Tale of three Plumeria...
The first two pics are of a white trunked Plumeria with black lichens i bought at Walmart. The leaves are Celadine like but not as glossy.
The other Plumeria is one i bought as a seedling from the Dry Garden.It has a red trunk in sun that looks black in shade.The leaves are non glossy with red veins and a different shape than the typical Celadine. Finally a Celadine pic. The standard i guess.
Anybody have ideas or names?..just tossing it out there...
The following thread was started by stan on September 26, 2007 at 2:49 pm PST
...never seen that before.Or the white trunk.
The above followup was added by stan on September 26, 2007 at 2:53 pm PST.
Different. Takes on a black look in shade.
The above followup was added by stan on September 26, 2007 at 2:56 pm PST.
part of a 4' footer.
The above followup was added by stan on September 26, 2007 at 2:57 pm PST.
I took advice given a few month ago on site, gave them more direct light and fertilized them. But still no blooms, maybe they need more fertilizer and more direct sun???????
I know that Jeff's bloom, but what about yours and others who read this.
I have a white with yellow centers, 5 foot tall plus in a 5 gallon pot, did not bloom last year or this year. I bought a pinkish whitish one, it came with blooms, didn't bloom last year or this year. As well I have a dozen or more seedlings from somewhat expensive exotic ebay bids, they should of bloom last year and for sure this year, but NO, these are only in 1 gallon pots.
David
The above followup was added by DavidLJ48, Waterford CA, zone9 on September 26, 2007 at 7:15 pm PST.
Just too cool for Celadine,the seedling red maybe too young,and the Walmart i dont know why--most likely a generic white flower. But Celadine and red grew fine. The red is starting to look like a nice foliage plant with the rubra stems and red veins(thinking positive about no flowers), makes me wonder what it will develop into.
The Walmart white trunk is a little creepy with that black nettling lichen. I've seen horror movies of that!
What the heck is it?-would like to really find out.
The above followup was added by stan on September 27, 2007 at 8:47 am PST.
I guess it pays to read the directions, just like putting something together, before and not after you attempt it, Ha Ha.
Here is one good info site? http://www.plumeria.info/Plumeria%20Care.aspx
And this one is even better: http://www.theplumeriasociety.org/spps/ahpg.cfm?spgid=25
I realize now, I have not done my research, which I normally do with palms and fruiting plants, shame shame on me.
It says, they need 6 to 8 hours of direct sun per day, or very close to it. I have assumed, because they have such a soft tropical look, that they didn't want too much sun, that they would sun burn, especially after being dormant in the house during the coldest part of winter. They even say, a little water is good in winter if they start dehydrating and shrinking, funny I have been doing that and have not lost any plants. They say if you have to cut the leaves off before storing, I just let them drop and pick them up.
Has anyone ever sun burned Plumerias after putting them out in full sun, after being stored inside all winter?
David
The above followup was added by DavidLJ48, Waterford CA, zone9 on September 27, 2007 at 9:25 am PST.
But i can't make it any sunnier or warmer than it is. Oh,the great memorys of managing a greenhouse-no problems with warmth or humidity.
Outdoors in Hayward is borderline for consistant Plumeria flowering. If i was a collector of many, some would bloom in a year i would think.But Plumeria people in L.A. need a greenhouse to get the most out of the hobby. Clare of daves garden/garden web admitted as much.
Now for you-it should be easier in Waterford with 90 all summer. Go easy on the rich soil is about all.
I never cut the leaves either-they drop in the shorter and cooler days on their own. I tried starting it off indoors in front of my sunny window, one year or two, and it grew a great flush of huge 16" leaves-and more leaves than i ever get outdoors. Then i was stuck.They were dark green indoors leaves that would burn outside,,if left inside for sure the mites would soon get them. Why are young Plumeria leaves mite free in late winter-then become easy meals by May indoors? So ,i dont force early growth anymore.
I never have taken them put of their pots for winter. Celadine does fine under cover from frost. Others before like Aztec gold rotted from rainwater much faster than i thought. Never got a second chance to let them dry out-mushhh.
Red is going to be a decision..should she go, - in, or should she stay,-out, like the Clash say...
The above followup was added by stan on September 27, 2007 at 10:16 am PST.
If they look like they are shrinking and dehydrating I give them a little water, it does not seem to push growth and it does not rot the roots.
It does take sometimes almost all winter for them to defoliate, but they have not died.
Sun, most of mine only get 2 to 3 hours of direct sun per day at most, a long ways from the 6 to 8 they say they should have. They basically want them out in the direct sun most of the day; I would think better to have early day sun then all hot late afternoon sun, but could be wrong.
David
The above followup was added by DavidLJ48, Waterford CA, zone9 on September 27, 2007 at 10:55 am PST.
David,
They will burn here and drop all their leaves if you just throw them into full sun, but they throw new leaves quickly and those will harden off. That said this year mine (in full sun, on concrete) have had weak foliage and burned frequently. I think I did not water them enough this year (once a week). I have tended to over water and am trying to find the right balance. A couple of mine have flowered all summer, but after the initial flush, they only pushed a flower or two at a time (only one flower spike).
Robert
Madera, CA
The above followup was added by iwan on September 27, 2007 at 1:29 pm PST.
Robert ,once a week in Madera? in summer? in a pot?...that is Saguaro testing-ha. I water every other day unless its foggy. You might try next year placing saucers under your Plumeria. Once the summer comes along they are thirsty plants.I swear it looks like they even enjoy being hosed down in hot weather.
One day i might move to the valley and I'm going to go all out in plants that love heat!..Cycads and potted Plumeria.Aloes and cacti. Coral trees in sun and GBOP under eaves. Phoenix palms with thin trunks. BIG yards-ha. I read what you guys try and can see where planting in groups and pruning for more branching can give SouCal results....
The above followup was added by stan on September 27, 2007 at 3:56 pm PST.
I agree with Stan... You have to give them more water than once a week if in a pot.... In ground you can go longer.
The way you can tell if they need water is to lift the pot ... if its light... like a bag of dry potting soil.... water them.... Twice in one day if you need to.
However.... Now that we are in late summer... be prepared.... after Oct 15th... stop all water.
Put them into shade... they will wilt.... but go into dormancy.... you won't have to water again until March.
BTW.... I have a bushy .. 7 ft tall plumeria.... loaded with flowers right now.
Jeff
The above followup was added by Jeff on September 27, 2007 at 7:50 pm PST.
Like I said, I am trying to find the right balance of water. In the past they have always looked great in summer, but 25% would rot by spring. Guess I went too far to the dry extreme this year.
The above followup was added by iwan on September 28, 2007 at 7:59 am PST.