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Best time to re-pot a plumeria?

10 years ago

My mom has half a dozen 3-5 gallon plumeria trees that I feel desperately need to be repotted. The soil (I think it's native clay "dirt" and not even cactus mix or anything) has sank 8" below the lip of the pot and some of them weren't rooted with a support and don't stand straight. Despite the neglect, they are "Gardena" and didn't go dormant this warm winter.
When is best to repot, does it matter? Id hate to kill her trees.

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Comments (7)

disneyhorse
Original Author
10 years ago
Well I had some time and some cactus mix and perlite from last year so the eight that looked the saddest got some TLC. I knocked most of the dirt off the root balls and stood them up straight and higher in the pots and watered them well. I tried not to disturb them too much so hopefully won't shock them.
But my personal plumerias were all cuttings I rooted last year in 1-2 gallon pots and I'm wondering when it's best to put them in bigger pots. Some of them rooted and seem pretty big and lanky (like Lurline and Kaleinani most notably...) so I'm guessing they will want a bigger pot by next year.
No-Clue
10 years ago
Disney,

I was wondering the same thing! Great job repotting. They look awesome. I think I will do some of mine this weekend. Ã°ÂÂÂ
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The best time of day to repot is when you're in a good mood and have some time to yourself. The second best time of day is when you're in a bad mood and have some time to yourself. The worst time of day is when you're pressed for time and don't feel like repotting. If there was a time of day that, for physiological reasons, was easiest on the plant, it would be early evening. The reason is, as sunlight wanes and the plant enters the respirative Krebs cycle, it is no longer using water taken up from roots for photosynthesis, in fact, water is a byproduct of respiration, so the roots don't have to work as hard to keep the plant turgid (keep it from wilting). That's why plants that wilt during the day often perk up in the evening. So, when you remove roots during a repotting (as opposed to potting up), it's (very) slightly easier on the plant if you do it late in the day. However, the next day is a new day, and the advantage lies only in how much the plant was able to recover (root function) during the overnight period. Al
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Is there a time of year to re-pot?
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On the subject of repotting, I unpot all new plants mo matter when in their growing cycle I get them. I have found so many unexpected situations that I adopted that policy years ago and have not regretted it. For example: A healthy looking plant with unhealthy mushy roots. 2 plants masquerading as one. Healthy roots on the surface but extending no farther than 1/2" into the pot. A ring of roots around the perimeter of the pot around a dead zone in the middle. A hitch hiking slug. Snow fungus. A webbed type of growth around the roots, don't know what it is but I see it occasionally. If everything is OK, I replace the plant undisturbed, if any of the above conditions are present, the plant is better of repotted at any time of the year. At the same time I evaluate for a possible division. An adult Cattleya with 7 leads will not miss the 3 little growths from its seedling days and as often as not, a new plant can be generated. An Oncidium type can have a leafless backbulb removed at that time and quite often it will initiate. I have preferred growing media and will switch all plants to that but not necessarily when I get them. If I get a plant in spike potted in bark and I happen not to like bark, I will wait until it finished blooming and until it initiates the next growth before I make the switch. Nick
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I know I'm a little late..but I'd re-pot them right now, trust me they'll love it, and will appreciate you for it..What I found best that works for these cacti, is perlite mixed with cactus soil (if you put in just cactus soil made by MG it just floods then finally drains, which isn't good) also thanks to Josh pure orchid bark works wonders! but you have to water more often (which isn't an issue) my plants I've had for a good amount of years, and they've always rewarded me, I never wanted them to get overly big, and the more I prune back, they more new growth they put out =) I fertilize mine from about March all the way through August. When it comes to fertilizer, less is always more; you don't want to burn their roots. Good luck with both your cacti! =D Last note, the Easter Cactus grows exactly the same as any holiday cactus, so don't buy into all the negative hype; that's just an over blown rumor that got started because people don't know what they're doing ;)
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re-potting plumeria??
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Comments (3)
1. Yeah I agree, I'd leave alone. Don't repot for now. Since it has that many leaves, it probably has developed a decent root system and can handle regular potting soil. 2. Your cutting probably was just at the stage where it was close to flowering before it was cut from the tree. However, it may or may not have enough energy for the buds to open (they may abort) for it's first bloom. Don't get too discouraged if this happens. 3. It will do better outside in full sun. But if you move it to full sun right away, the leaves will likely scorch and fall off. Consider moving it over a period of 3-4 weeks to a full sun location -- first to your north-facing porch, then to dappled sun and finally to a mostly-sunny location if you have one. The chances of a rebloom will be higher.
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maark23 TX/8a
10 years ago
Same here! I've been wanting to re pot some cuttings I had in plastic water bottles. I'm sure they are long over due.

Mark
jandey1
10 years ago
Now is the best time to re-pot, as they're waking up, but I've also re-potted many during the height of summer and late fall, too. A healthy rooted plumeria will tolerate a lot of moving around. The leaves may wilt for a while but they'll perk up again after a few days and a good watering.

Good for you for taking care of your mom's plants, Disney! They look terrific and she has some other beauties there!
disneyhorse
Original Author
10 years ago
Good to know. I've got some one gallon plants that would probably appreciate bigger pots... So I'll get to them soon! I don't want to see wilting leaves later on :-/
tdogdad
10 years ago
January to April in So. Calif. seems best so the trimming of the roots do not cause shock to a fully leafed out plant. I always use water with superthrive and seaweed extract to ease the shock and stimulate root growth. B-1 can be used too which is cheap at HD. garden section. Bill
disneyhorse
Original Author
10 years ago
I've got some Superthrive so I'll give them a water with some. Good tip, thanks!

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