Lauri,
Don't give up! Where are you located? You just need to provide a climate for them that they thrive in. Think about where they thrive naturally, like Hawaii, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Thailand, Singapore, tropic or semi-tropic type atmospheres. Strive to maintain that type of environment for them. There are people on the board that are in cold zones growing wonderful plants. Not watering them is the hardest thing to do, trust me, I know...it's just finding that balance that works depending on the conditions. I'm confident that if you can grow Adeniums, you can get a feel for plumeria just the same. Hang in there woman! I came from an "indoor plant" horticultural background where water is "friend" so this was all new to me not so long ago and I managed to figure it out - you can too girl! I hate to think you are throwing in the towel.
KR

Hi KR.
I would like to ask you or someone a question..I ask it on here twice and never got a answer. When we were told to bring our plants out in March, if night temps were above 50.. Water and feed. I did this the end of March, then bacame too cool.

I asked.. Do you do this to totally dormant plants? is this bringing them out of dormancy? most of my Plants were not juicy on top. I went ahead and watered them..and fed. Most of my plants are still dormant. Now have had to bring them back inside. Will this hurt the plants, still totally dormant? This concerns me.
Karen B.

Hi Lori,
I have almost given up too last year, Kasie kept me going. On your plants outside that got fozen tips.. so sorry. I bought mine inside for 4 months..a total pain. have some outside that could not be brought in, have those problems. But hope they will come out of it..yours too. Hope for warm temps.

The ones in the pots "that continue to rot" do you have a moisture meter to tell you when to water or not? when dry, water. Seeds, never tried them, good luck. But stay in there, I am trying too.. you can too.
Karen B.

Lauri, dont give up on plumeria. YouÂre doing well with desert roses, and they are fussier and more rot prone than plumeria. I lost my desert rose to rot after I moved from California; I havenÂt given up on them, but I have taken a break to better understand my current climate before trying again. California has had two cold years in a row; this isnÂt typical and future winters should be much better for you*.

Philip

*I think I remember you live somewhere in California.

Hi Lauri, sorry to read you are having plumie problems, am no good at giving advice as my plumies are indoor ones 365days and my conditions are SO different to yours. Am sure you will be able to turn things around real soon. Feel so helpless, wish I could do something for you. As you say, concentrate on the ones you have for the time being, get those right and you will soon be surrounded by blooms and lush foliage again. Good luck and take care my friend.
Gill.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I live in FL, close to Tampa. I'll see what happens. At the moment I am trying to make a butterfly garden, hoping that does better for me. Not so picky about when to water and when to not. Interesting to hear about how the desert roses are more prone to rot. Great, just watered mine last night, will probably regret that. Ah well, thanks again for the words of encouragement. Oh, and no, I don't have a moister meter. How many of you use one, and do they work well?
Thanks again, Lauri

Oh my goodness! Close to Tampa! You should not be having problems! As plumerias are coming out of dormancy, at least for the potted ones, you'll need to find a covered place (out of the rain) for them until they leaf out. For my potted ones I water very little in December and January, then slowly increase in Feb and March. Late winter is a critical time for mine. They seem to need a moisture boost otherwise the more vulnerable ones will develop black tip. This usually happens when they want to grow at tips, but there's not enough moisture in stems or from roots to supply it.

As for cold, yes, if nights get below 50 move them back in - or at least put them under an eave.

I can't help you much with ones planted in ground (I could only wish we could do that up here). Sounds like it's just a bit too cold in your area. Find a more protected microclimate maybe. Or experiment with hardier varieties? When you cover with blankets, maybe stick a string of C-9 Christmas lights in there to provide a bit of heat.

My seedlings seemed to respond to continued light, warmth and moisture all winter long.

