Yeah, heatstroke.

Anyway, thought I'd share what was going on with my plumies now that it's possible to step outside without blistering.

Here's the Good, my five little Gladys O'Neal seedlings last month:

That's a wee possible Rose Red seedling with them.

And now, only a month later they are trucking along:

Hard to believe those are the same seedlings!

And here's the Bad, very BAD, no good, BAD:

This is exactly why I don't put any expensive plumies in my front yard. Damn deer.

A close up of the break from deer yanking on it for the toxic leaves:

I'm looking at this as an opportunity to try "curing" the cutting end by leaving it dangling, as described in Jim Little's book.

And finally, the Pretty:

I can't believe Thornton's Lemon Drop is STILL blooming! When the weather cools even a bit the blooms get huge, between 3-1/2 and 4".

Check out more Pretty:

Not drooling yet? Try this:

THAT'S what I'm talkin' about! And there are still more buds waiting to open. What a winner!

Jen

Wow! Can't believe how fast your seedlings are growing! Congrats.

Very sorry about the deer. I don't have that problem (just high winds). Must be very frustrating to say the least!

Thorton's Lemon Drop is gorgeous! Wish I could sniff them. Laugh.

-Robert

Those seedlings sure grow fast! So sorry about your broken branch. Hopefully you can get that branch to root and have 2 plants next year!

Your Lemon Drop is also stunning! After seeing this one you bought from the PSA sales, I decided I must have it too! I finally got one sent to me last week from a SCPS member. He let me have it for $25. It's a large plant with 4 very new tips. I hope it'll bloom for me next year.

Kenny

sorry bout your broken one, but hey now you got 2!

Oh yeah I like the lemon drop.

Mike

Love your ETLM!! So gorgeous against that dark green foliage!! I have one(as a generous gift) that I am hoping will bloom next year:)

Thankyou for sharing!

Nicole

Now, on to the Thornton Lemon Drop. VERY NICE! My sister's married name is Thornton, so I have to get one now. LOL! Actually I've been eyeing this one for a long time. But I've already made my one purchase for the season already (yes only one) -- a Veracruz Rose, so no more until I get rid of some others.

the ETLD is so luscious! An absolute knock-out! ...Must...resist...

Thanks for sharing that lovely.

I am so sorry to see your decimated tree. I totally know that feeling that you get in the moment you first see the damaged tree, with the leaves picked off and the limbs dangling...argh! The worst. That could have been an iguana, in fact--that's exactly what they do as well. Biznatches, all dem...

At least it's salvageable...but it does set the tree back, for sure :(

Greg

Lemon drop is gorgeous!

Tally HO!

ETLD is absolutely scrumptious! It's on my list for next year. HIGH up on the list now that you've posted those pics. Very pretty.

I can't believe the growth of your seedlings. Mine... not so much. Seeds don't seem to be my thing. Out of about 30 seeds I have 8 that are growing, all at different rates. Here's a pic of a few of them, 3 from the batch you sent me. Those 2 on the far right were eaten by something and have since died back. :(

Tally sent me 3 seedlings and they didn't travel so well but 2 have recovered nicely, 1 didn't make it.

Greg - If those dang iguanas try and make a comeback, you just call "Mom" and they'll have to deal with me! *tastes like chicken*

EEK, changed my mind. I'm trying to be supportive but I'm an animal lover! LOL

Wow, SOOOO sorry about your broken plumie - it really does just make your heart drop :( Sorry that happened to you.

ETLD just loves the paparazzi, doesn't she? That is one glamorous gal right there! BEAUUUUUUUTIFUL!!!

Our lawn mower broke so we had someone come and do our yard - when they were done the man had his son interpret from Spanish to English for him and he had him ask me if my plumies were for sale!!!!! I was flattered but at the same time I thought GASP! Not my babies!!! LOL! I nicely told him they were too young but I would help him find a great seller where he could get some. Only 1 was even blooming!

Just a simple tip to keep deer away from a taller plant like plumies...

Deer Repellent Packs using genuine granular coyote urine can be hung on outlying plants as a simple solution to keep the deer away. Check them out at: www.DeerRepellentPacks.com

Robert, the only drawback to TLD is that it doesn't smell as strong as I'd like, very lemony but light so far.

Kenny, that's a terrific deal on TLD! If yours blooms you'll have to report back about whether the fragrance is stronger for you in OK. Supposedly it has a strong fragrance, but not for me.

As for the deer, geez, I've tried everything--including cursing that would make a Teamster blush--to no avail. All it does is make my yard smell awful. Yeah, shotgun would be nice. I do like venison. evil laugh.

Dave, only one purchase this year? You have incredible self-control! Greg, you not so much, but we all benefit from your collection via photo!

Mona, I figured Gladys must just make vigorous seedlings so I'm surprised yours are lagging a bit. I know you must use good mix. I also started a few seeds of JJ Pinwheel a friend gave me but they all died. I guess there's just no way of telling some times how they'll do.

Barbra, you are spoiling me! How wonderful of you to think of me with the seedling--are you sure you don't want to see what the blooms look like before you hand it over? Maybe you'll fall in love, LOL!

Lonnie, I know it's a long drive, but you would be welcome to come down for one of our plumeria meetups. You'd love Barbra, K, and Emily, aka Seedling Queen.

Jen

I read an article by Clare Corre and she said that she started hers on papertowels, kept them warm and when they plumped up in a couple of days then she would plant them. Which is what I did.

I did a few in perlite, a few in MG/perlite and a few in gritty mix. Then tried the same procedure yet again a few weeks later. LOL

Come spring I am going to buy some more seeds and give it another try. next time I want to see some root, then transfer them.

I use a bagged sterile potting mix, though I think this time it was leftover (non-sterile) mix from some other seeds.

Why the Pinwheel seeds all died when 5 of 8 Gladys thrived, I don't know. They were prepared exactly the same way and put into the same bin. A couple Pinwheel put out a tap root but never pushed cotyledons.

I went a seed pod hunt (kind of like a low tech ultrasound) and found multiple pods on Generic Pink, Saraih's Curly Pink, Celadine, Pinwheel white, No ID White, and Dwarf Singapore Pink so far.

I cant believe what those darn deer did to your tree.

You have tried so hard to keep them protected and those hungry guys won't leave them alone.

So sorry to see that one broken in half.. It makes me sick..

Your seedlings look great!

Good luck with them and im sure you will haave them 2 feet tall in no time!! : )

They so so well for you... I think you are a seed queen!!

Hope all is well..

Laura

I'll definately be down for the first sale this year!!
Lonnie

k - I would be glad to take you up on that offer come spring.

Lynn, I find seeds so much easier than rooting. They're very satisfying when they germinate and take off.

K, I can't believe I'm saying this: Could you hold just a few of the DSP seeds for me? I'm down to only two dozen seedlings now and am feeling under-worked, lol!

Lonnie, you better get down here for the next spring sale! You're also welcome to come for one of our hobby meetings.

I actually wore a long sleeve shirt--burnt orange, of course--to the store last night. Got down below 70 here. Brr.

Too funny about the outdoor heaters being on already! I saw people in jackets earlier this week, it`s in the upper 80`s for crying out loud!

Tally HO!

Thank you for thinking of me. I'll look for it at the store and report back if it works.

I've tried so many different stinky and/or gross deer repellents now it's just getting silly. Now I don't want to be in my yard, LOL! I heard a respected landscape designer on the radio say that my neighborhood had the worst deer infestation she'd ever seen in all her years working around here. I should mention that when I try to sell this house. (To move to another house with fewer deer, hehe.)