What To Consider Before Purchasing Plumeria Cuttings And Plumeria Plants

Welcome All Gardeners,

When searching the internet for plumeria 
cuttings to purchase, it's easy to get 
carried away.

Practically every cutting you see is one
you want for one reason or another. 

Some you choose because of the name.

The other choices you make are based 
on the color, fragrance and/or the price. 

In the end you order a bundle of cuttings
and all purchased are justified based on 
your needs and wants to complete your
plumeria collection.
  
The day that the cuttings arrive at your
front door, you open the boxes and get 
even more excited as you plant each new 
cutting noticing how many of them already
have developed small "claws". 

These claws soon will develop into leaves
and new growth on any plumeria cutting is 
reason to celebrate. 

Arranging all your newly ordered planted
plumeria cuttings where you want them,
you proudly and excitedly admire these
new additions to your collection.

But this excitement soon can turn into a
problematic logistic question, "Why did I 
buy so many cuttings?", once the 
plumeria cuttings have rooted and start 
to grow "full steam ahead" developing 
leaves more than a foot long.

It's relatively easy to plant and space 
15 or more unrooted cuttings as the 
picture below of some of the cuttings I 
planted at the beginning of September 
2012 illustrates. 

Plumeria cuttings planted on Sept. 4, 2012

It's important to consider the growing space you 

have available for your plumeria cuttings after

they start actively growing.  

The overlapping and crowding newly growing 
leaves open the door to harmful disease and 
insect problems due to interference with 
proper lighting, humidity and airflow of each
individual planted cutting.

The picture below shows Plumeria 'Makanani'.

The cutting was planted  on  May 12, 2012 
in Chicago with the spent inflorescence 
still attached and three branches just 
emerging.

As of September 6, 2012 the plant 
already had a span of 28 1/2 inches 
with leaves up to 13 inches long.

 Plumeria 'Makanani'

The picture below shows Plumeria 'Pink Pansy' 

which is considered to have a compact growth

habit.

The cutting, which had just flowered and started

to develop two branches, was planted, like

Makanani above, on May 12, 2012 in Chicago.

As of September 6, 2012 the plant had a span 
of 16 inches with leaves averaging  8 inches 
in length.

Plumeria 'Pink Pansy'

When comparing the sizes of Makanani and 
Pink Pansy, the young plants already exhibit
the difference in growth habit at an early 
stage.

Thankfully, many internet retailers list the 
growth habit of plumerias offered as cuttings 
and/or plants.

Next time you're purchasing plumeria 
cuttings and/or plants consider their growth 
habit if growing space is an issue for you.

If the growth habit of a specific plumeria you 
want to purchase isn't listed, contact the 
retailer by email.

When purchasing plumerias on the internet,
it is important to consider the big picture of 
where am I going to put all the cuttings I want 
to buy.  

And where can they be planted to provide 
the best growing conditions without 
endangering them and preventing them 
from proper and successful growth.


My plumeria book,
How To Grow Plumeria - Frangipani Anytime Anywhere!,
which is currently offered with FREE SHIPPING,
gives you step-by-step instructions what to do
with your plumerias now and enjoy them again 
flowering during the 2013 growing season.

Happy Growing,

Bob Walsh
www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com 

Helpful Watering Tips During Periods Of Drought

With most parts of the country suffering under high temperatures and/or drought conditions I want to share with you a newsletter that I recently received from Jung Seeds....

The drought and heat that we are experiencing this summer has not been seen for many years and can do a lot of damage to your trees, shrubs, and perennials if they are not managed properly. The yellowing and curled leaves, fruit drop and other symptoms are effects seen on plants right now, but there can be intermediate and long-term damage if watering is not done. 

Secondary damage may be increased by wild life and insects feeding on garden plants and fruits. Long term damage may be root damage, diminished winter hardiness, twig die back and eventual death. So here are a few things that can be done to lessen the damage done by drought.

Prioritize the watering of plants so the most susceptible are taken care of first.

The first class of plants that should have high priority are your trees and shrubs. 

This is most important with any new plantings. New plantings would include any trees and shrubs that have been planted in the last two years. When watering these plants it is necessary to let the water trickle on the ground for a longer period of time. This will insure that water gets down to the roots that take up the water. If you go out and water for a short period of time, the water will not reach the roots where it needs to go.

 

The next class of plants that should have medium to high priority is your perennials, fruits and nut trees, and newly planted grass or sod. These plants have most of their roots in the top 6 inches of soil and if the drought gets severe, damage or complete death will occur if watering is not done.

Lower priority plants in extreme drought would be established lawns, herb plants and annuals. The reason for annuals and herb plants is they require the most watering to keep alive and can be replaced inexpensively or can be replanted next year when adequate moisture is available.

Lawns

Lawns are composed of bluegrass and fescues that are adapted to drought conditions. They will go dormant in seasons of drought and will recover when the rains and cool weather appear in the fall. 

If you lightly water your grass during times of drought, the roots of the plants will stay shallow. 

When you stop watering, the roots will dry up and the plants will be more susceptible to drying out and death than plants that have not been watered. 

If you do mow the lawn the height should be increased by at least an inch to help shade and shield the crowns from drying out. 

Keep foot and equipment traffic to a minimum as the crowns of the grass plants become brittle and can be easily damaged by walking on them. This is especially true when the grass is brown and brittle.

Perennials, Vegetable Plants and Annuals

These plants tend to have shallow roots systems. Frequent watering is necessary to keep them alive. 

