get them all inside.
Hi Michael! It's good to see you here!
I have a Scott Pratt that just started dying from the top. The bottom is still hard but the top half is soft. Is there any thing I can do to it or is it gone? Thanks Elaine
Elaine, Is this a cutting or a rooted plant? If it is a cutting, is it on a heating pad? Have you checked the bottom if it is a cutting? Rot usually starts at the bottom, but it can start at the top on a rare occasion. Can you provide a picture? It doesn't sound good in any case.
i am new to my large plumaria (a gift) and can either take it into my atrium--filtered light, house temps (70's) or into the cooler garage-i read all your advice and see that both are acceptable but is either one better?
I removed all the leaves and dirt. Do the roots become viable once they are potted in the spring? Also, how do you keep the plants upright when they are repotted? Thanks, Charles
Linda, keeping them from going dormant is better. They flower soon and grow better by not having to come out of dormancy. While in dormancy, rot can happen if temps are too cold and damp so keeping them warm is always preferrable. Trying to match their natural tropical conditions is always the best way to go.
Charles, like any lilac or wisteria or fruit tree that is barerooted that you might find in chain stores like Home Depot, the fine roots dry up and die, but the main roots will become hydrated and active again. New fine roots and main roots will develop. If the plant is top heavy at the time of potting, a bamboo or plastic stake is often used until it can hold itself up on its own.
Here's a link to Emerson's web site which shows how he stores his plumerias for the winter. He is in Texas: http://www.emersonsplumerias.com/dyncat.cfm?catid=3171 Here is also a link showing how Paula bareroots her plumerias: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/534865/
thank you clare--i would have guessed it was better to let it go dormant (kind of like letting it rest i guess!) so i am glad i asked--i will enjoy having it in the atrium where i can see it too!!