Plumeria Plants – Part I – Terms and Definitions for Plumerias & other Tropical Plants – “A” Through “I”

Plumeria plants are gaining more and more popularity worldwide as more information about growing and rooting methods become available. For the average gardener it is important to understand the lingo he/she encounters when reading about tropical plants, plumeria plants in particular.

Plumeria 'Charlotte Ebert'

This is part one of a multiple part series of terms for plumeria gardeners. The list of terms is in alphabetical order and can easily be filed for future reference. This reference series is very helpful when communicating with other knowledgeable plant lovers and gardeners . By using the same terms describing issues about plumerias moves the discussion along since these terms have you speaking the same language.

Following are the terms that are helpful knowing when reading about plumeria plants, and tropical plants in general.

Anther is the male reproductive part of flowers. This is actual the part which contains the pollen.

Anthesis describes the time and the process of budding, including the opening of flowers. One synonym for Anthesis is blossoming.

Apical bud is the terminal bud which develops at the tip of the branches.

Axis is described as the angle between the upper surface of the leaf and the stem to which it is attached.

Buds are small bulges, knobs, or swellings on stems or branches. These buds contain an undeveloped flower, leaf, or shoot. This general term covers all the multiple type buds, not just the 'flower bud'.

Bud drop is the premature dropping of the flower buds before they had a chance to fully open.

Callus is the thickened tissue which is developed by woody plants to cover cuts.

Cambium can be described as a ring of tissue which is found in woody seed plants. Cork is produced on the outside of the ring and primary tissue on the inside. This primary tissue is composed of thin-walled cells.

Chimera is a genetic mutation in plants. It can cause part of the plant or all of the plant to have a different appearance when compared to the original plant.

Chlorophyl is the green pigment of plants which traps the energy of the sun for photosynthesis.

Cork is described as the outer layer of the bark.

Corolla is the term used to describe all petals of one flower.

Cortex is the outer portion of stems and roots.

Cotyledons are the first emerging leaves of seedlings. Cotyledons are not considered “true” leaves. They provide the seedlings with nourishments until the true leaves have developed.

Damping off is the premature demise of seedlings which is many times caused by overcrowding and overwatering of seedlings.

Deciduous plants are plants which lose their leaves during a specific season.

Evergreen plants are plants which maintain their foliage throughout the year.

Floral envelope describes all sepals and petals of one flower.

Floret is an individual flower in a flower cluster.

Floriferous is the term used for plants which flower abundantly.

Flowers are reproductive structures of some seed bearing plants.

Fungus is a collective term for a wide variety of organisms which reproduce by spores.

Fungicide is described as any toxin which kills or prevents the growth of fungi. Note: fungi is plural for fungus.

Hermaphrodite is any bisexual plant which means that the flower contains both stamens and pistils.

Indigenous plants are plants which grow naturally in a particular region.

Inflorescence is the term used to describe a flower cluster or a characteristic arrangement of flowers on a stem.

Insecticide is any chemical substance which is used to kill insects.

Part One covers letters “A” through “I”. Part Two of this Plant Terms Series will begin with the letter “J”. Stay tuned for Part Two with the remaining alphabetical listings of terms and definitions from the world of plumeria plants and tropical plants in general.

For more information on plumerias and for your FREE tropical plant guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Plumeria Plant Care.

Plumeria obtusa 'Singapore'

Copyright © Bob Walsh 2011

www.howtogrowplumeriafrangipani.com

Stephanotis floribunda Flowers

Stephanotis floribunda is also called Madagascar Jasmine, Waxflower and Hawaiian Wedding Flower. It is a flowering climbing plant producing flowers which are commonly used in bridal bouquets.

Stephanotis floribunda

Stephanotis flowers are waxy, star-shaped and highly scented. Flowers fade to yellow after several days. The flowers last a long time and have a strong sweet scent.

Stephanotis floribunda grows best in sunny locations. Make sure the soil is well draining and let the top of the soil come to a visible dryness before watering again. Regular fertilizing with a fertilizer high in Phosphorus promotes flowering. It also appreciates regular misting and foliar feeding.