Mulching these plants to shade the soil and keep the weeding down is an excellent use of mulch. 

The mulch should be organic such as ground bark, cocoa bean hulls, ground corn cobs, shredded leaves or grass clippings make excellent mulch. The mulch will allow you to water less frequently and will decompose which builds up your soil. When mulching use a little extra fertilizer to help break down the mulch.

Weeding

It is very important to keep your gardens, perennial beds and annual beds free of weeds. 

Weeds are the plants that are best adapted to an area and will tend to be more aggressive when water is limited. 

These plants will then grow well and take up most of the moisture. This will make it even harder for the plants you want to grow and succeed.

Watering Tips

Preferred Method of application....It is important to apply enough water to thoroughly wet the root zone when water is applied. 

Larger plants such as trees may require a drip for a couple hours to properly water. To use this soaking application it would be best to invest in a soaking hose or drip irrigation for vegetables, annuals and small fruit. Water is applied at lower pressure so it just trickles out of the hose to allow the whole root zone to be well watered.

When to Water....Water should be applied when the soil is completely dried out. Wilting or scorching of leaves is a sure sign of the need for water. 

Early morning is the best time of the day to water so the the leaves dry out by mid morning. 

Watering in the evening will sometimes lead to more plant diseases as the water on the leaves will not dry out and spores of the diseases will have all night to germinate and infect your plants.

How much....A good rule of thumb is to apply one inch of water per week over the surface of the soil. This will vary depending on the type of soil. If you have a heavy clay soil, less water is needed, but if you have a sandy soil the amount needed may be an inch twice a week instead of once a week.

Others Who Need Water

When thinking about the need for water, don't forget the wildlife that also is experiencing these hot, dry conditions. 

Put out a bird bath for the fine feathered creatures and maybe even a pan of water in a protected area for other wildlife. They also can suffer from the lack of water.

Happy Growing,

Bob Walsh
www.BobWalshPlumeriaCare101.com 
www.BobWalshFrangipaniPlumeriaPflege.com 

Plumeria obtusa 'Singapore' and Plumeria obtusa 'Dwarf Singapore Pink'

Plants of the species Plumeria obtusa can grow to small shrubs or large trees depending on the variety one chooses.

Plants of this species are considered evergreens as they don't shed all of their leaves during the shorter days of the year compared to other plumeria species.

The leaves, formed near the tip of the branches, have characteristically oblong shape with the tips being blunt, obtuse, which gives the species its name. The color of the leaves is dark green with a glossy shine.

Flowers develop on the inflorescences, flower stalks, at the tip of the branches.

In the early 1930s Mr. Harold Lyon brought the first cutting of Plumeria obtusa from Singapore to Hawaii and it was thus given the name, 'Singapore'.

Plumeria obtusa 'Singapore' produces white flowers with a bright yellow center and a strong citrus fragrance. The flowers range in size from 3 to 4 inches in diameter.

Flower petals are defined as wide, rounded and separated.

The keeping quality of these flowers is considered "poor" by some because they turn brown rather in a short period of time.

Plumeria obtusa 'Singapore'

Plumeria obtusa 'Dwarf Singapore Pink' is a true dwarf, well branched plumeria plant.

Flower buds are light pink with the flowers being pale pink which is accentuated in a darker shade of pink at the borders of each petal. The center of the flowers is orange with some red.  

Flowers are up to 3 inches in diameter and have a citrus fragrance.

The leaves of Plumeria obtusa 'Dwarf Singapore Pink", about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide, are shiny dark green.

Plumeria obtusa 'Dwarf Singapore Pink'

For information on growing plumeria cuttings, plants and seeds or to receive your FREE Tropical Plant Guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Plumeria Plant Care.

Copyright © Bob Walsh

www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com

My Favorite Annual Plants - Amaranthus tricolor 'Perfecta', 'Illumination' And 'Aurora'

One of my favorite annual plants are Amaranthus tricolor 'Perfecta', 'Illumination' and 'Aurora'. All three are commonly called Summer Poinsettias due to their brightly colored  tops that demand a lot of eye-catching attention in any garden..

The genus Amaranthus, commonly known as Amaranth, is comprised of about 60 species known for either their colorful inflorescences, flower stalks, leaves or both.

Different species of Amaranthus are used as either leafy vegetables, grains or ornamental plants.

Amaranthus tricolor, also known as Joseph's Coat, is widely used as an ornamental in the United States. The leaves and stems can serve as colorful additions to salads or be steamed and served as a side dish as they do in China and Japan.

These plants are easily raised from seeds and grow equally well in containers or planted in the ground.

Amaranthus tricolor prefers a partial sun to sunny location, regular watering and fertilizing with a fertilizer high in Nitrogen. It also benefits from a monthly application of fish emulsion.

Amaranthus tricolor 'Perfecta'

Amararanthus tricolor 'Illumination'

Amaranthus tricolor 'Aurora'

Copyright © Bob Walsh
www.BobWalshPlumeriaCare101.com 

www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com 

How To Grow Canna Lily Plants

Canna lily plants are wonderful flowering plants to grow, either in the ground or in pots, and provide the gardener with great aesthetic appeal and appearance in the garden or on the patio from early summer until fall frost.

To view the slideshow CLICK >>> How To Grow Canna Lily Plants.

How To Grow Canna Lily Plants

Copyright © Bob Walsh

www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com