Keep it Green, by Michael Womack
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Saturday, August 11, 2001

Plumeria can grow outside in pots

Plumeria can grow outside in potsNo matter what language you speak, a flower can say hello and welcome like nothing else. One of the most famous hospitable flowers is the plumeria.
   The name "plumeria" or "frangipani" may go unrecognized, but almost everyone is familiar with it as the Hawaiian lei flower.
   If you've admired these spectacular flowers in the past and wished you could bring a bit of that tropical hospitality home with you, you're in luck. Corpus Christi provides a great environment to grow these tropical treasures outdoors for most of the year, and this weekend is your best opportunity to find the plumeria of your dreams.
   Plant sale today
   The South Texas Plumeria Society is holding its annual plant and seedling sale at Padre Staples Mall Center Court starting at 10 a.m. today. Novice plumeria growers will have the opportunity to learn about these tropical treasures by talking with members of the society while making selections.
   Plumeria are beautiful, aromatic plants in the family Apolynaceae.
   Plumeria are mistakenly thought to be native to Hawaii where their blossoms earned their claim to fame, but they are actually native to the Western Hemisphere Tropics from southern Mexico to northern South America.
   Plumeria are "tropical" plants in the truest sense of the word in that they will not withstand temperatures below 40 F; however, they can be successfully grown in containers on a sunny patio. In the event of extremely cold weather, the pot can easily be moved indoors or into a heated garage until the cold weather passes.
   Some plumeria enthusiasts have successfully planted large plants in their landscapes. Our recent mild winters have helped, but these large plants still run the risk of freezing. Plumeria go dormant each winter. Plants drop their leaves and remain as bare stems until warm weather returns. Potted plumeria need little water and no fertilizer during this time. As plants go dormant, they can be also uprooted and stored "bareroot" over the winter; they will survive just fine if a few precautions are taken. First, carefully remove the soil as you uproot the plant. Place the plants in a frost-free garage or shed, stacked on wood or cardboard. It is important to avoid contact with concrete because lime will damage the roots.
   As temperatures warm up in March, replant your plumeria in a well drained potting mix. A high-phosphorus fertilizer such as 0-20-0 in the spring should produce blooms as early as May. Frequent light applications of fertilizers and lots of sun and moisture should produce blooms May through November.
   The fragrant blooms generally range in size from ¾ to 2 ½ inches across and come in white, pink, yellow, red, orange and salmon shades.
   Plumeria thrive in full sun and will fail to flower in shade. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. Soggy soil conditions must be avoided to prevent root diseases and rots. Good drainage is essential for vigorous growth.
   During intense heat, plants may have to be watered every other day depending on soil conditions and wind. Smaller containers and recently transplanted rooted cuttings or seedlings will need more frequent watering and should be monitored daily.
   Plumeria are available as plants, but can be propagated from seeds, stem cuttings, or air layering. Seedlings may have color variations and will take several years to reach blooming maturity. To ensure flower color, Stem cuttings should be taken at a 45 angle and should be allowed to callus for three to five days before planting in a porous soil mix.
   If you miss today's sale, you can see on of the largest public displays of plumeria at the Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens with over 200 plants and more than 50 species. The Plumeria Society uses the money from today's sale to maintain this exhibit to educate the public on these tropical treasures.
   Michael Womack is a horticulturist with Texas Cooperative Extension. If you have a question, contact Michael Womack at 767-5217 or email wm-womack@tamu.edu.
  
  

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Michael Womack is a horticulturist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Got a question? Michael Womack will answer landscape and gardening questions. Call 886-4648, category 3025 to record your question. Write Keep It Green, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, P.O. Box 9136, Corpus Christi, TX 78469 or email wm-womack@tamu.edu

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