Hi everybody,

During 3 years, I used to winter my plums, in my verandas. Living in south of France, near Marseille, the climate does not allow to put the plums in the ground. I put them in containers, and then in the soil for 3 or 4 months. The roots can develop through the container holes, and feed the plants.. That's a big benefit.

Now with about 150 plumies, I've built a 20m² green house, with manly very thick polycarbonate (1""1/2), or 32 mm) panels, so that I would not spend all my money with electricity consumption LOL ... cost would be about 1 or 2 $ per day … depending on the weather.

An improvement will be done in 2020, with a green house flour heating. With 3 solar panels (about 6 kw, but probably 3 or 4 in winter) ... heat accumulation in sand, and restitution during the night, this should be TOP ... but before some work to be done ...
Some pics, to enjoy.

Thank you for reading.












Still 50 to come ...

WOW 150 Plumerias @mbndupuy

Michel; Your Greenhouse is DREAM !!

Thanks BBQNBLUES, yes a dream and a lot of work too

@mbdndupuy, you sure have a very nice setup there. Enjoy all your hard work.

Can you tell me more about minimum temperatures at your place during the winter,and what amount of rain you get in that period?
We are at the same HD zone and I am seriously considering the idea to risk outdoor planting,and you,maybe,have some experience with it.

bzr said: Can you tell me more about minimum temperatures at your place during the winter,and what amount of rain you get in that period?
We are at the same HD zone and I am seriously considering the idea to risk outdoor planting,and you,maybe,have some experience with it.

I never thought it was possible to plant outdoor. More than several time per winter, the temperature IS below ZERO celsius, often -3 or -4. And 6 years ago, it was about -6 to -10 cela during a full week.
During the winter, it dors not rain too much, about 200 or 300 mm .... But for Plumeria in dormancy that's not acceptable.
That's why they are indoor, and I control the temperature at about 8 cel ... And more if the sun is here.
Hope that help.

I am a bit more lucky about minimum temperatures here,they rarely reach -3 and I hope good covering in the protected spot will do the trick,together with variety tonda palermitana that should be hardy enough for it.It is the rain that I should take care of...
Another question...why you decided to make a greenhouse when common storage is good enough as a winter shelter for dormant plants? You are trying to extend the season?
Btw,great project and wonderful plants, i wish i can do something like that for my self too,please keep posting the progress.

BZR … great, but even -1° is risky, and just a cover (should be thick and efficient) could be not enough, if the freezing period (during the night) is more than a few hours … without heat source, the system with a cover is working on inertia, should the temperature be rather negative for a couple of day, without sun, that's very risky.
After that the cover could work well on small trees, but after a few years … what will append .. but you should try YES.

About the green house, versus a garage, you are right .. but I don't have a garage or a place to store them during the winter, I should have built some thing, so the green house was a solution .. could be used during the spring for early seedling, of (for exemple) Strawberries in permaculture .. ideas ..

Thanks for reading, good luck from your side.

One more question if you dont mind..I am quite new with plumerias and here around me, literally ,there is no one that knows plumerias even exist.

What do you do with those roots that overgrow the buckets ? Do you cut them? And when? Is any treatment necessary ?
I am planing to put my plants in the soil during the warm months as you do so any advice about it is highly appreciated .

hm,it is more then one question..lol

Hi, welcome …

Just have a look on my previous posts, you could get a lot of replies.

The roots will indeed fill up the containers, and escape though the holes to get water and feed them in the soil. When I remove the containers, a lot of roots are still attached, and I cut them.

During the new saison, they will again grow up … some time I repot, to increase the container size. I also read, that you can prune the roots ball, about 1/4, and repot with new additional soil.

A green house for wintering my plums and adenium
Greenhouses forum
Oct 27, 2019 8:39 AM

Some pictures of my plumies, this year 2019
Plumeria forum
Aug 17, 2019 12:51 PM

Winter is coming ... it's time to move => you will see the roots ...
Plumeria forum
Feb 10, 2017 11:35 AM

My small forest => also a small video
Plumeria forum
Sep 26, 2016 2:52 PM