I've lost more Desert Roses than plumerias!

hello, lauri, sorry to hear that your plumies are being difficult. you are one of the many who have helped me getting started and interested in plumies and DR's. wish i have constructive advice but all i can offer is my best wishes and hope that with the warmer weather things will improve for you. good luck.
sue

Hi Karen B,
I hope all is well with you, haven't corresponded for a while :)
While I'm not the foremost expert on dormancy, I may be able to offer a little input. Mainly, because a good deal of my plants are in the GH all winter and stay awake until I put them out. I put out everything but the seedlings and tender grafts, and some tropicals(about 20 full grown plants, and several cuttings rooted over the winter) outside like you a few weeks ago. The plants that were already outside never fully went dormant this winter and I attribute that to the feeding program that Jack at Kimi's Plumeria has helped me with this past year. My bigger trees never lost all their leaves and were still blooming late in the season. Now, he (Jack) has a full blown nursery and his plants were all outside the entire winter. I was there this last weekend and some of them are still dormant, and some are "waking up". But he never deviates from his watering and feeding program (fertigation) with any of them so I have to say in confidence that watering them and feeding them while they are dormant will not hurt them if it's moderate. Basically, if you have only just started watering/feeding this last month, I have full confidence that they will be fine. Even with the unpredictable cold weather at night that we've been having. I too was concerned with this since I put out all the warm babies that thrived all winter in the GH. But they are not losing leaves and seem to be growing just fine. From past personal experience, I would have to advise you not to continue to water or feed until they are completely dry and you see a growth occuring that indicates that they are coming out of dormancy. They will wake up on their own in good time and when it warms up. The best method I had before (the feeding program they are now on) was to simply leave them alone until they give you a sign that they may become "stressed". By stressed, I mean that they need feeding or watering. Not stress from lack of nutrients or insect invasion, which is a different 'stress". I've learned that Plumeria are actually hardier than people give them credit for and sometimes the best way to take care of them is to leave them alone for a bit. Hopefully our Spring evenings won't get any colder, because yes, we are having some erratic weather these days. But if you would ever like to talk, please do contact me on my email and I will send you my phone number. Email is karen@thetestlab.com. Hope this helps answer your questions.

Lauri, with seedlings, I sometimes rely on the moisture meter. It is a useful tool to have when you just aren't sure. Like others have mentioned, you and Gill have both given me the incentive to grow adeniums and I am loving the little guys. I would hate to think that you are throwing in the towel with plumerias.

Gill, I haven't forgotten about my promise to send pics!! I have this new camera and my frustration with it is truly paramount. I come from the digital point and creatively shoot genre and now that I have a "real" camera, I'm thoroughly disappointed. I just can't seem to figure out the close up feature. Read the manuals, tried several times, different methods, and at this point I want to throw my $1400 camera to the side and pick up my old digital. Had a minor surgery a couple of weeks ago and haven't done much since then either, but I WILL send you the pix!! Now that I've written this short novel for the Plumeria Forum, I bid everyone good night :)....good grief!
Karen Robertson

Hi Karen R,
Hi, thanks so so much for all of this, will copy this and keep it. Exactly what I needed to know and what to do. I did push it, but with what you said will relax. Know what to do now. Is tough, so many different areas that are warm and cool even here in So. CA, Plants re-act so different. Some dormant, some putting out claws, maybe flowers. Many do things different that works for them, is tough what to do..my area has stayed cool, odd for me. Hope for warm temps.

I can see I have to re-think on many of my plants, lot dormant claws tight, no wet on the claws...you are super. thanks so much responding to my e-mail. was very concerned. yes, delighted to chat again.

The best for your plants this summer, no more losing plants..flowers!!! thanks Kasie. Aztec Gold has an inflo, waited so long!!
Karen B

Karen B.

It's supposed to rain this afternoon and tomorrow. I'm going to put my plants under the patio eave this morning. If you are able to protect them from getting more water at this point it may be a good idea. Especially with the temps dropping again :( Let me know how it goes!
Karen R

I hear ya kevabear...I have almost decided I get fully rooted plants or nothing!! I'm not too far from Kimis just a bit poor from ordering orchids. Will see how this season goes, Then go to Kimis for rooted plants. You hang in there and hopefully your kids will leaf and bloom. We need to attend a workshop at Bill's (hehe). Think he would notice if we show up at midnight for a five finger discount (roflmao)!

