John

I also have some grow lights for my papaya seeds Im trying to germinate. The max temp was 96F (I hope that wasnt too hot). They are very good at keeping plants warm though!

Good luck!

I use Forbid and Floramite miticides and both work very well. You only have to spray one surface of the foliage and both contain ovacides so reapplication isn't necessary to kill the eggs. As Dave mentioned both are very expensive but you use very little product per application. Sometimes there's co-ops on DG and you can split a bottle between several people. You might also be able to find smaller amounts on Ebay but I'm not sure that I'd go that route because you might not be getting the real product.

Are some folks just doing this because they like to keep them in a constant state of active growth?

In other words, what is the reason why some are so determined to keep them in a state of extreme growth, when by nature, they like a period of slower growth all over the world??

Do they require a dormancy period, or a rest period?

Thankyou

I do not believe plumerias go dormant everywhere in the world...in tropical, year-round-moist climates like Thailand and near equatorial regions, I would imagine they remain in at least some stage of growth. As I mentioned before, I had mine grow and bloom all winter under lights set at around 12 hours. If they go dormant it might be for weeks rather than months. They don't 'require' a rest period, but in climates that have dry seasons, cool seasons and/or short days, they are equipped to go dormant and survive just fine.

I didnt cut off the inflo. though (only had about 5 buds left anyway) just to see if it still manages to bloom.

Good luck everyone!

It must be hard for a few here to decide whether to keep growing them all winter, or just chop of the leaves off and stick them away...It can be quite a challange trying to decide every year..

When it comes to me, I want to keep them in leaf so bad,they are so beautiful, so full and green, but being where I am, it is a choice between constantly battling spidermites which could take over my whole plant room because of these magnets, or just sticking them away and not have worry the whole winter.

I guess the sticking them away always wins out with me..:-(

If it wern't for possible mites, and my growing area, I would most certainly do as many have chosen here to do, to keep them in an active state of leaf growth..

Good luck everyone and happy growing!!

Mike

In their dungeon till March...

Happy sucess with of all yours everyone this winter..:-)

I need them to go dormant because I don't have the space to overwinter. I notice yours are making leaves again. Are you keeping lights on them?

Jane

I think I did cut them early come to think of it, but I wasn't about to find room for so many of them in my house..lol

The only sunny windows in my home are loaded with plants that can't throw into the darkness...That is why I have no problem with plumeria or clivias....I can just stick them somewhere, where nothing else would exist, and whalla, they grow into beautiful plants just as soon as I decide when to pull them from the dungeon, or provide more light...:-)

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the weather in NY a tad bit warmer than here in Mass? I may be under estimating my growing zone....Hummm

Karyn1,

Thankyou for the compliment..;-)

I have grown several with flowers, givin the same treatment as my plumies...Therefore, they make great bed partners....lol

So all in all, I have about 20-30 plants I can stick in almost total darkness, and still have room for my other tropicals throughout my home that require sunny windows..I love these plants!

Jane,

I give them all about 4 hours of flourescent lighting, to keep them in a semi-dormant kind of stage, to encourage them to drink a bit of water and just rest..I will increase light starting at the end of December..I use to start providing more light later than this, like February..But I figure if I start extra early, I might have time for the inflos to bloom this time around by July and not October as this year showed me..Yikes.
Remember the God awful cloudy summer we had?...Arg
I still have a white one flowering in my pop up greenhouse...

Thanks,

I usually wait for the Plumies to drop their leaves and store them in my furnace area. It is warm and dry. I bring them up in March and put them in a chilly sunroom. This year was unusual because the weather was cold and rained both June and July. Horrible summer. Inflo's didn't start until Aug.

I'm not putting them outside anymore, its just too cold. I'm not sure what to do with them as they still have many buds.

Jane

Kevin

But, if I use my halide and compact florecents bulbs, whoo, it can go up as much as 30 dollars extra a month..
I have found a way to not have to use them just yet, as I use to start using them by the time October started..

Mike

You can get them at the Lowes of Home Depots we site..It is the best thing I could of ever done to my plants as suggested my one of the nicest and most knowledgable members here, Bill!!

Than God for a member like that..Thanks Bill!!;'-)

THanks,

It always smells so tropical in there....I LOVE it!

I love spraying the hose all over evrything, including the plants...

I use a radiator heater for the evenings an that keeps the temps up to about 60 by mornings...When the temps are above 30 at night. When below 30 at night, I use two of them..The temps are still kept up to the 60's by morning.

I think I figured out how to keep the temps satble..lol

Karyn1, WOWOW I wish I had your space..lol

Newgen.

They come with tie down stakes and ropes..They hold great. I never had to use them because where I keep my pop up is protected from the winds anyway..
Up against my home facing the full south sun..:-)
It has withstand 75 mile an hours winds, thunderstorms, and cold fronts with huge wind gust with no problem..

Thankks,

In order for plumies to perform their best, fully leaf out, and flower, you need at least 14 or more hours of direct "intense" sunlight and hot temps..

In fact I frequent a nursery, and just last week, yes, with our weather and lack of sun, I saw all their plumies fully leafed out, but no flowers.. I will post a pic this weekend..So it can be possible, probably by luck though. They had just the right conditions. Very powerful hot lights on for over 14 hours a day, loads of humidity, and very warm conditions...Their temps in that greenhouse were over 85...It was like being in a HOT tropical enviroment.

It is pretty much very difficult to imitate exact summer conditions which plumies desire and LOVE, unless you have the time, money and know how. This nursery spends thousands to duplicate outdoor summer conditions....

On the other hand, with what you plan to do, they may do well, just don't expect them to please you as much as described up post.. They will grow more than nothing at all though..I would think if they just continue to grow and stay alive, this alone will make you happy till nature does it's miracle again, for free..:-)

Happy growing,

Mike..:-)

Thanks,

Kevin

Good Day!!

Laura in VB

I hope they do, and if they do, please let us know how they did..:-)

Just keep a close eye for mites..I suggest you invest in a good magnifying glass, and closely watch them on a regular basis..Have some insecticidal soap ready at hand just in case... Goodluck;-)

Mike

Kevin

I have access to see pics on my puter here at home, and I can finally see yours..WOW..

Great job!!!!

Mike