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Sep 10, 2019 5:40 PM CST
Thread OP
Alaska! (Zone 4b)
Hello All!

I am new to Plumeria, and ornamentals in general. I mostly grow herbs and medicinal type plants, with a growing interest in bonsai. I lived in Hawaii years ago and have always wanted to experience the smell in my home! I have already learned much from this forum and about a week ago I acquired my first plumeria start. It is a Belle Vista and was started from seed in 2017 by the lady I bought it from. I wanted to get some advice about the care I am providing and make sure I am on the right track. I prefer to be proactive as best I can and make sure the environment(indoors in Alaska) I provide is the best it can be. Mainly I am wondering if placing it on a seedling mat is a good idea. It got pretty warm to the touch so I put it on the saucer to reduce the heat a bit. I have a 40w LED grow light over top and in the morning the leaves are reaching, and by afternoon they turn down a bit. I got it with only two leaves. The closest one was just sprouting a week ago and the new ones are quickly emerging. The soil has a high percentage of perlite and I am fairly confident I am not over watering. I have fed it but don't plan on doing that often. I really do want to learn to read her well and take good care!
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Sep 10, 2019 6:14 PM CST
Name: Glenn Graham
Memphis (Zone 7b)
Adeniums Region: Tennessee Plumerias Orchids Houseplants Growing under artificial light
Dog Lover Butterflies Birds Amaryllis Tropicals
@Floreal Welcome! I believe you're the First from Alaska !

Everything looks Good from your pics Smiling

Question: Was it 43 degrees in your grow room? That's way too cool for a small Plumeria.

As you most likely know, seedlings will produce colors Different from Belle Vista. Just say it'll be a "Surprise" when the first flowers open.

Regarding the 40 watt LED Is that the Output or the Usage rating?

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Sep 10, 2019 8:54 PM CST
Name: Cheryl
North of Houston TX (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Greenhouse Plant Identifier Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Plumerias Ponds
Foliage Fan Enjoys or suffers hot summers Tropicals Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
I think that's 43% humidity. Its 73°. Welcome! Looking good! With all your sunlight in the summers your plumeria will enjoy it! But those bitter cold winters! Maybe a heat mat underneath the pot will keep the roots warm? I know they use ut for seedlings, not sure if it would work with a rooted plant. I do know mine really enjoy the warmth sitting on cement
Welcome! I hope others will chime in
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uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you Smile.
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Sep 11, 2019 6:23 AM CST

Plumerias Photo Contest Winner: 2015 Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Forum moderator
Region: Florida Cat Lover Garden Sages Cactus and Succulents Tropicals Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
Welcome! and as stated, you will need to supply heat as well as light in order for your plumeria (a tropical tree, after all!) to bloom. As already mentioned your plumeria - since it is seed-grown - will not be 'Bella Vista' but a new variety. If it is nice you could name it yourself and even register it if you wish!
However - a seedling can take a number of years (3 years and up) to bloom and you may get impatient. I would definitely recommend that you get an established plant grown from a cutting from a reputable seller so you will see blooms sooner.
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Sep 11, 2019 5:46 PM CST
Thread OP
Alaska! (Zone 4b)
I don't mind waiting for the blooms. In the meantime I just want to give it everything it needs.
I have just purchased the Sensi 70w LED grow light which has an output of about 48watts. The current light I'm using says 40w but is closer to 25watt. So it will be an increase in wattage from what it has now. Other than cupping in the morning and leaves turning down in the afternoon, what else should I look for as signs that it's not happy with the amount of light? All the plants under the grow lights get more than twelve hours a day of light, simply because I turn it on when I get up and then off when I go to bed, which is not always a consistent time. This particular seedling spent time outside this summer. We had an unusually HOT summer. It broke many records and because of the day length, many broken records for growth. I don't know if we'll ever see that again but I think the summers are warm enough to put plumeria outside. I have the perfect spot for next year.
It stays between 65 and 75 degrees in the house. The lower end happens deeper into winter. That's why I was thinking to use the heat mat for the plumeria because it's a tropical tree and my home is not as warm as Hawaii. But if all it does is warm roots maybe that's not helping much.
Anyway, thanx so much for your help Smiling
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