Dear Laura: I have a friend who lives in Bethesda and is interested to grow plumerias.
She has a big backyard and just bought a couple of plumerias last year when she visited
Calif. She bought a Thorton's Lemon Drop and a Wildfire. I myself have a small collection
of named varieties in Calif. but not experienced enough to give her advice as to when to
fertilize now. Your advice has been very helpful here, I'm thankful for your posts.

We are both seniors and are not good with computers. Would be very happy and grateful
if we could have your email.

Hi Murphy9999,

Just click onto my picture next to my name and it will take you a place to send me a message.. ( look it the upper right hand side of the new screen. Click message and then type in the box.. Hit send..). If that doesn't work well, or you have a hard time. Just respond here and I'll help...

Thank you for your kind comments.. I do appreciated them!!

Take care,

Laura

Hi Laura,

Thank you for your response. We want to learn how to foliar fertilize them? Do we
both spray on the leaves and drench them at the same time. Since we both have a small
collection we want to give them half the recommended dose give them twice a month
during the growing season. Also what fertilizer do you recommend us to buy?
Spray n Grow and Bill's perfect or Grow More? Your flowers are so beautiful and we want
to learn how you grow them in your area.

I am in Southern Calif. and about 6 miles from the ocean so the temperatures there are not
strong enough to make the best of their colors. They are good but not for Embers that
need higher temp.

Thank you.
Minh Chau

Ninh,

Good Evening!!!!!!

murphy9999. Here is my email. Send me a message and we can talk about what is best for you and your friend!!! ;-)

Lmjusa@yahoo.com

Take care,

Laura

Hello Minh,

I take my plants out when the night temps are constantly in the mid to high 40's with no adverse effects.

Laura is the "Root Queen", you are wise to learn anything you can from her!

Thought I'd chip in on the foliar spray. Personally I will foliar & soil drench, & I have good results. When you foliar, it's important to have a surfactant so what your feeding sticks to the leafs. You can buy this from a grow shop, use coconut water, or even dish soap. I tend to make teas of alfalfa meal, guanos, or whatever I have handy at the time. I also use aloe, humid acids, & of course my favorite....compost tea! You can use many other products as I'm sure the "Root Queen" will tell you.

Good luck!

You are to funny Jason... ;-)

Thank you Jason. I will wait for her to give me her advice.
I hope my plumerias will bloom better this year as they didn't perform
well last summer for me. I was told to use the high number P but it
did not seem to help so I would like to try the foliar.

Hi Minh!!

I received your email and I will get back to you of that..

Been down with an awful head and chest cold and it seems to have the best of me...

Jason gives great advise and he and others like foliar feeding . Some like the spray and grow / Bills Perfect Fert. And use Cocowet as a wetting agent.

You will read many discussions on here about fertilizers, believe me.. It can go on and on.. ;-). Everyone has their opinion as to what is best for them and how to apply..

I personally don't use foliar feeding because I have to many and I just don't find the time.. When I watering in the am , I will spray off my trees to get rid of bugs etc.

We have heard now the the higher number " P" isn't good for our trees.. You can do a search about that and why it is a way to make things bloom faster, but really doesn't benefit the tree.

Your friend on the west coast.. If she/ he is by Orange County , there is a place called Orange Country Farm Supply. They can help her with all of her needs. Fertilizers etc. worm castings, fish emulsion etc.

We here on the East coast are limited and some try different types of fertilizers.. Some like what I use .. Others have their opinion. Some use a more even number fertilizer like. 12-12-12 or 14-14-14. Basically the same thing. Or use Osomocote with added nutrients.

I use foliage Pro by Dyna Gro. And its 9-3-6 in its NPK ratio. It has extra micro nutrients too including Calcium and Mg. I will dilute it in the spring and then use it full dose in the summer. It is a liquid Fert and you add it to your watering container. You can control it even if you want to use a little each time you water.

The basics for good overall health is happy roots ( having a good fast draining mix) proper watering ( fertilizing ) and sunshine. Once you have all of these you will see great improvements in the vitality of your trees.

Thank you for the kind email.. I wasn't going to post this long message, but I figured it would be the same info in the email.. So feel free to email me with any questions.. I will be sending another email to you.. Thank you for your trust!!

Take good care,

Laura

Minh- what city are you in. I am in N. Costa Mesa about 5 miles from the ocean and have been growing hundreds of plants since last century. I can probably help you with questions. Laura is a good friend of mine and she has a number of my plants. Chris Roy at Orange County Farm Supply is a great source of info. Also the South Coast Plumeria Society (google the name) meets in Anaheim and is a large group of growers. They also sell plants and have drawings for many cuttings. Bill

Minh.. BIll is a wonderful person and good friend.. He will help you with any of your needs. I have had the opportunity to see his yard and visit several times and I couldn't agree with him as being the perfect person who is in your area that could help you the best.

I have learned a lot from him and I consider him a good friend as well as my mentor!! :-)

Thank you Bill...

Take care Minh and I'll look forward to hearing from you!!!

Laura

Dear Laura and Bill: Thank you so much for your kind email.
Both of us are from the East Coast and one of us has a house in Marina del Rey
and one in Orange County. We would love to grow plumerias and are so happy
to find people like you who are so kind to help us.
We will do the foliar fertlize this Spring and will let you know how they are doing.
We will go to the Orange County Farm to get some supply and will join the
South Coast Plumeria Society this summer.
Hope to have a chance to meet you someday.

Minh

This is weird but is this the Minh Chau that lives near me and to whom I have given plants? If so your Kimi is rooted and ready to pick up. This is Bill who lives near Bear ST.

It's me and it's a surprise!
My friend who recently bought a house in Marina del Rey browsed a lot the internet
about plumerias. She discovered Laura and asked me to write to Laura because
she is shy to write to people she does not know. She wants to learn from people
like you and Laura who are so kind and always ready to help.
Thank you for the Kimi. May I come over to pick it up after April 20 as I am in New York
now.

Minh

Hi Minh and Bill!!

I am just sitting back here in Virginia smiling at this.. What a small world this is and I'm touched that my name has come around in a circle to include this friendship with the two of you...

What a kind comment Minh.. All I can say is that I'm touched....

You are in the right hands with Bill...

Wow!!!

Have a wonderful Easter Weekend!!!

Unbelievable....

Laura

I know this is an old thread, but I have a beautiful variegated Plumeria that has grown to about 4 feet tall. The leaves are gorgeous but it has never bloomed. I winterize it every winter in my basement and it shoots out leaves every spring, but has never flowered. I'm in Tennessee, so I keep it in a pot.

See the Hawaiian Fire post. I just answered there for you!!

laura

Gregg,

I have one in back yard as well. Bloom only once, pick color took three years and it has been growing for last three years. Hoping it will bloom this year.

Hi Laura,

I love reading your post and it has been long time you post it. welcome back.

I think you posted about variegated plumeria that it is hard to flower.

Thank You Kawagoe!! 🌴🙏🌺

I've had this plant for about 15 years and it has never bloomed although it has grown tremendously over the years. It is in a larger pot now, but look at that foliage.