Here are some blooms that I'm currently enjoying.

Tropical Dream:

Cal Sunset:

(This is the first time the CS has bloomed--is that color speckling a color break or a general characteristic? Anyone?...Anyone?)

Finally, Kona Candy, which has been pumping out huge flowers for weeks on end--what an amazing tree:

Peg, I owe you a personal update--sorry, I've been super-busy. I want you to know that I've seen some positive results with the spray you sent. There are many leaves that have a single bite taken out of them, so I think it's clear that the iguanas don't like the taste. YAY! However, when I go back to a plant that the day before they seemed to have left alone due to the bitter spray, I find all the leaves eaten...different iguana? Hungrier than the day before? Who knows? But it's definitely helping...I think I owe you a cutting! :) (But, PS: I will use it up very quickly!)

General update: I've pulled about half the urns--certainly all the ones with inflos--off the dock altogether for the short term. The iguanas never seem to be brave enough to venture closer to the building. (I hope I didn't just jinx myself.)

Happy weekend, all!

Greg

EXACTLY. Perhaps I can try angostura bitters or something.

I'll be in touch with you by email. Thanks again :)

Between this morning and now, I realized that I forgot Sally Moragne! This plant arrived from Hawaii a few months ago with 2 inflos, and although these flowers are tiny and probably not what they'll look like in future seasons, still, this was the first time I've ever managed to hold on to inflos after receiving a plant in the mail...so, I was thrilled...

G

All of your trees look great!!!

I also love the Kona Candy!!!

Interesting break on your California Sunset..reminds me of a good ole Georgia Peach!!! Yum!!!

Sally Moragne.. so delicate and beautiful!!!

Thanks for sharing these beauties!!

Laura

Thai Splash- these blooms are taking FOREVER to open. Actually I don't even think the first pic is finished opening. But this is what we have. I am just now letting it stay outside around the clock, so that probably has altered the quality of the flower. It didn't actually 'splash' but John warned me it isn't hot enough here for it to splash. I hoped, maybe later in summer?

Thai Splash

NOID

Inca Gold (again)

This is what I have to share for now. :)

Wendy

Wendy, Your Thai splash is going to be great when the inflo opens and the IG color is absolutely iridescent. Are you watching the leaves for mites or is that normal coloration for that variety?

Forgive my lateness in acknowledging your kind words--thank you! (And, Stuart, yours on Flickr as well.) As I always say, it deepens my enjoyment and satisfaction to be able to share my blooms with all of you!

In the past week, it's gotten quite hot here in South Florida, and I'm watching the color in my blooms get richer before my eyes. When Kona Candy first started blooming, it had a pink-and-white-confection look to it. But as of today, it looks very different! (Both versions are lovely, though, and I can't recommend this awesome tree highly enough!)

After totally losing my first Haleakala inflo to what I'm guessing was thrips, I was psyched to have a newer inflo develop normally and to see the first beautiful flower open yesterday:

I will DEFINITELY post another photo once this inflo gets going!

Wendy, of course I don't mind! My post es su post :-) Your flowers are great! And, to add to what K was saying: I have had lots of problems with insects on my plumeria--it's a constant battle. I am NO expert on this, but, the insects that do damage are very tiny and hard to spot. They suck the plants' juices from the leaves--and inflos--when the plant parts are also very tiny, so often times, by the time you realize you have an infestation, the damage is done.

K and I recently discussed on another post what happened to my first Haleakala inflo. The flowers were shriveled and tiny, and they only "sorta" opened--like your Thai Splash. It was such a shame! But anyway, my theory is that some species of thrips (some of them suck the juice from flower rather than leaf tissue) got to the buds very early in the inflo's development, and by the time I could see that something had gone wrong, it was too late, sadly.

I now spray down my inflos in all stages of development nearly every day with water to which I've added a few drops of Murphy's oil soap. It seems to have helped.

I of course have no idea if that's the problem with your TS, but, it's another possibility. Good luck!

Greg

How about the scent?

Thanks!

Andrew Scott

It has been above 90 every day now for about a week. Before that, we'd been getting a lot (a LOT) of rain and without the afternoon sun temps had been staying lower. Still in the mid to upper 80s, though.

