Is my plumeria on the way out? It was NOT happy with its wintertime lodgings last winter; I don't have my nice greenhouse any more and where I overwintered my plants did not have much light. Is it happy or not?

It's alive. Not looking terribly happy. What sort of soil do you have it in?

I make my own mix.......2 parts peat moss and 1 part each of sand and compost. It's done fine in previous years, even bloomed. It was the winter lodgings it is not happy with.

AnnaZ said:I make my own mix.......2 parts peat moss and 1 part each of sand and compost. It's done fine in previous years, even bloomed. It was the winter lodgings it is not happy with.

Definitely not the ideal potting mix for a Plumeria. Anna you _Need to lighten that up with 50% Perlite so it will drain FAST. Also, at this time of year your plumeria will be slowing down growth. (IF) you are planning on keeping this alive during the Winter indoors, it's going to need a lot of supplemental light.

Guess I need to exhume both out of the pots and mix in some perlite. I "suggested" to the SU that we need to put some "daylight" lights on a timer down there. *sigh*...........It was a trade-off, but I really do not want to give up my 4 months in Texas for the better greenhouse.

Heating mat and lights should help. Also know that Plumerias are VERY sensitive to pesticides and herbicides which will result in funny growth.

Not had either applied.

Plumerias can be stored dormant, and even bare root in areas that get frost. Lots of people do it.

About the time I try it they'd probably croak. So, when I'd take them in before frost, just shake all the soil off?

I don't actually do it, as I live in So. Cal, but I've read either wrap the roots, or store in vermiculite . Basically , sounds like treat them as you would bulbs that have to be dug and stored.

Oh, fooey..............I didn't go back and read this before I went to town......thought you said store in pearlite, Carol, so I bought 2 bags. Gah!!!!!!!!! What is the difference between pearlite and vermiculite?

Vermiculite holds moisture, and breaks down faster than perlite. I have no idea if that would matter for your purposes.

I suppose I better see if Farm and Fleet has it (tho I'm thinking if they even DO have it it would be in the back of the store in hiding at this time of the year).