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Is it time to repot these?
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Posted by kandhi z7VA (My Page) on Mon, Feb 8, 10 at 13:16
| I have these 3-4ft plumeria's in 1gallon container. Is it time to repot these if so what size containers should I use? I will not be repotting them right away since it is 3ft snow outside as you can see in the pics we have snow outside. My deck is filled with snow. My plan is to repot it sometime in April,does it sound right? it is also rootbound I guess, do I need to loosen up the roots before repot? I have only these 2 and do not want to make any mistakes with repotting so that I lose them.
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| I would go to 7 gallon or at least 5 gallon pots. I loosen up roots and score some with a razor before re-potting. I use B-1 or Superthrive and water to reduce shock. When you do not have leaves, the shock is much less, which is why I transplant in February-March before the new leaves show. In your weather, you probably do not see leaves as early so you can judge accordingly. Bill |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| Bill, thanks for your advice. I do see some leaves growing, but with temp in 20s outside I think I will wait until March or so to move then into 7gallon one for once. |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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I repotted this back in Feb and now it is outside with healthy leaves but it is aborting the buds, not sure why? is this due to inconsistent weather pattern? it has been raining heavily for past few days and in 90degrees on few days.
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RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| Hopefully, once the plant really gets going and roots fill the pot, the bud aborting will stop. Eventually, you may find your plant does better if you can keep the soil in the pot cooler by placing the pot inside another (clay?) pot (shades the pot), or by sinking the pot partially in the ground. Sinking the pot gives a benefit of allowing the roots to grow out into the soil. |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| Dave, thanks for your response. I am not for sinking the pot partially in ground, lifting it and taking it back indoors during early winter would require lot of effort from my side. Due to health issue I would not prefer that. I do get 7am - 5pm sun on my deck since it is south facing, how about if I move the plants to east side with 4-6hr sun, will that exposure still harm the roots? I will check into buying clay pots to place the plant with planter inside, should I fill the clay pot partially with soil to keep the roots cool? |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| Then, I'd probably just slide the pots into larger ones so you have a double wall. This will help shade the inner pot a bit. A small layer of soil or mulch between the pots could provide added insulation. Good idea to tie the stems to your deck as the winds will knock them over. They get so top-heavy! |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| Hello Kandhi, It's nice to see another Virginian on the forum!!!
Your tree looks so healthy on your beautiful deck...where in Virginia do you live? I live here on the southside of Va. (Va. Beach) Our weather here has finally stayed on the warm side without rain for the last week or so...My Plumerias are all enjoying this warm weather as well as my cuttings!!! : ) Hello Dave in No. VA!!! I have a question for you...You had mentioned about keeping the pots cooler..Do you sink all of your pots? I guess that I'm a little confused about keeping them in the direct heat. I thought that is why we always use black pots. Could I be hurting the roots of my older trees by keeping them in the direct heat? (I keep some on my concrete by the pool) They all seem to love the heat...but could they thrive better if I Keep them off of the hot concrete? (and the deck?) Thanks for any info!! Laura in VB |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| Laura, I have some in pots just sitting on the deck. And some I sink in the ground part-way and then push mulch up around the pot the rest of the way. I you think about it, when potted plumerias get more rootbound, many of the roots grow near the plastic, circling the perimeter of the pot. The soil near the plastic can get really hot in the sun -- maybe above 120 degrees? This can damage roots and cause plant stress. I think I read somewhere that ideal soil temperature for plumeria is around 80 to 85 degrees. Anyway, sinking the pots in garden soil, or 'double-potting' them can reduce the soil temperature to the ideal. Another reason for sinking the pots in the garden soil is so roots can grow out the drainage holes. This allows for an expanded root system which can pull up more moisture and nutrients for the plant than if it were just growing in the pot (especially for rootbound plants). Plants that I've sunk into the soil have out-performed ones that were just in pots. However, it doesn't help to sink them too early in the season when the ground temps are too cold! Now is a great time though. |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| Thanks Dave!!! I will double up on my older trees and I may even try to sink some of my pots...thank you for the info!!! Hope is well with you up in No Va!!! Laura in VB |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| Dave, I will use double pots technique to see how the plants do. Lauren, I live in northern Virginia closer to Washington DC. I have only 3 plumeria's and they are growing good, once they become top heavy it is hard to manange them taking in and out of home for me. |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| I like the idea of double potting. Having a couple of 7" tall seedlings growing in 3" black containers the soil mix gets pretty warm on hot days. Thanks for the advice Dave |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| Wow.. Now I am very, very afraid. I have 5 new cuttings that I just planted today in cactus mix...It's 8pm now and 104 degrees according to WeatherBug. I have the cuttings in an area of my patio with morning sun (approx 4 hours) and then the shade comes on. Should I bring these plants indoors and just keep them by a sunny window? I had been told that Plumeria love the heat, and the seller never questioned them being shipped to my area..? Please advise before I kill my new babies! |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| Hey jenijaz, Don't be afraid...cuttings need the heat to produce new root growth (especially bottom heat). So don't worry!!! Leave your new cuttings in the heat and give them plenty of sun. Once they produce leaves (4 inches) or longer then water them as you would (then let them dry out completly before you water again)
We were talking about older trees that have been in the pots and have older root systems that may not like the heat as the roots are more exposed to the outer rim of the plastic pots...just remember to leave the new cuttings alone for about 6 weeks or longer to give them a good chance to root properly ( limit the water that they receive as well while trying to root!!) No peeking or poking!! LOL!!! Good Luck and relax...they will love you climate!!! Laura in VB |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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- Posted by newgen 9 California (My Page) on
Sun, Jun 20, 10 at 3:20
| Another idea for those who don't want to "plunge" the pots into the ground: make a planter out of woods, place the pots inside, fill in the space between pots with soil. The planter should be a few inches wider than the diameter of the pots to allow room for the additional soil. A rectangular planter with a few pots of plumerias sitting inside can look very nice. |
RE: Is it time to repot these?
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| Hey Newgen, Thanks for the wood planter idea!!! I shall give it a try!!! Thanks!!! Laura in VB |
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