Propagation is by cuttings or seeds, which are produced irregularly. Fresh seeds will germinate in about seven days.

Stephanotis floribunda, like other tropical plants, including plumerias, can be grown successfully  if proven and tested guidelines are followed.

Next, for your FREE tropical plants guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Tropical Plants. 

Copyright © Bob Walsh 2011

Vireya - Tropical Rhododendron

Vireya is also called Tropical Rhododendron.

 

These are semi-tropical rhododendrons that are mainly

native to the mountains of Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo

and Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.

In their native habitat tropical rhododendron can be found

growing either as epiphytes or terrestrials.

Vireya come in a variety of shapes and sizes ranging

from dwarf size to shrubs and trees of all sizes.

Some tropical rhododendrons have  foliage as thin as pine

needles while others have leaves that can grow a foot long. 

Their flowers are often fragrant, and are the most colorful

of all rhododendrons. The most common colors include

orange, pink, red and yellow.

 

When planting Vireya, like many tropical plants,

rapid drainage is of utmost importance. Their roots

run close to the surface and can easily heat up

from the sun. Providing Vireya with good mulch

covering keeps the roots cool.

Vireya like bright light, but not direct sunlight, which

promotes buds set. Planted in shady areas will help

keep their colors bright.  They should be protected

from hot midday sun to prevent the burning of

foliage and buds. 

Pinching new growth results in more branching.

Regular deadheading of the seedpods is recommended

to direct the plant's energy to bud production.

 

When you decide to plant your tropical rhododendron

in a pot, smaller is better as Vireya actually perform 

better when roots are pot bound.

Use a fertilizer which is designed for plants that

prefer acidic soil which results in healthy foliage

and bud production. 

Like other tropical and semi-tropical plants Vireya

can bring you years of enjoyment when you follow

tested and proven guidelines. 

Copyright © Bob Walsh 2011

www.howtogrowplumeriafrangipani.com  

Wurzelentwicklung eines Setzlings von Plumeria rubra 'Puu Kahea'

Das Bild zeigt die Entwicklung der Wurzeln eines Stecklings von Plumeria "Puu Kahea" nur 39 Tage nachdem der Steckling unbewurzelt gepflanzt wurde. Dieser unbewurzelte Plumeria Steckling wurde im Spätherbst 2010 gesetzt.

Die meisten Plumeria Gärtner hängen an dem alten Glauben, daß man bis zum Frühjahr warten muß damit Plumeria Stecklinge Wurzeln bilden.

Aber, das Bild erzählt eine andere Geschichte.

Wurzelentwicklung nach 39 Tagen

Besuchen Sie Plumeria Pflege für mehr Information über Plumerias und Ihren gratis tropischen Pflanzen-Ratgeber. 

Tropical Plants and Plumeria Care in Temperate Climates

When it comes to growing tropical plants, including plumerias, some gardeners will tell you that these plants cannot be grown in temperate climates. Recently, I have been asked how tropical plants and plumerias can be grown in less than ideal conditions meaning outside their native subtropical and tropical climates.

Tropical plant lovers can let their imagination run wild in creating tropical gardens of their own with all the new plants and information that is available to them these days. No longer do they have to listen to all the naysayers telling them it can't be done. Gardeners can create a tropical garden with banana plants, heliconias, plumerias, and other beautiful exotic tropical plants. Many of these tropical plants have been developed and hybridized for this very reason.

In temperate climates gardeners have to grow their tropical plants in pots, and supplement what is needed to re-create their native conditions. The tropical plant gardener in temperate climate zones has to adjust the plants and growing conditions to fit his or her local garden parameters.

For example, if a gardener wants to include banana plants in the garden design, instead of growing banana plants that grow twelve feet or more, like Musa 'Ice Cream' and Musa 'Monthan', growing dwarf fruiting banana plants is the available and correct choice.

