What potting medium is recommended for growing plumerias in pots as I am considering trying to grow a couple this coming Spring? Thanks, Lee
plumerias
Most anythng that's well drainning is good.. they like to be on the dryside.. more than wet.. and love bottom heat.. having the pot near a heater inside is great.. or putting the pot on a stone or driveway is most helpful.. they can tollerate being underplanted better than anything I know.. which is also another aspect of being dryer.. you'll seldom error keeping them dry... and will pay dearly for keeping them too wet
Actual mileage will varry
I grow mine in regular soilless potting mix (usually Miracle Gro organic potting mix, but there are plenty of other brands that should work too). You'd probably be fine putting them in cactus mix too if you think you might tend to be a bit heavy-handed with the watering can (although even with that you'll still need to be careful).
GordonHawk and ecrane3, thanks for the suggestions. I thought that I had read somewhere to plant them in a cactus/succluent medium. If I get 2, I'll try on in it and the other in the Miracle-Gro. Being in this climate zone, I'm also wondering if they'd be able to tolerate full sun all day? What is your opinion on that? Too, how often would you recommend feeding and with what ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium? Thanks, Lee
They generally like heat so I expect they'd be fine--I have mine in full sun and we get some days as hot as 110 in the summer and they just bloom more and have never shown any signs of stress. Can't help you on the fertilizer--I'm really lazy about that. I think this year I did give them some Dynamite slow release stuff when I put it on almost all my containers, but last year I don't think I fertilized them at all and they bloomed fine then too.
ecrane3, one more question. Here in the Deep South during the Summer, the temps can and often do get to 100 and the humidity can get up to 65-70%. What of that combination? Lee
They're native to places like Central America so I don't think they mind humidity at all, and although they do fine with our dry heat I suspect they're probably happier with a little more humidity.
Thanks ecrane. I was just looking on a website for plumerias and the prices and was a little taken aback at the price of them, nearly $30.00 for a 4 inch pot. Have you any suggestions as to where I might get a couple at a lower price but still be of good quality? Lee
Lee...Well .. try rooting a cutting..or growing out from seed ..both aren't as automatic as spending money.. and opening a package ... you 're buying time .. if you've more time than money.. that's the way to go..
I just drove by Golden on theTrace.. I could have dropped a cutting off with you.. there might be one here ... but they wouldn't do the mail very well right now.... in the 20's here and there.. it wouldn't take long in the back of a truck to upset them ..
as for ferts....like many... a more balanced one for growth.. and the bloom booster types for flowering are acceptable.. not much in the winter inside..
Unfortunately plumies do tend to be on the expensive side. The best deal you'll get is if your Home Depot carries them during the warmer months--I have a pink one that I got there in a 15 gallon pot for probably about $30 or so. But if you can't find something there, then I'd go for cuttings over rooted plants, that can save you a bit. I get most of my plumies from Plumeria Gallery--they've got some cuttings for as little as $5-$10 although if you want a fancier variety you'll pay more. I'd recommend cuttings over seeds--I've tried starting them from seed but they will take much longer to bloom, plus you won't know what flower you're getting vs with a cutting you'll spend a little more, but you'll know what it'll look like and it will bloom sooner (although not necessarily the same year you buy it). Plus you avoid all the things that can go wrong with seed starting (poor germination, damping off, etc) http://www.plumeriagallery.com/catalog_c244231.html
I've got a seed to flower in 9 months from planting.. but that was exceptional... and required growing it on my 145* F roof... [ as I mentioned before you can't have the roots too hot ] and exceptional ammounts of ferts and addatives.. hormones..
write me in the warmer weather .. and I'll send you a no id cutting for postage.. most likely a white with a yellow center... I had maybe 100' of limbs I trashed in the fall.. not finding anyone to pick them up.. I couldn't go through a mass mailing..
Firstly, GardenHawk, how so very close you were to our house and I would have loved to have met you and cooked you a good ol' Southern meal. I would have cooked collard greens and ham hocks, cornbread, fried chicken, some steamed carrots with ginger sauce and who knows what else. Are you originally from Brooklyn or do you have roots in the South, if this isn't too personal? The next time you are this way, let me know and I'd love to meet you. Thanks for the offer on the plumerias. It was kind of you to think.
ecrane, I will be in the Florence/Muscle Shoals, AL area in a couple of week and I can check at Home Depot regarding the plumerias. I would rather go with the potted up ones than the seed grown. Surely, I can save up the money by Spring and get what I want. The fert. question has been answered and I appreciate it. If plumerias are as addictive as orchids, then I'm in for it. I'll check out the link you were kind enough to add.
Thanks to you both. Lee
GordonHawk, thank you for the offer and indeed I will take you up on the offer as the warmer months arrive. It really doesn't matter what color it is. It's the fragrance that I remember and was so tantalizing. I am much obliged. Lee
Lee--I'm not sure you'll find plumies at HD this time of year, they'd be more likely to have them in spring/summer. Still worth checking, but don't be surprised if you have better luck during the warmer months.
Yes, I suppose it would be too early but maybe they can give me an estimated date of arrival. thank you for the reminder. Lee
Well..Lee..Thanks for the meal offering... I'm through there alot... M y mothers twin sister was in Tupilo.. till her burial last week..which was the reason for myTrace run then.. I swear I saw a bobcat there this trip..right off the roadway.. looped back around to positivaly ID it.. but it had scampered away...I love the animals there .. always turkeys and deer.. coons and possums
Oh..I'm Delta born...... my ancestors were there in the hills from the early 1800's Calhoun city was founded by one of thoes I guess.. Montivista.. Fluchers Crossing.. Sturgis.. Euporia.. were all family digs... I've still have cousins in Boonville. , . that's near you.. and a cousin In Tupilo .. I had about 34 aunts and uncles... so I've a pile of cousins all over there still..
I don't recall any plumeria in HD or Lowes... down that way... at any time of year... If I'm comming through again.. I'll drop a few bits of some off to you.. Mother is still outside of Huntsville , AL.. so I'll still be driving the Trace from there back to the delta still ..
GordonHawk, How good to know of your relatives being scattered about this area. I was born and reared in a little small town about 18 miles south of Tupelo called Okolona. It had, and still does, have a population of about 3,000. It was a nice little town in which to grow up.
If you think you saw a bobcat, then probably you did, in fact see one, as they are all around here but quite elusive. Occasionally, I'll see one but they are furtive and are gone out of sight before your eyes can even focus. We have alot of deer, foxes, coyotes, and a few years ago even a black bear with two cubs. And of course, there are the ubiquitous raccoons, possums, turkeys as you mentioned along with armadillos which are slowly moving northward. The only time I ever having seen them when I was a kid, 51 yrs. ago, was when we went to New Orleans and down in Cajun country.
You said you were Delta born. I worked as a registered nurse ( I'm male by the way. I try to point that out because often people just automatically think nurses are female) in Greenville, MS for 3 yrs from '87 to '91 and enjoyed the Delta. But it was so cold in the winter with the wind blowing off the Mississippi River. Just about the only negative thing I can say about that area was that the mosquitos would just about suck you dry of blood, they were so numerous.
Tupelo is about an hour's drive from here and Booneville is about 30-40 mins from here.
It's kind of you to offer to drop off a some plumeria the next time you are down this way. Just let me know when you'll be through and I'll have some coffee making.
I'm much obliged and it'snice to know of your MS roots.
Best wishes, Lee