Photos... Ready for water yet?

12 years ago

Howdy!!!

I have had these Plumeria's in the basement under a grow light since about the middle of April. They only got a "touch" of water the day I planted them to dilute and spread the rootone. Has not seen a drop since. Temp in basement can't be more than 75.

It is a hot day today and I thought that since there seems to be no real threat of rain that I would give them a dose of real sun and hotter temps. I would like to leave these outside so they get a chance to be in the summer sun and heat, are they ready to get some water yet? Otherwise they need to go in the cool basement and 150 watt bulb. :c(

One plant has 4 inch leaves, though they are still narrow and folded. One has 1 inch leaves and another perhaps 2 to 2 1/2 leaves.

Here are the photos. I put my hand in the frame for some sort of scale comparision.

4 inch leaf:

2+ inch leaf:

1 inch leaf:

Any or all of these ready to be left out?

Thanks!

Ken

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Comments (7)

stevenwayne
12 years ago
well mine have been out since april and im in zone 6 they are fine as long as they dont go below 55 depending on the variety
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
12 years ago
As long as your night temps are above 55 degrees F, you should be OK to leave them out.

I would start them out in a dappled shade though or maybe only early-day sun, as those tender leaves will fry in full sun, and all that progress will have been lost.

They should make good progress now.
eigdeh
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks!

Reason I have kept them inside was that the recommendation was not to give water till the leaves are 4 inches long. Would the rain water cause rot?

How long should they stay out of direct sun?

Ken
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
12 years ago
They'll acclimate to full sun in a few weeks.

Are you trying to root these? If so, I usually don't water rooting cuttings very much (or allow rain to hit them) until I see roots coming out of the drainage holes. You can water very lightly around the perimeter of the pot. If you have humid weather, you can probably get by with watering less. Judging by the leaves, they may be rooting or they may not. But they do look healthy!
eigdeh
Original Author
12 years ago
Yes Dave, I am trying to root these. I guess I should have mentioned that in my original post. :c(

These have gotten zero water since the day I planted them in the mix. I do not have a place outside that would pretect them from rainfall, so do you suggest I stick them back in the basement till I see roots coming out of the drainage holes? So far no roots.

Ken
tropicalzone7
12 years ago
I do water my rooted cuttings occasionally. They are in a very warm spot so I let them see rain water every now and again, even before the first leaves. Right now both my cuttings are growing. I left one cutting inside for over 2 months, and its growing faster than the one that was outside since the warm weather! Both are doing well though despite the extra water.
I never have a problem with water rotting cuttings on a warm sunny day (but they are in small pots and good draining soil which yours also seem to be in!)
-Alex
PRO
the_first_kms2
12 years ago
They look good to me. Here in SATX i would be giving them little drinks (a spray or two from the hose) 1 - 2 times per week and have them in morning to midday sun.