Excellent dwarf fruiting banana plants include Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish', Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Lady Finger', and Musa acuminata 'Super Dwarf Cavendish'. These dwarf banana plants don't take up much space and can produce fruits when provided with the correct growing conditions.

Another excellent alternate choice to grow in temperate climates are ornamental banana plants, called Musa ornata. They produce colorful inflorescences, flower stalks, which carry inedible banana fruits. Colors of the inflorescences include red, white, purple and pink. An excellent edible choice is Musa velutina, also called pink flowering banana. The fruit is actually edible if one doesn't mind the seeds. The bananas actually peel themselves back when ripe. Musa velutina starts flowering and fruiting once it reaches three feet in height.

Musa ornata

When traveling to tropical destinations vacationers encounter heliconias growing in the wild. Many heliconias grow so tall that they would not be considered suitable for container growing.

But there are also many smaller heliconias available that can be grown successfully in pots outside during the summer months and inside during the colder months of the year. One group is Heliconia psittacorum which grows happily in a pot. Cultivars include Heliconia psittacorum 'Lady Di', Heliconia psittacorum 'Strawberries and Cream', and Heliconia psittacorum 'Andromeda'. Several plants of Heliconia stricta can also be successfully grown in containers, including Heliconia stricta 'Firebird', Heliconia stricta 'Sharonii', and Heliconia stricta 'Bucky'.

Heliconia psittacorum 'Lady Di'

If one's growing space is restricted or limited in size, Heliconia stricta 'Dwarf Jamaican' is an excellent choice. This is a true dwarf heliconia not growing more than two to three feet high. It is a bushy plant with heavily pleated leaves which have a thin red stripe down the center. The bracts look like miniature lobster claws and are comparatively large in contrast to the size of the plant. These bracts last a long time. 

 

Plumeria plants are another group of tropical plants thought to be impossible to grow in temperate climates. By providing the correct Plumeria Care these plants can be grown as far north as Alaska. Plumeria care involves choosing the correct potting mix, soil additives, fertilizers, and more. This is true for all tropical plants.

There is a feeling of serenity when one watches the flowers of plumeria plants which come not only in many different colors such as white, red, yellow, pink and rainbow, but also have unforgettable fragrances which include citrus, coconut, gardenia, jasmine, peaches, roses and many more.

Plumeria plants can grow quite tall, but can be maintained at the desired height with the correct pruning techniques. In recent years several dwarf varieties have been introduced, including Plumeria obtusa 'Dwarf Singapore Pink', Plumeria rubra 'Divine', and Plumeria rubra 'Mini-White'. Divine and Mini-White are considered true miniatures. 

Plumeria obtusa 'Dwarf Singapore Pink'

 

Another dwarf hybrid is Plumeria obtusa 'Dwarf Deciduous' which produces large white flowers with a strong citrus fragrance.

Plumerias over the last fifteen to twenty years have gained more and more gardeners' attention worldwide. More and more international gardeners who have experienced plumerias first hand through their travels, or have discovered them on the internet are including them in their tropical garden designs. Plumerias are also known and called 'Frangipani' which is their recognizable name around the world.

These are just a few examples of tropical plants which can be grown successfully with proper care in temperate climates. Other plants that the tropical gardeners can include in their newly designed gardens are gingers, calatheas, proteas, and tropical rhododendrons.

If you have fallen in love with tropical plants and want to create your exotic tropical garden oasis in the temperate zone where you reside, go ahead and give it a go. New discoveries and gardening methods have opened the door for new possibilities to grow the garden closest to your heart's desire, even if the local trusted gardeners haven't kept up with all these new gardening developments.

Especially, if tropical plants are at the center of your gardening dreams, find a good current

tropical plant care guide and read up on the newest methods that are out there and available. 

For more information on growing plumeria cuttings, plants and seeds successfully and to read excerpts from How To Grow Plumeria - Frangipani Anytime Anywhere! visit Plumeria Care 101. 

Copyright © Bob Walsh 2011 
www.BobWalshPlumeriaCare101.com
www.BobWalshFrangipaniPlumeriaPflege.com
www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com