skip to main content

New To Plumeria-Grow light and Rotting question.

17 years ago

Hi! I'm a little new to plumeria-I've killed a couple and I'm trying to get the cuttings I have now to survive. Anyway, I planted some cuttings back In July. They started to grow and have leaves on them. However, I noticed the one is starting to get a little soft and the one of the leaves of of a sudden kind "wilted". Anyway, I was wondering if there is anything I can do for it to prevent it from rotting, or is already too late.

The other question I have is, what is the best way to keep this plants during the winter. It's getting too cold at night to keep them outside. So I've been just keeping them inside for now. Should I get some type of lamp to put them under or just let them rest in a closet or something. ALso, does anyone know anything about grow lamps. Like can I just get the light bulb and put it in any lamp or does it have to be a certain fixture. Also, where do I acquire these grow lamps.

Any suggestion of what to do with my surviving cutting would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

wanda662
17 years ago
If your plant is getting soft and has wilted leaves sounds like it needs to be watered. Your plants will start dropping their leaves soon. You can put them in a corner for the winter and water them about once a month, just a little.
I don't use grow lights so you'll have to wait for someone else to advise you on that.
new_mexico_shane
17 years ago
This is a tough question to give help on without seeing what is happening with the plant. If the stem is going soft or has turned black, that indicates rot, and may be due to too much water. Wilting leaves, on the other hand, may indicate that it needs water. Until new cuttings are fully leafed, some folks do not water them at all -- there seem to be some mixed opinions about that. Unless you are in an area where it stays warm all winter long, they will probably go dormant and drop their leaves. Then they need to come indoors to be protected from freezing temps. I am attempting to keep one rooted plant and two cutting growing actively through the winter by keeping them warm and using grow lamps (I live in Idaho, and winter is here for us). I bought two large incandescent spot lights that I have in inexpensive clamp-on reflector-type fixtures. They are GE brand and labled as "Gro Lamps" or something like that. The light spectrum is adjusted slightly to favor photosynthesis. So far, my plumeria are doing well. But this is my first winter raising them. I hope that helps.

Shane
Related Discussions
New to grow lights, questions to be had. :)
Q
Comments (5)
Metal halide(MH) is the best. High Pressure Sodium is also excellent. Fluorescent are good but not as powerful- they need to be even closer to the plant(and you need real fluorescent grow lights- not the cheap ones from the hardware store). With any of these, you need blue spectrum bulbs (6k) for plant growth and red spectrum bulbs (around 3k I think) for flowering- when the time is right. With the MH you can now get a single full spectrum bulb that has both growth and flowering spectrum in one. These are expensive systems- especially the MH and HPS. Also, they are intensely bright. I tried the MH system in my living room but it was WAY WAY WAY too bright so I switched it for a fluorescent system with 6 t5 bulbs- much nicer to look at. This website has a good chart for comparisons- good luck. http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/guide3.shtml Here is a link that might be useful: Indoor Plant Grow Light Guide
...See More
Plumeria started growing! I have Questions!
Q
Comments (5)
Water and light fertilizer onto damp soil. Let dry. Plant looks good. Mist leaves and Enjoy. I do not care for clay pots as they breathe too much and the roots stick to the sides. I prefer black nursery pots or glazed pots with a glaze inside. Turn your plant every few days to even growth and cut down on sunburn on the stem. You can slit a paper towel cardboard lengthwise and snap it around the stem until it gets more leaves if your window is very hot. When you pot up, take a long smooth knife and cut along the pot sides all the way around before removing the soil and roots. Bill
...See More
Question on plumeria dormancy under winter grow lights
Q
Comments (20)
I received four plumerias last spring (in Minnesota) and planted them in pots and kept them inside in front a sunny East window until temperatures rose outside. Then I put them on the on the outside South patio. They leafed out nicely. When it started getting cold, I brought them and put them in my bedroom which faces south. I placed them there in the sun and added a small grow light which I left on 12 hours a day plus they received the sun on sunny days. I watered them well once a week. They have grown a lot and are full of leaves. They did not go dormant and I never had any bugs nor root rot. I am planning to put them back on the south patio in mid-June when all danger of frost is gone. Since they never had a chance to go dormant, I was wondering if that would hurt them? And, I was wondering when I should start fertilizing them? Should I start now (early April) or wait until I move them outside? The are very healthy, large, and beautiful. Many thanks for any help/answers anyone can give me.
...See More
My new plumeria has root rot!!!
Q
Comments (6)
Hi, I have a similar problem. I have had my plumeria for three years; it was growing beautifully... until now. It appears as though the problem might have been caused by a bird who enjoyed sitting on one of the 2 main branches. It, apparently, pecked at my tree and it began rotting from that open wound down. There are 3 smaller branches that are healthy and unaffected. They have been cut off and re-potted. I cut the branch down to where it is healthy again, but should I cut it more... to the spot where this branch joins the main trunk, or do I keep it cut where it is? I'm wondering what would be most beneficial for re-growth in the future. Help!!! Thanks!
...See More

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Considering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First

By Sarah Phipps Design

Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features

MOVING Hiring a Home Inspector? Ask These 10 Questions

By Christine Tusher

How to make sure the pro who performs your home inspection is properly qualified and insured, so you can protect your big investment

CURB APPEAL 7 Questions to Help You Pick the Right Front-Yard Fence

By Matthew Ankeny

Get over the hurdle of choosing a fence design by considering your needs, your home’s architecture and more

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

HOUSEPLANTS 10 Top Plants to Grow Indoors

Brighten a room and clean the air with a houseplant that cascades artfully, stretches toward the ceiling or looks great on a wall

HOUSEPLANTS How to Grow Orchids Indoors

By Marianne Lipanovich

Orchids are the exotic aristocrats of the flower world and can make themselves comfortable in almost any home

GARDENING GUIDES What Kind of Roses Should You Grow?

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Want to add the beauty of roses to your garden? Find out which ones, from old-fashioned to modern, are right for you

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops

By Marianne Lipanovich

This guide will help any gardener get started on growing the freshest warm-season veggies and berries for summer

EDIBLE GARDENS Why Grow Quince? For Beauty, Fragrance and Old-Time Flavor

By Marianne Lipanovich

Delightfully perfumed fruit and lovely spring blossoms make this apple and pear cousin worth a spot in the garden

Sponsored

12 Reviews

Pittsburgh's Custom Kitchen & Bath Designs for Everyday Living

More Discussions

My Plumeria tree is it sick?

1

How to save my plumeria?

6