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 Care Instructions Yes, you can grow Plumeria in your area! Plumeria (frangipani) are true tropical flowering trees that smell heavenly, and the blooms are intoxicating! You can't have just one! They are easy to grow and require little care; and since Plumeria have a natural dormant period, they can easily be grown in containers and brought inside during winter months and stored. During periods of dormancy, plumeria require no water. Plumeria can be grown in containers, in the ground, or in containers sunk in the ground (called plunging). During the months of active growth, ample sun, food, and water are essential. Your Plumeria (plumie) will bloom regularly and profusely when they receive at least six hours of full sun per day. Plumeria are heavy feeders and will bloom and grow vigorously with an ample amount of the proper foods. Plumeria love lots of water but cannot tolerate wet feet, so they must be planted in fast draining soil or in beds with adequate drainage. The size of the container will control the size of your plant. In tropical zones, plumeria will grow up to 20 feet in height and up to 20 feet in diameter. When bringing your plant out of dormancy, gradually increase the amount of light so as not to sun scorch your plumeria; even the stems can become sunburned if not gradually exposed to the sunlight after a period of dormancy. Q: I have a few Plumeria plants in pots. I keep them on my front steps that receive sun from approximately 11 a.m. until the sun sets in the afternoon/evening. I've had the plants for two years and have yet to have any flowers bloom. In fact, I have never even seen a bud. I usually feed them with Miracle Gro biweekly. Is there anything else I can do to promote flower growth? A: Plumerias need the light and warmth you are giving them, but you are giving them the wrong type of fertilizer. They need a "super bloom," "bloom booster" type of fertilizer, which has a high phosphorus content (look for a high middle number on the package, like Peter's Super Bloom 10-50-10 (Miracle Gro makes a bloom booster, too). Use one every week or so during the growing season. Miracle Gro is a fine general, all-purpose fertilizer, but is higher in nitrogen, which promotes too much lovely, leafy growth for a blooming plant. Keep your Plumeria plants somewhat drier indoors during the winter, and don't panic if they lose all their leaves; they are succulent, and the leaves will reappear next spring, and that's when you will begin the new higher phosphorus fertilizer regimen. At two years, the plants might also be a bit young to bloom. Some species take a couple of years for cuttings to root and finally flower. Q: I just purchased cuttings from you. I really want them to root and grow. What do I do next? A: The cuttings have been dipped in Hormodin, a root stimulator before shipping. Cuttings root best when they are left to dry and callus over for a few days before planting. We suggest rooting them by sticking the bottom 2 inches in a soil mixture of cactus mix and perlite. It is light and fast draining. Water well and stake your stick (Plumeria cutting), and tie it securely to prevent motion while rooting. Your Plumeria will not need to be watered (except for an occasional misting if you wish once or twice a week) until you have several fully formed leaves, then you can gradually start increasing the amount of water. A rule of thumb I learned from another plumerian is . . . . . no leaves, no roots . . . . . no roots, no water. Happy growing! FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON GROWING PLUMERIA: CONSIDER JOINING THE PLUMERIA SOCIETY OF AMERICA: http://www.theplumeriasociety.org List of Plumeria Society of America (PSA) registered plumeria varieties: http://www.theplumeriasociety.org/cnt/files/July%202007%20Registered%20Cultivars.pdf JUST FOR FUN AND TO MEET OTHER PLUMERIA ENTHUSIASTS: http://www.plumeriaaddiction.com/ ALSO A MEMBER OF DAVE'S GARDEN AND GARDENS.COM http://www.gardenstore-n-more.com/servlet/StoreFront
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