Hey Ruthann - pick me up on your way to Bill's! LOL

Bill, you going to the sale in San Diego this Saturday? What about the meeting on Sunday at Murdy?

Karen R

Karen- I am not going to any sales. I have a strict diet plan this year which does not allow any new additions,unless..... I should be at the SCPS meeting on Sunday as the keynote speaker really helped my wife and me get plants for a school butterfly garden project. I will post a notice. Hope to see you there. Bill

Hi Kasie,
I am now starting to see what you were talking about..Some Plants coming out of dormacy. I have never had plants come out of dormacy, last Feb froze. I did not know what do do. I now have some the tips are growing, now should be fed, not early. Can see to water first ..then feed. Most are still with leaves, dormant tight.

Should have beeen stated on this board if you have plants that are dormant..do not feed..wait..just water. did not know what do with tight dormant plants.. Most of mine still are dormant.
Karen B.

Hi Lauri,
On the moisture meter..only cost $5 or $6 or so..may save your plants. you can put your finger in the soil, it may feel dry. But putting the moisture meter in the soil, down at the roots which is the most important.. there could be wet. so no water..I advised on here to get one. I use it all the time, before I water. Hot summer is different, but now, its cool out, they hold the water. Sounds like your problem is over watering..get one, will help you.
Karen B.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will stop and get a moisture meter today. Hopefully it will help. A couple of my plummies I especially would hate to lose.
Lauri

Don't give up we live in Florida and have Plumeiras same plants in ground for years !
BUT I do grow Adeniums ( desert Rose) love them too !
BUT Plumeiras much easier.
Adeniums many more different flowers , each different shaped caudex, no two alike and can bloom year round in sunny window !
I would not want to be with out either my Plumeiras or Adeniums !

Well I was out on the porch this evening checking my plummies and found the whole stem of yet another is rotted. I cut the two small tips off, they are ok. It's sad, the roots were beautiful, only to be thrown in the trash. Think I will quit watering them all together.
****Grabbing towel to throw*****
Lauri

Hi Lauri,
so sorry, feel so bad for you. On some of your plants, can you see if too wet..can you perhaps put in drier soil? Might stop the rotting.
Karen B

Hi Lauri,
so sorry, feel so bad for you. On some of your plants, can you see if too wet..can you perhaps mix in drier soil? Might stop the rotting.
Karen B

The ones I watered, the moisture meter had read totally dry. So, I think from now on, I will only water when they start that wrinkle thing they do when they are too dry. Maybe that'll work.
Lauri

Hi Lori,
Well good luck, dry isn't bad if its cool outside! the plant holds water inside.
keep posting let us know how they are doing?
Karen B.

Lauri,
Something doesn't sound right, especially for the area you live in. Can you tell us the potting mix you are using? Also, how much direct sun are your plumies getting? If you lived in Chicago, I could understand it, but Florida??

Tony

They get a lot of direct sun. I have them out on a screened in pool deck, so they get sun most of the day. Except when I think we are going to have rain, then I put them under the covered area, and then they just get the afternoon sun. I have them planted in plastic pots, with a mix of perlite and either potting soil or cactus mix. I use rainwater from a barrel to water them with. Through the winter months they were all in my little green house, with the heat mat and grow light.
Any suggestions?
Lauri

They don't get any pool water splashed into them do they?
Highly chlorinated water? Just guessing here....

John

Nope. Haven't been in the pool since last summer. Too darn cold yet. BRRRRrrrr!
Lauri

Maybe if you've been moving them around a lot, you are jostling the plants so that the roots are tearing at the bases of the plant?

Also, they may need MORE watering. It's sort of an art to tell when they need water. Feel down in the soil with your finger to maybe 2 inches. Is it dry or moist? This time of year, if the plant is starting to put out leaves, it should be moist - but not real wet. I had one that rotted mid-stem and I attributed it to UNDERWATERING.

