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When should I begin stop watering my plumerias?

shelia__greenthumb

12 years ago

I have moved my plumerias in from the cold nights we are

having here in WV. A few leaves are dropping.

Thanks for your advice.

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Comments (4)

Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
12 years ago
Hello Everyone,

Hi Sheila,

Im sure you are seeing some cold temps in West Virginia!

Good idea to bring them inside.

You will see leaf drop as they start to slow down for the winter dormancy. You dont want to stop watering these living trees even while dormant. Just reduce the amount of water.

It really depends how you want to keep them in the winter... I will put mine in a back roon after i trim off some of the leaves in the prep before i bring them inside. I do this because of the number of trees that i have so it helps with storing all of my trees. I also do let them get somewhat dry before i bring them inside. They also get spraye down with a mix for keeping little crtters away.

SOme of my family members just put thier trees in a window and let them continue to grow. SOme use lights to let them grow and bloom. It just depends on what you want to do with them.

For me with so many, i give myself a break and put them in a room that is cooler than the rest of the house and i kep the blinds closed. I do water them once every 3 weeks to keep them alive and healthy. Even tho they may go dormant, they still need to be watered. (just a little thought..)

I hope i didnt confuse you...

Maybe someone from your area that has Plumies will come and post. But i think you will be fine with whatever method you choose.

Dont worry about leaf drop..this is normal..

Hope this helps...

Take care,

Laura in VB
PRO
the_first_kms2
12 years ago
I let each individual plant tell me. if its late season (Late Oct or early Nov for me) and the bottom leaves are yellowing then I should reduce watering to the level of maintaining a low amount of moisture in the soil. I run my finger through the top 1 or 2 inches of soil and if the soil is darker than the top crust and my finger gets dirty (more than just dusty) I'll wait a week to water. I could use a moisture meter to see the % but have always just used dead reckoning.

If the tips and recent season green growth are feeling soft or wrinkled I will give that plant a little more this week and revisit in a week. I also watch for warm spells since it seems most of mine only partially hibernate and the greenhouse can go over 90 degrees if its not vented.

I typically go into the greenhouse every week to police up dropped leaves and make sure things look good. I randomly squeeze branches, pull off any dead material such as shriveling up inflos, "claws" that didnt develop, and feel for softness and look for other danger items. For me it's only about a half hour of time to handle my collection (never counted and don't plan to but would say 30-50).

IMO having a good soil mix and plants well supplied with nutrients over the growing season can help by being a little more forgiving one way or the other. Its really hard to use a sequence of care that isn't specific to your local variables. I hope this helps and you experiment and find the method that works best for your plant(s).
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Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
12 years ago
Hello Everyone,

Km2,

Great info...

I wanted to say 30-50 LOL!!! Sounds like you have the addiction!!! I dont want to counts either...but i have a feeling its >60!!! LOL!!!

This winter i will be usuing my greenhouse for some of my trees, so ii may be asking your opinion on some things.

I may send you an email to ask about temps, etc for the greenhouse. Probably 75% of my trees will go inside like i mentioned above, but some will see the greenhouse this winter.

Thanks for your info on the watering of your trees during the winter. It is very theraputic to visit and read the trees during the winter. ( I am looking forward to visiting the greenhouse this winter..)But with the amt of leaves that i would have, i start to trim a little early for the dormant period inside my house.

Take care,

Laura in VB

Take care
PRO
the_first_kms2
12 years ago
Absolutely about the greenhouse. I placed my email in my profile after Barbra pointed it out to me. I had six large Celadines in 20 gal pots survive with the help of a heater and fitted sheets inside the greenhouse. Fitted sheets are the best thing since sliced bread. they cling to branches and clumps without sliding off or using clothes pins. Before finding this use for them...they were just the sheets that I could never fold correctly. Now...I still can't fold them but I respect them. :)

I had an outbreak of rooted cuttings (actually broken branches) in the last few months from high winds, a welcomed storm, and a recent trip to Hawaii. That really pushed my numbers up to pandemic levels. In the spring I will find homes for many of them so my numbers will go back down. somewhat.

I just have a hard time throwing away heathy cuttings that can be rooted and gifted.

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