Thanks, sbrow, the whole house looks like that around Christmas time, and the yard, too. I didn't think I'd be bringing the plumies in so soon after, but I'm new and learning. There are a lot more plumies there now than in the picture - and I still haven't taken down the Christmas decorations (although the wind just knocked down the 16' movie screen I built outside to play "It's a Wonderful Life" so that you could see it through the windows in the sunroom). Guess it's time to take all the decorations down. Laura, that's funny about the "yard sale". I'll start using that phrase when this happens. My neighbor on one side only had one tree in his entire property. My yard was pretty barren a couple of years ago when I moved in. Suddenly he starts seeing hundred of trees popping up on the other side of his fence - foxtail and traveller's palms and teddy bear palms, black bamboo and Brazilian tower trees (I'm sure he wondered what that was - it looks like something from Jurassic Park) and a big plumeria (the Lani's). He lives next to the tropical side of my yard. I guess I must have inspired him, because he planted the second tree in his property and he called me over, he was so proud. The Lani's does dip partly over to his side, and he was happy about that, I told him I'd show him how to make a lei. So he's used to big things suddenly appearing on my side - although he must of shaken his head about the socks. The cold was supposed to end on Monday, and I took down all the socks and frost cloths. Then I find out here that it's going to last one more night - so I ran out late night and started putting socks back on. I was worried about the other trees that were now uncovered, though. However, as of right now, just about everything seems fine. Only time will tell. I'm a little worried about the Brazilian towers and the traveller's, but hopefully they will be okay. But the inside of my house keeps changing in big ways. The guy I bought palms from is helping a nursery liquidate Kentia Palms (they're closing) and some foxtails, too. But they have to be out of there by February. I bought 4, but there's no way I'm going to put them outside in this freaky winter weather. So I'm going to have some 11-13' houseplants for while, in the tallest part of the house (which is between the living room and dining room). So for a month and a half, till Spring, my sunroom will look like a plumeria jungle and my dining room will look like a tropical restaurant. As long as I don't attract any crocodiles or velociraptors, all is okay. Can't wait to take pics.

Wonderful of you to share all this, George! We're all now dealing with the problems of storing over a long winter. Just to add my limited experience: I had most of my established plants, including 3+ year-old seedlings, in the garage. Most were in 2-5 gallon pots, but I put 7 of them into a black plastic trash bag. These were plants that had grown in the ground last year and I just pulled them up and shook off most of the soil and tied them together in the bag, along with one grafted Gladys O'Neal. The plastic bag was put in a trash can with some rags at the bottom to keep them off the cold concrete floor. All these plants had lots of green tip growth and not one of them showed the dried out tips as in the photos. Several other of my plants that were stored in pots right next to that bag of seedlings got moderate to severe tip shriveling--just like George's photos!--and some have to be cut back a foot or more. All were in the same mix I use through the year--not gritty--which has compost, minerals, shredded wood, etc. Those bagged seedlings are now outside but still in the bag waiting for frost danger to be over and I checked them all this morning. The few that had some wrinkling plumped up after watering them (yes, I poured water right into the bag twice over the winter, just enough to give them a drink). I have no doubt they'll bounce right back and start growing once we get some warmer days and nights. I can't say the same for all the ones that were stored in pots. Many of those look great, but a few look terrible. This is only a small sampling, but I'll be sure to store more in plastic bags next year. It seems to have worked very well for my seedlings, though I'm not sure about the tender reds yet.

