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New plumerias in pots and winter coming on...help


 
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PNGento



Joined: 10 Oct 2019
Posts: 1
Location: Salome AZ

PostPosted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 7:49 pm    Post subject: New plumerias in pots and winter coming on...help Reply with quote

I have 6 cuttings I brought back from Hawaii and 3 are leafing out well (put into pots in May). The other 3 haven't leafed out yet, but do have the early unfolded leaves and seem to be staying in that phase right now, perhaps due to shortening days?? But they are not showing any signs of rot or softening). We also just purchased 2 much larger plumerias at Home Depot that are close to 2 feet high and have several branches beginning with nice large full-sized leaves. I'm assuming these 2 likely have a fairly well developed root system...the others probably not yet very extensive.

So, it is now mid-October, so we are coming into AZ winter. I am not sure if they should remain in the pots until spring (so far, none that have started getting leaves, have yet to lose any) since they will be going dormant at some point (but how soon???).

So, my questions: 1) when they lose their leaves and go dormant, will the roots continue to grow? I'd think so. So, should I go ahead and get them in the ground now, even though it may not be ideal? If the roots DO stay growing, at least this way they will be in a better state for summer than I'd think they would be if I held them in pots until spring. We leave for summer in mid-late May, so I'd like them to have a good shot at surviving the first summer. They will be on the same drip system as my citrus, so allowing them to dry between deep waterings. All will be kept mostly dry during dormancy.

2) what about the ones that haven't yet broken out their leaves...to me this means the roots haven't yet really gotten started. Should I go ahead and put them in the final place they will be in the ground to let them do their rooting there, or continue to keep these in pots until hopefully they finally leaf out in spring...and then put them into the ground just before we head out for summer?

Anyway, since winter is approaching and these are anywhere from likely good roots, to marginal roots, to probably little to no roots, what is the best thing I can do to ensure they are in best readiness to survive their first hot AZ summer? I will make sure they are well protected from any significant cold spell this first winter.

TIA
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phoenixtropicals
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Joined: 06 May 2008
Posts: 1207
Location: Mesa Arizona

PostPosted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 4:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I see that you live in Salome AZ. Even though that is the lower desert I assume that it will get colder there than Phoenix at night, mostly because you are out in the open, not in a big city.

It appears that you have invested a lot of money in plumerias. Keep in mind that plumerias get killed right at freezing temperature, 32 degrees. They are much more cold sensitive then citrus. Even in Phoenix I usually recommend that people keep their plumerias in pots. The only way you can keep them in the ground is if you take dramatic steps to protect them when a freeze is possible.

Winter is the biggest killer of plumerias here, not summer, although full sun can be bit hard on them, it doesn't often kill them. What I have seen people do is put them in a big pot in the ground and then dig them up and move them inside for the winter. That way you can water them with your in ground plants in the summer. Of course that is a lot of work.

If you really want to try putting one in the ground, then maybe just try one. That way you lesson your likelyhood of loosing all your plants in one night. Have some thick blankets ready and something to put over your plumeria for those handful of cold nights we get. A big cardboard box with its flaps pinned down by big rocks works (open side to the earth), then with more heavy blankets over the top. Burying your plumeria in a big pile of leaves can also work.

As far as loosing their leaves, it happens pretty late in the winter. Only the rupras (pointed leaves) lose their leaves. The obtusas (rounded leaves) will not.

Good luck. Smile
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phoenixtropicals
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Joined: 06 May 2008
Posts: 1207
Location: Mesa Arizona

PostPosted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 4:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

To answer your other questions. I don't think any of the plant grows when its dormant. They also should be kept really dry while dormant.
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