Hi everyone! New to the forum and plumerias. I planted this cutting back in May and it's pretty close to blooming I think but it has also dropped a couple leaves in the last week. How much longer do you think before I start seeing flowers? I live in the Central Coast of California, Zone 10. Thanks!

Welcome. You may see the first flower in a week or so. What's your temps like there?

TeamCll said:Welcome. You may see the first flower in a week or so. What's your temps like there?

Yay, I'm excited! It's actually been in the high 80s all week. Unseasonably warm for this time of year.

The further south that one is located, the better the chance for seeing those late flowers.... although I sometimes wonder without complaining 'why have you -the plumeria- not gone to sleep yet???'.

It's the night time low temps that usually trigger sleep time. If it's getting down in the low 50s may want to bring it in at night. It looks far enough along to see some flowers but if it's dropping leaves it's getting close. You'll probably get some flowers this year tho. Send some pictures of first blooms.
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luis_pr said:The further south that one is located, the better the chance for seeing those late flowers.... although I sometimes wonder without complaining 'why have you -the plumeria- not gone to sleep yet???'.

Haha I'm definitely considering myself lucky. I didn't think I would get any blooms in the first year from what I read

Gimmiesomewater said:It's the night time low temps that usually trigger sleep time. If it's getting down in the low 50s may want to bring it in at night. It looks far enough along to see some flowers but if it's dropping leaves it's getting close. You'll probably get some flowers this year tho. Send some pictures of first blooms.
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It's been mid 50s - low 60s at night. But yeah it definitely seems like sleep time is close. A third leaf has started to shrivel up. Will definitely post pictures when the blooms arrive

1 week later. You can't see it in the picture but I'm starting to see hints of pink or red on the buds. And I'm bringing it in the evenings now, as I continue to lose more leaves. Come on, blooms! :)

By the looks of it, it'll be any day now. Keep your camera ready!

Do you happen to know which cultivar that is...if it is a Celadine, then it will handle our overnight temps. It has higher tolerance of cooler conditions...just continue to position in your sunniest side of the garden.

I am not too worried with the leaf loss at this time. It is redirecting its energies to the flower production. Just make sure you still give it good watering...the bloom process takes a lot of energy for them to do so.

One of my Plumies did that too years back, blooming at around this time, seemed to wait till the onerous summer heat has lessened.

I am excited to see the blooms! Have fun!

tarev said:Do you happen to know which cultivar that is...if it is a Celadine, then it will handle our overnight temps. It has higher tolerance of cooler conditions...just continue to position in your sunniest side of the garden.

I am not too worried with the leaf loss at this time. It is redirecting its energies to the flower production. Just make sure you still give it good watering...the bloom process takes a lot of energy for them to do so.

One of my Plumies did that too years back, blooming at around this time, seemed to wait till the onerous summer heat has lessened.

I am excited to see the blooms! Have fun!

I'm excited too! I have no idea what cultivar it is. It was a mystery cutting that I bought on Etsy so that adds to the suspense :)

I'm watering once a week. Should I increase it? And should I continue to fertilize this late in the season?

I don't fertilize anymore by this time. But do watch your overnight temps, and the winds around. Like right now, on my side, we are still on Red Flag warning due to the very drying strong winds and our temps here inland still swings high at mid day. So at most I do twice a week thorough watering, it is just so dry here.

We got varying microclimates so it all depends on how your ambient conditions go.

tarev said:I don't fertilize anymore by this time. But do watch your overnight temps, and the winds around. Like right now, on my side, we are still on Red Flag warning due to the very drying strong winds and our temps here inland still swings high at mid day. So at most I do twice a week thorough watering, it is just so dry here.

We got varying microclimates so it all depends on how your ambient conditions go.

Overnight temps are getting closer to low 50s. During the day this week, it's been foggy and overcast most of the day, in the 60s. I've been supplementing the lack of sunshine with a grow light.

Just noticed this today...what does this mean?

Update - there's a lot more sunshine this week but the plumeria dropped two unopened buds in the last 24 hours Does this mean I'm not likely to get any blooms after all?

Probably...it is Fall, so it is gradually getting ready to sleep. There may be sunshine, but intensity is getting weaker and shorter. Plus overnight temps are getting cooler too.

I have one that has one bud blooming, and 2 more forming. It's in the house in front of a very bright west window.

I moved mine to the front stoop where there's usually about 7 hours worth of sunlight. Crossing fingers. My hydrangeas and petunias still have new flower buds and blooms this late so maybe I will still get lucky with the plumeria. Come on blooms😃

Mary, you are in a fine area to bloom your plumeria now. I love your area. I used to visit there a lot.

I do hope that you get some blooms this year! You are doing the right thing keeping it in your sunniest spot. I am south of you in Redondo Beach and I have blooms trying to push thru as the leaves are turning yellow and dropping. Just cross your fingers and enjoy what you get! And just an FYI, I find that sometimes flowers that bloom this late can be smaller than the blooms you get in the summer. They are still beautiful! Please do post a photo when you get your blooms!