This is the first time I've ever tried growing plumeria from seeds. With Clare's help and seeds, I have succeeded so far.
Thank you Clare!
My first attempt at seedlings
weegy; congrats. Ways to go!
This little guy was planted the same time as the others and we weren't sure it was going to make it, but lo and behold the new leaf!
I'm nursing some seedpods on my plumerias now, hoping I can get them to mature by spring to sow them for the first time. I learn that with warm temp. These seeds are easy to germinate. I've a few sapplings that are being overwintered indoor. They don't require much care, but such beauty during the hot summer months. :-)
That's for sure.
I feel like a proud mama!
Ok,ok, someone please bring weegy12 some Cigars! Congratulations momma!
LOL!
LOL, with you. I can relate, and feel your joy. We've got to love those plumies!
It's become my new obsession. Counting these if they make it, I'll have over 40!
Beautiful photo, what's its name?
Congrats, Louise! You did good! Those seedlings actually came all the way from Thailand and are from my dear friend Kukiat. Kukiat should be listed as the hybridizer should you get one that you want to register or sell. I've got some going too so we'll compare flowers in about 3 or 4 years! LOL!
It's a mystery to me. A local gardener donated to my fav. nursery, they shared cutting with me in years past. I could never found her name. So she's "Mystique" to me. :-)
edit to correct spelling....
This message was edited Nov 16, 2007 3:21 PM
3 to 4 years?!!?!?? That long?!!?!? I was hoping for a bloom next year! LOL.
Mystique is beautiful regardless Lily.
Clare, thanks so much for your precious seeds. And your much appreciated wisdom.
You are very welcome, Louise!
Yeah, about the bloom time, you just never know with seedlings. I am having some bloom now that are four years old, but it looks like some are going to wait until Year 5 to bloom.
I can't wait 5 years!
I know a guy that waited 22 years for his seedling to bloom!
Tehehehehe, rub it in Clare. Weegy, cuttings will produce flowers almost the same year.....Clare will tell you that. :-)
No way am I waiting 22 years!
Lily, I've always done cuttings or bought existing plants but wanted to try my hand at seeds. This just seems more rewarding to me.
I agree, it's something about seeing the seedlings immerge right out of the ground, then grow and grow....I enjoy my blooms with the mature-plants that I've. While the younguns take their time to blossom. :-)
If seedlings don't bloom after five years, they shouldn't be kept as they are most likely poor bloomers.
Ok, I'll hope for the best...bloomers soon!
When I started my first plumeria from seed in Jan. '06, I was expecting to wait a long time to see blooms. Much to my delight, ALL of my seedlings (Rubra Red parentage) produced inflos this summer (even after being stored dormant last winter). One produced an inflo that dried up before blooming, but I did see some awesome red blooms on the other seedlings.
Now, I am hooked on starting them from seed. While I look forward to blooms, I really enjoy the process of starting them from seed.
Nat forgot to mention that she's an enabler. :)
I received 9 seeds from her this summer and all but one germinated. Really nice ones too!! Since then, I won 4 on e-bay and then if you meet up with Lauren, she can tell you what happened there, so I think my Plumeria count is almost as high as my brug count!!
They are a lot of fun to grow from seed and watch develop!! And, I hope I'm as lucky as Nat with the bloom time!!
I think plummies are addictive. I gave out seedlings at one of the spring swaps and I've received emails all summer from folks wanting me to know that they had ordered more.
Enabler, huh? :)
LOL!!! If the shoe fits!! :) It's a good shoe, though. :)
Well, when mine bloom next year (!!!) I'll post photos here!
Hi Nat! You got real lucky. Luc of Florida Colors recently said that Abigail seedlings are early bloomers and will bloom within two years.
Here are my stats: I sowed 40 seeds in December, 2003. Three bloomed right around two years old (2005). Nine more bloomed right around three years old (2006). Five more bloomed right around four years old, and 2 more have inflo's now (2007). That's 19 which bloomed out of the 40 in four years, leaving 21 more that are waiting until Year 5 or later, and I have to say that this is given that I have one of the most ideal climates for growing plumerias, and most winters, they don't go dormant here. I feed regularly, and many of these seedlings have put out false inflo's and branched, which is extremely common with seedlings. I'm not trying to discourage people from sowing seeds, but I do feel that it is important to let them know three things: they can take a very long time to bloom; they won't look like their parents probably; and, they could produce a inferior flower which should probably be destroyed to keep the gene pool from getting cluttered up with inferior trees. I know you know that it is the same with brugmansias. Hybridization does take a lot of work, responsibility, and careful consideration. I know Louise is aware of that as she is a professional grower, but I bet that there are a lot of people out there that will be asking why their seedling won't bloom on this forum in a few years.
Clare is certainly the person to listen to! I certainly wouldn't want anyone to expect results as early as I saw on this one batch of seeds. Starting Plumeria from seed requires an investment of both time and resources.
i got blooms on some of my 3 year olds this year paul