Phxlynne, Loving the lighter pic of SDS, she is a looker either way, def keeper and worthy of being a favorite. Rox, Yes, John stated that all the stock @ JJ's was orginally from PP. I do not know now what they are crossing, but the original stock like Cal Sunset, Gina, etc all were PP babies. Isobea, California Sunset is a great bloomer, great growth habit and yes GORGEOUS and ever changing depending on light/heat. Def a reliable fav. Thanks for sharing the pic of your HUGE tree. Kim309, Sometimes you just have to be colorful and gorgeous (sounds shallow .lol), to be a favorite. Personally I do not like scent (good or bad ones lol). I luv plumeria for their diverse shapes, sizes and blazing colors and color patterns. Def a looker and a favorite. Thanks for sharing as I have never seen an Xquisite growing locally, just the JJs pic of her. Gorgeous on either continent. Mike, I love your PPP. Nice to see that she performs in cool coastal areas of So Cal. How is her growth pattern? Def a good Fav choice, esp for the beach areas.. Waving @ Roxanne..lol Laura, Your J105 is GORGEOUS, but what else would I expect from you and VB temps. Thanks for sharing the pic of her with us all :) Daogirl, Loving your J105 also. So fun to see how the same varieties perform in the different growing climates of the US. K2FL, I agree, even in the cool coastal temps this year was the year for Purples. I had a BP 2 seasons ago, but it was too cool in my patch and never really popped the purple color, more reddish. But the pics I have seen in warmer areas are to die for with that deep dark purple black color...love it. Def a good Fav. Gidgetsocal, Where did u get your shell from, kind of looks like Sheer Beauty from Thailand that is kind of like a Semi shell in cooler areas. Love your pic, def a looker and good Fav choice. Thanks for sharing. KMS2, Those trees are huge and amazing... Cheers AJ, Love KM, one of my all time Fav Moranges. I love the color patterns and shape, reminds me @ times of Ruby Gold or Mermaid Gem from Oz. Gorge Pic thanks for sharing Jen, OMG Long time no see on GW stranger..lol I've seen you on FB P grps..lol I luv your JJ Serenade, reminds me a bit of Tiger without the splashing.. Def I would chose as a favorite also. Your pink diamond aka diamond of the first water is gorge, must love the Tx heat. My PD committed suicide to escape my penal colony plumie patch couple of years ago..lol Makaha sun look amazing in your patch Seems like Y'all in Texas had a great year. Cheers thanks for sharing. Thanks everyone for sharing your fav and their pics. So sad that some people already have defoliated their babies and preparing them for their slumber. The plus is that everyone will have more time to do what they need as you will not have to fertilize, spray, water, top dress your babies . Cheers and heres to another great season.

Rox, Hello. If you would like I can add your name to the waiting list as there is a line of people waiting as I rarely cut the tree. Seems like every time I get one person off the list there are 10 or so new people who want one. Let me know if you want to be added to the list, it is backed up about 3 seasons worth right now. Hey Laura Thanks!!! Anytime there's added major work to my day and I get to it, is a good day lol When I left the patch and was locking the side gate I noticed that the Purple Jack had fallen down again, so I left it as is. I can only imagine how many more branches I will find now.. Plumiejunkie, Long time no see… Welcome back and happy growing. David, OMG… Look what the wind blew in..lol Hey stranger. As for the claiming on insurance, since it is an apartment complex I own and I do not live there (I use the mailing address there sometimes, or a Mailing service as I do not receive mail @ home), I think the policy might be a bit different from a typical home owners in terms of what I can claim, I also did not have a separate insurance binder added to the apartment insurance to cover any plants(do they even have such a thing), it also was my fault. If I had a helper then I doubt I would have had the issue. I guess I didn’t think the plumies and pots would weigh as much as they did. As for the Mango, yes it thrives grows almost wild with no care (no water either as I am bad about going down to water) and the fruits are super juicy and sweet. Manila Mango from 2013 season My tenants pick from the tree. I do not like fruit trees or plumie at my house as they attract vermin and insects and can be messy with the dropping of leaves, flowers, fruits(I am a bit OCD), etc. My patch is located in coastal zone 10 and its pretty temperate all year, no drastic changes. I check the weather for my patch couple times a day especially during the winter @ night. In my patch I have never had any frost, in 2007, during the big freeze my patch got down to 37or 38f for the 1 night. I also have a microclimate as there are mostly 2 story apartments on the street like the one I own next to my patch also that helps with the cold and wind a bit. So in my patch and around the area I have seen Solo Paya’s growing and fruiting, Pineapple, lots of huge old Mango trees (all Varieities), lychee, Vanda orchids, etc., so because of the coastal influence and topography and location, it never gets too cold or hot and has a nice amount of humidity. PS. The package I sent you with the Aurora you won on MPG years ago to Germany with a bunch of other plumies also came back. Actually to be exact, received it over a year after I had mailed it to you…lol Might have even been like 18months later. The package looked as if it had been examined (opened) then resealed, box looked worse for wear, all the cuttings where hollow….basically skins..lol. Good to see your still active with the plumies and forums. Cheers