have returned from our first trip to the magnificent Hawaiin islands. I am now a devoted plumeria lover! How do I go about growing them? I have looked through some threads but really need an A-Z of getting started. I live in CT in the middle of the state. Thank you!

Ken, Hetty, Cheryl, Mark and others will most likely chime in but I just want to welcome you.

Do you have plumeria cuttings already that are ready to be planted? What zone is CT? You can update your profile so it is easy for people with the same growing conditions as you to give you plumeria growing tips.

Pictures of your cuttings always help too.

Yep, I agree with, Gigi. You need to update your profile so that (at least) your location shows.

You are starting out the same way I did. I fell in love with plumeria when I first visited Maui. I don't know whether you brought back any cuttings from HA. I brought back three tiny cuttings and 25+ years later, I still have those three original plants.

Laserqueen25

In your zone you will have to supply extra light and heat to get them to bloom. So first you need to decide if you're willing for that commitment. And then I would strongly suggest that you start with an already rooted, ready to bloom plant, purchased preferably in the spring. Meanwhile, be sure to scroll through the pages on our forums for some eye-candy that will keep you dreaming of the islands!!

Good morning & thank you for the wam greeting! I have updated my profile as you suggested. I appreciate your help. Dutchlady1, YES! That beautiful pic is the exact eye candy I am addicted to! I do not have any cuttings...didn't even occur for me to do that. I hadn't even thought it was possible to grow plumeria's in CT.

Hi Laserqueen,

I'm in north central MA and I've got a few cuttings. One of them is even putting out an inflo! I'd suggest a small heating mat (you can get them online at gardening supply stores for seedlings) which will keep the roots nice and warm. It helped me get my plants leafed out more quickly than they would have otherwise. I'll need to get a light too, to help extend the growing season. If you find a good light, let me know, okay?

The T-5HO or T-5H (same fluorescent tube) in a 4 or 6 tube fixture is a really bright light, the brightest lights I have ever had. I have six-tube fixtures and use 4, 6500K and 2, 4000K tubes in each fixture. That gives me a broad growing/flowering spectrum. If you are used to "cool" fluorescent tubes, not "cool" spectrum, but "cool" to the touch, beware. The T-5HO tubes get really hot. I started out at 6", quickly moved them to 12", and finally moved them 18-24" away from the plants. The tubes were actually sun burning the leaves of my orchids. Plumeria can take more light/more heat, but still watch what's going on at the leaf-level if you go with these fixtures.

Thanks, Dr.Dawg. I'll likely get a four foot, four bulb system. That should provide enough light (and a bit of heat, along with my grow mat) to extend the growing season far enough to see some flowers, I think. My Gold OP's inflo is doing well, and one of the blooms especially is nearly an inch long. I can't wait to see it open!

And I just found this on one of my forums and had to share

Laserqueen25 said: I hadn't even thought it was possible to grow plumeria's in CT.

Well - If I can do it in NW Missouri Zone 5 b so can you. I have mine in a black container surrounded by bricks that I spray painted black. It seems to have responded well and I know have ~ 12 leaves.

In Fall (planning now) Dunno whether to make dormant like Ken does or keep under lights in my basement. Did the latter last year and it did lose all its leaves and went somewhat ? dormant.

I just have so much there. Last year brought in a Brugmansia with 22 blooms on October 15 first near frost date. Which it did frost that night.

Have 2 500 Watt metal halide lights with flourescent fixtures as well.

Best of luck Laserqueen.