I think it is best to keep a plumeria in the pot for a year to build up a good root system and to get the plant through the first winter as frost is deadly on young plants.However, you can plant as soon as you have a decent set of six inch leaves. I am in Costa Mesa with less heat and a few frost days too. I have about 30 in the ground but most were planted half a decade ago as two year olds.

amj0517, I too am consistently amazed by how petty adults can be and how quickly some rush to malign others with hurtful gossip. You're so right - nothing has changed since junior high. Nothing except our ability to consider the source of such hurtful words and make the conscious choice not to internalize them. I think that's just a bit easier to do as an adult than as a child, simply because we have so much more life experience. Pesky, I too have been the subject of the same kind of "trash talk" as you, and I have to admit that my tendency is to really want to shock people who have said such things about me. I know that's playing into their hands, but there's a part of me that wants to rebel and my rebellion does not take the form of bowing to their "good girl/boy" images. And really, what is "white trash"? Usually a very inaccurate perception of someone who doesn't go along with a traditional, mainstream lifestyle. Usually a judgment call about someone else based upon their outward appearance, material possessions, or socioeconomic status. People who set themselves up in a position to judge that way are not people I want in my life. Hold your head high and continue to be exactly who and what you are. You can't control the thoughts, talk or actions of others, and although it does hurt to feel that you've been on the receiving end of their small-mindedness, just keep being who you are and carry on. Just based upon the person I know you to be here, I think you are pretty damned terrific.

Hollysprings: I was actually expecting that more of them would. And I wouldn't have minded at all, because I'd figure it would give the house more exposure and also help them see that we weren't what some people stereotype FSBO sellers to be. I would hear them out, because I have this gigantic unanswered question of "how can you help sell my house faster than I can?" Other than putting it in the MLS, for which $15K seeks a mighty high price tag, I'd like to hear what they think they can do. But no one has stopped by. The realtor who helped us buy the house has emailed a couple times saying she will, but never has. And another agent called up saying she wanted to see it, but never followed up either.

The real question is what do you WANT and what did your contractor AGREE to provide you via the contract and construction drawings. If you wanted the arrangement you describe, and both the contract and the construction drawings indicate that the work should have been performed to provide you with that arrangement....then there is no question that the contractor needs to provide you with what he agreed to do...regardless of the cost to him to correct his own mistake. And don't let ANYONE talk you out of what you are due and the contractor is obigated to provide you with, by law, for your hard earned money paid. It's HIS mistake, let HIM learn from it...the hard way if necessary.