those are some nice ones. Dont take my advice as gold because I have only overwintered mine once. One I put in the greenhouse and it just sat there happy as could be. The other I put in my office at work and it just sat there happy as could be. The one in the office got light only from the overhead fluorescent lights and gave it a drink once a month. It dropped maybe 10 leafs. I was amazed it didnt loose them all. They are pretty tough plants I guess.

Mike

HI Fred!!!

Nice trees!!!

I usually leaves the leaves on the DR's until they shed naturally and it will happen. A few will keep their leaves, but most will drop. Don't be alarmed tho.. I keep mine under the windows and give them as much light as possible once I bring them in . They seem to do well In the winter inside and I would try and not worry when they shed their leaves, this is normal for this variety.

Keep the same practices for the large trees verses the smaller ones with light. The only difference is watering in the winter.. The size of the container reflects on the amount water. ( very limited and once a month in my fast draining mix). See below..

I water once a month and it is determined on the container size as well as the type of mix. My trees are in the Gritty. Therefore, i don't t worry about perched water and or root rot, so I give them a little drink once a month. Again, depending on the size of the container. They like it because they still have active / live roots. Even trees in the wild that go dormant can benefit from A drink once and a while...mother nature does this everytime it rains! ;-) for a one gallon cont. I would give a cup around the whole surface area.. Larger trees a little more. The smaller trees receive about 1/2 cup or less once a month.

Some don't water at all and have no problems. But for people that have a shorter dormancy period, I can under stand how they limit water. But...If you have a long dormancy period like me and others that don't live In a warm area ex...Cali. Florida. Texas. We Have to be careful of our cold winters. If you don't give some water to our Plumeria and DR during these long rest periods they will show by wrinkled stems and the DR getting soft and collapsing . You just have to get a good feel as to how much water to give.. If unsure, give 1/4 around the rim of Plumerias once a month and make sure the water drains. ( might not with that little water..). The DRs too. I know mine might look all bare without the leaves and especially on the DR when they all drop theirs, but I know the stems are solid and that they are alive.

Then in the spring.. You will notice on your DR' s how quickly they will bud and start the whole beautiful process all over again!!! This is the time I like to trim my DRs.

These are my suggestions.. You can read so many different ways to bring in for the winter. but this is mine!!! Great trees,, WHOOOO HOO

They are easy to deal with.. Forget them.. Check every few weeks.

You might give them the spring clean up with a new haircut I. The early spring.. They will really thank you for this. Just don' t forget to seal the fresh cut with waterproof wood glue ( Elmer's). This help keep the mother trees exposed form Mold , rot etc

Good luck.

I love the look of them now.. Awesome!!!

Take care,

Laura

Thanks Mike.

Thanks Laura. As usual you always go above and beyond. Your the best.

Fred

The only thing that I would add, is if you are going to store them in your garage, do not put the desert roses or plumeria on the concrete, put them on top of cardboard, or rubber mats. They will freeze if they are sitting on the cold concrete. I put mine on the blue rubber squares that they have in the hull of boats, they look like your putting a puzzle together. I bring my DR in after Thanksgiving, and take them back outside in March. I probably water once a month during this time, just about 1/2 cup of warm water. All their leaves fall off. I have bare root stored my DR, but lost two, it was my fault. I washed off their roots, then wrapped them in newspaper. I should have let them dry out before I wrapped and taped them up. Its just easier to bring in the pots with the DR and stick them in the carport or garage. Barbra

Thanks Barbra. Advice taken.

you guys answered my questions. This is my first year with DR seedlings. Didn't know if they lost leaves too.

Mindy