Damn Home Depot for selling affordable tropical plants

15 years ago

Well I bought my gagillionth plumeria today. Not really - not including seedlings I have about 9 or 10.. Home Depot had some plumerias of a nice thickness for only about $4.97. I got a yellow one because I don't have one of those yet. AND - I think I bought a crested one. Tell me what y'all think

I met a nice woman there who was buying a plumeria also and when I tried to give her simple growing instructions (because they say Plumerias are easy to grow, right? haha) I told her the basics, take it in in the winter, full sun, and don't overwater. However, I left thinking that I forgot to tell her that the one she had just brought probably did not have a strong root system, and that bottom heat will help it root better, and that it probably wont flower this year (no inflor. in June = probably no flowers), etc.

Im interested in what y'all would tell someone about growing plumeria if you only had 5 min to talk to them, or if you only had time to tell them 5 things.

Sorry for the recent flurry of posts from me. I just love you guys.

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Comments (17)

iowajojo
15 years ago
Gosh, I kinda hope you are wrong about no inflo in
June = no flowers this year......
nothing personal mind you....just hope you are incorrect....lol
tdogdad
15 years ago
Not crested, just splitting into two branches. Jo- inflos can come in July and even August depending on location, type of plant, and weather. Sip- in less than on minute, give them the address of this forum and suggest they browse and search for answers. Bill
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s_p8987
Original Author
15 years ago
Bill - I am actually kind of sad that it might not be crested. I think those crested plants look really cool. I'll try to keep y'all updated

Jo and Bill - I just assumed that if inflos were coming, they would be here by now - not based on any research haha. In that case, i'll keep chugging along giving my plumies super bloom :-)
iowajojo
15 years ago
Thanks Bill,
I have a couple of plants with inflos....but I have many more without. They might not get any, but it gives me hope!
kbauman
15 years ago
Hi,
when you buy plants from Home Depot, they are fully rooted..weather in good soil or not, depends on the grower. In full sun over 100 , will burn. Bringing inside depends where you live. Hope yours make it.
Karen B.
s_p8987
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Karen,

I am a little confused about your post. They will burn?
tdogdad
15 years ago
Karen is in the Valley where temps hit over a hundred often and the air is very low in humidity. You are in zone 8 so only worry if temperatures are expected to be very high and dry. In humid weather the plants can take high heat with little sunburn to leaves and stems. You can put a cut toilet paper roll (empty) around the stem or a paper towel roll on very hot days to block the sun. Misting leaves in the morning will help too. If you can find Pro-tekt it is a product for sun protection. Bill
kbauman
15 years ago
Hi Bill
Hit 112 in my area couple days ago..whew. few of my plumies pulled them selves up and came in to the air conditioning, ..ha don't blame them.

Had a couple really fade in color on the leaves, but made it, put sheets up on my canopy set up to help shade. Yes our temps are really dry and hot, but cooler now for awhile.
Karen B
dee66
15 years ago
Sorry for a stupid question, but if you've read any of my other posts you know I am new to plumies...

I've seen the word "inflo" in a few posts, but I have no idea what it means! Can someone enlighten me? Thanks!
trojanfan53
15 years ago
Dee, not a stupid question, from Richard & Mary Helen Eggenbergers " The Handbook on Plumeria Culture" Inflorescence : The mode of arrangement of the flowers on the plant, the flowering part of a plant, the coming into flower of a plant . "Inflo" short for Inflorescence! hope that helps Dave
kbauman
15 years ago
Hi sjp.
Sorry I forget the valley where I live gets so hot, forget west sun is not as strong in other areas to burn. What is a crested plant? thats a new one on me.

an info is where a stalk grows, gets buds and produces pretty plumeria flowers. What we all want!!!
Karen B
s_p8987
Original Author
15 years ago
Here you go Karen http://www.azplumeria.org/cresting.htm

It's pretty interesting. Online I read that it maybe is caused my a virus that isn't harmful to the plant.

It has been getting up to 100 here in Austin and I do have some sunburn on my plants. I am trying to keep them watered. Hopefully next year it won't be so hot!
chrismac_flutter
15 years ago
Dee, I have a webpage I made that has pictures explaining an inflo. MAybe it will help you. I will list it below

SJP, I also say that is just a double branching. If you look at the base of your double branching, you may see a white circular mark where an inflo may have fallen off of. Either that or your plant just decided to branch on its own.

Here is a link that might be useful: Life of An Inflo
s_p8987
Original Author
15 years ago
Christmac,

I looked at your germination pool website - What an interesting way to root your seeds! Definitely going to try that next time!
kasiec
15 years ago
Great site Christmac. I too like your germination pool. Will have to try that one. Thanks for sharing.

Kasie
kanielak
13 years ago
I'd remind buyers that the plumeria foliage WILL drop in Winter, to my knowledge it is one of the only plants here in Hawaii that do so. Also that they should replant any broken pieces as they will most likely regenerate
tdogdad
13 years ago
to add to Kanielak, in 9 or less zones, it is better to wait to plant broken pieces or cuttings until spring to late spring. Branches kept cool but not cold will keep for over 6 monthes. Depending on your zone and climate, leaves will yellow and drop into the fall. Lower zones will often get deadly fall frosts so plumeria growers anticipate this and cut off the leaves to force dormancy and then bring the plants in before the frost period arrives. Bill

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Damn Home Depot for selling affordable tropical plants

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Damn Home Depot for selling affordable tropical plants

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