I agree with Dave about UNDERWATERING. If it the soil gets bone dry then the roots begin to die. Then, next time you water, the roots can no longer absorb the water which can cause rot.

Lauri, I don't know if this is the case for you though. Everything else you are doing seems right to me.

Don't give up though. They are so rewarding when they bloom.

Tony

Hi Lori,
today I normally watered for the first time my 7 month cutting that I showed, that now has leaves..very compacted. checked it after watering in the morning..showed dry. I watered again in the afternoon, some areas were dry, some moist..so what it told me was...is so dry, it needs time to absorb the mixture. I have a lot of pearlite..Will wait and water another time

Perhaps this is your problem? Trying to help
Karen B..

Thanks much for thoughts from each and everyone. It gives me thoughts to go on. I have the moisture meter, and it is saying in the dry range, but not bone dry as of yet. I got an e-mail from a lady from the plummie society that saw this post. She said that she roots cuttings in total perlite. Had seen it on a post from tdog. I have some cuttings that have been in a bucket of water for months now with no signs of roots what so ever so I might try that with one of those. The others, kid gloves. Now with the thoughts of that I might letting them go too dry, well heck, what's a mamma hen to do?
Lauri

Hi,Lauri I just started taking cuttings off my plumeria.I also am new at this,and live in Port Charlotte,Fl. I do know all my container plants in full sun need water pretty often, this heat is pretty tense, and were only in April. My parent plant is already blooming with a few flowers. All the other lei trees in my neighborhood are just now getting there leaves. I think mines on steroids. Also mines in the ground and was when I bought the place. So I'm hoping my cuttings take root. Good luck with yours...Jmac

Lauri,
I don't know if this will help or not because you've already gotten great advice, but I live in Florida too. (I post all the time to the Florida forum - you should visit us there!). Oddly, my experience is opposite to the other comments here! It sounds like I am underwatering mine but they have thrived so I can't say it's wrong.

I have several plummies in containers - some from cuttings, some that I've grown from seed, and one or two that I purchased as rooted plants. I haven't had a single one rot. But here's the thing: I never water them. Seriously. Never. In the summer they get daily rains and in the winter they get.... nothing, unless it rains.

If it's going to be under 40 degrees, I group them with my orchids and throw a blanket over the whole batch. Everything lives in the screened patio so they get full sun, filtered by the screen. In the spring I toss some slow release fertilizer into each pot. I've had good luck with blooming except for a couple plants that seem to only want to grow and not to bloom. (I may have to try giving them more water, based on what I read above!)

But it sounds to me like you are watering your plants way too much, especially in the winter when they are dormant. I have mine in a well draining soil, too.

Kate

Hunh.... That is interesting. Just let the weather/rain take care of them. I moved them today out of the screened in patio, the cats seem to be playing up there and messing them up a bit. I talked to a man at work a few days ago, a customer. He told me he has two and he waters them every few days, but just a little teenie bit. So many different ideas and techniques. Seems one of them should work! Thanks for your thoughts. Think I will just leave em' alone for awhile and see what happens.
Lauri

Hi
I live in florida and grow all my Plumeiras in ground. We use good draining and lots of organic humus soil . Our plants are watered a couple times a week and we fetilize too.
Check is your soil good draining ?
If so your plants might be rotting not due to over water but a fungus.
Cut off the rooted part. Let it dry and it will grow new stems .
during the Winter if we have a warm winter they will keep leaves and keep blooming then we keep watering and feeding.
If it is going below 50 at night we back down on water.
Here in Florida can't really say it's Winter do this .
we follow the weather as it can be Christmas and be 95 degrees.
Many a year our Plumeiras did not go dormant.
I grow many Adeniums. When it gets cold I bring them in to sunny windows and grow lights to enjoy blooms year round.
We water them the same way. And fertilize also.
Good Luck,
Allison