That said, KC has been blooming for like 5 or 6 weeks now, and to my eye at least, the veining is stil there when the pink tones are lighter--it's just somewhat less pronounced. Here's a shot of the same inflo from the second week of May:

So, judge for yourself, but I think you'd be happy with this tree even in upstate New York. (I went to college in Rochester, btw LOL BRRRRRRRR!!! My hat's off to you for raising plumies up there!)

1-stop has several up for bid right now!

Best,
Greg

Best,
Wendy

I second the oohing and aahing over Kona Candy!

I am still thinking of buying Kona but it wont be for a while..probobly after returning from FL in July.

Thanks for the info!

Andrew

Thanks for the advice!

I know I have been posting a lot of pictures, and I hope everyone doesn't mind- I just get so excited and there's not many people to share these with, so thank you for looking and indulging me in these photos. Again, I truly thank K & Greg for taking the time to educate me as such a simple addition has really made a huge difference in a short time.

Thanks all!
Wendy

Beautiful pics... I agree.. Ohhhh AHhhhhhh! : )

Wendy, Great pics as well! COngratulations on the beautiful blooms. K and Greg give great advice!! : )

Take care everyone!!

Hi Jen..Andrew..!!!

Laura

Mindy

Wendy- My Inca Gold has the exact same leaf discoloration on a couple of leaves. I haven't found any bugs, and chalked it up to sun burn and shock. I'd react that way if I were moved from John's cushy green house at JJ's to the hot and dry front of my house... but I will begin spraying, just in case. Are the new leaves yellowing on yours too, or just the older ones?

Rachel

Mindy - it's so worth the wait. My first plumeria took 2 years before I got flowers. I was consumed with my plant when I first suspected it was developing an inflo. It seemed like it took forever before the first flower opened.

And as for me, I love seeing all of the enthusiasm on this forum these days for what we all know is the planet's premier flower! There are so many threads that I can't seem to get to them all--it's great to see.

Andrew: you're welcome! Anytime--enjoy Florida when you get down here. The rain has disappeared recently so maybe you'll have sunshine.

Wendy: I'm so glad the suggestion has helped. Your Thai Splash and noID are both gorgeous! (And no worries about the multiple pics...I have been guilty of the same LOL it's just hard not to get excited, I understand completely!)

Jen: thanks for noting my question regarding Cal Sun. I hope YOU had a great trip to Cali yourself--how neat that you got to go to JJ's...although I'm flabbergasted that you left with nothing?!?! LOL!!! How is that possible? ;-) I still need to read the PSA thread to hear about what you, K, and the other Texans bought at the sale!

Laura: you're so sweet as always! And btw, your latest photo of Apricot is stunning!!! OMG so pretty! My list just got longer, I think LOL

Also, welcome to all the newcomers. I have another new photo to share, of Divine. Such a fab plumie! I can't get over the depth of color this year.

Greg

Thanks for your kind comments! I appreciate them.

Peg, once your Divine starts blooming, it won't stop. I had some "extra" Divines that I have given away, one to a friend here in South FL that has better sun exposure than I...and for over a year now, his Divine has not been without flowers. Not kidding at all--the tree is unreal.

Greg

Thai Splash- we've had very hot days, so the color is intense!

Both tips blooming in glory! Some quite old...

Penang Peach, newly rooted cutting:

MPG mystery cutting that rooted and has been such a gift giver:

Fell in love with this beautiful tree at JJ's, and it has an inflo on just about every tip, all close to erupting any day. Pardon the darkness, I took these this evening:

And they look like this up close:

Happy Me!
Wendy

Love the 2nd to the last pics of that huge tree..

WOW!!

Great job, as always!!! : )

Laura

No Clue, I don't know what it is nor did JJ. I spotted it against the greenhouse at the top of the hill, the one with the DR's inside... it was such a lovely tree J and I tucked it into my 4 door sedan (moving the babies car seat and all) and home it came.

Peg, it has 8 inflos on it I cannot even imagine what beauty it holds once it opens! I get SO excited when I think about it!

Laura, thank you as always for your sound encouragement!! Since things have heated up around here I am noticing many of my trees with leaves going yellow and I am starting to think I am doing something very wrong. You always make me feel better, although something really is up with those trees. I'll go get a better pic of that tree in the sun to post.

Wendy