Hi Andi, sounds like you have quite a collection there! I can't speak to your storage in pots because I haven't done that myself (yet). I haven't had any problems with bare root storage though. My largest plants are around 5ft tall and they wintered bare root just fine last year and I noticed no die off of the root ball. I set them out in the spring and they have grown all summer just fine.

I do plan to try some storage in pots this winter however, so I am also interested to see what some of our experts here have to say about this.

Kevin

I'm new to storing in the winter so I have a question for the experts. What exactly does "bare rooting" mean?

Thanks,
Belkys

Bare rooting is the removal from the pot and most of the medium is brushed off. These are then re potted in the spring.
Andi

Andi,

Thanks for the response to the "bare rooting" question. If I do this, do I need to protect the roots in any way.

Is there an advantage to this?

Thanks,
Belkys

I have several in 10-25 gallon pots but I've never stored them bare root. It's bad enough dragging the damn pots in for the winter. I couldn't imagine having to remove them from the pots too. Not only do I stop feeding them about a month before they come in, I also stop watering and protect them the best I can from the rain so the soil is dry when they come in.
Karyn

My problem is one of space. The plumie/tropical patch has grown quite large and there is no greenhouse. I presently have 18 large Plumeria trees in 15 to 30 gallon pots. These range in height from 4ft to 7ft, and up to 6ft wide. Along with these I have 24 citrus trees in 5 gallon pots, 4 Dwarf Cavendish banana trees, 2 desert rose, 16 orchids, 2 4ft tropical hibiscus, 6 1ft tropical hibiscus, 80 Plumeria seedlings in 1 gallon pots, and 1 sago palm that must be wintered indoors. My plants take up 2 bedrooms and part of the living room. I did not bare root them last winter and lost 2. 1 due to a beetle of some sort that laid its eggs inside the stem, and the other to a fungal attack. The plant made it through the winter just fine, even started growing new leaves, then it died for no apparent reason. Within a couple days it was rotted and no amount of cutting back could save it. I came to the conclusion that the fungus was in the soil and dormant throughout the winter. When the warm temps returned it was able to flourish.

Hey garden dragon! SO...I'm in Southeast Missouri. I'd but some that from ya! Or at least help you store it!

Some info that might be helpful about winter storage. Alot of other info here too. Hope this helps. Oops would've been nice to put the website there for you...LOL...old brain cells.

Diane

http://www.kimisplumeria.com/Faq1.htm

What are these mats I keep hearing about. This will be my first winter of storing my plumeria plants. Chris

Hi Chris,

Seedling mats are waterproof mats designed to provide bottom heat for cuttings or seedlings. They make it possible to start or maintain plants indoors and/or get an early start on spring planting. They are available in sizes from small to large. Karyn has a lot of experience with them and can give you more details. I will be buying several large ones to provide heat for a temporary greenhouse I will be setting up in a semi-enclosed patio.

Philip

Chris you have the choice of seed mats or cables. We use cables which are buried under the soil of the tables in the greenhouse. They are much less expensive but only good for covering a large area and need to be buried in sand or soil. In my house I use seed mats which Philip described. You can find them in hydroponics stores, Ebay and greenhouse supply stores. Most people use the 1 flat size which run about $20. I have a few of those and I also have a 10 flat mat. They are fairly expensive but are more economical if you have a number of plants/seeds plus you don't want loads of electrical cords running all over the place.
Karyn