I was a little scared seeing that cutting right in front of the open recycle bin!! LOL

I only have one tree big enough to take that size cutting from! How old is your JL Metallica?

Goodness Gracious, James, why did you want to chop up your Metallica? lol Sends shivers up my spine! 4' with 8 tips?? Wow!

Hey Happy Mem Day Laura.
Saw your pic of your flagstone, looks gorge.
Hope you were able to rest and get some good plumie time in ...lol.
Also sure as your in the South that you had BBQ today ;P
I am paving over the lawn area of the Apts because of water restrictions, so now there is double the hard surface area to put pots on lol. So I am going to put large ceramic pots like Bills, so the apartment tenants will stop complaining about the front of the apt looking like a nursery.

Hey Dgirl,
Hope your M Day went well? I laughed when I read your comment about the Green can. I was defoliating the cutting and it was more convenient to do it over the green bin.
Why would the cutting scare you, was it that ugly..lol?
I was the 2nd or 3rd person to get their JL Metallica from Hawaiisandy the year it was released and sold on Ebay only. I think I've had it for 10 or 11 yrs this year. Usually I take 2 or 3 large cuttings from it every year, this year I was going to chop it apart and have a center cut and a lot of huge cuttings, but decided to do a heavier shaping/trimming instead. After I took the 5 cuttings the tree is smaller and the shape is better.

Happy M Day :)

Happy M Day Moonie :)
If you look @ the pic by the Green Bin the largest branch to the right actually has 3 small tips as it bloomed last season, and you can see the other 5 tips to the left side of the cutting.
The Metallica tree was kind of lopsided and I didnt like the old cuts where I took cuttings from, so thought that Id start over until I saw all the inflos on the other branches. I decided to just really shape up the tree. When the large cutting roots I am thinking of getting 2 huge like 40gal plus opalescent post, the type you see in Thailand and put a metallica plant on each side of my Garage, dont know how it will look might need a 3rd one as its a 5 car garage, maybe too much space in between.

Ok well hoping your M day was relaxing, filling, memorable :)
Cheers

All Happiness to you, too, James! :)
You know, I tend to forget that people have trees that are so large they really have to worry about shaping them. lol Right now that's something I can only dream about. The closest I have to anything like that is a plain ole white noid that stands about 10 ft. but only has 9 tips. I told my husband that I cannot bare to prune it so looks like it will have to be tilted somewhat to the side to fit in the house next winter. This past year it overwintered in the living room where the ceiling is higher. James, yes, you'll need a 3rd one for in front of the garage. That is too much distance for only 2 plants. And, we all know trees look better in groups of 3 or 5 anyway. :)

Happy shopping before the potting!

LOL - I had the same reaction as Daogirl. That first picture looks like you were pointing the cutting to go into the green bin!

Sounds like you had a great weekend working on your plumies. I had a long honey-do list to whittle down. Just got to spend some time looking at them today and it was just a nice and relaxing standing in the greenhouse after not seeing them all weekend.

Hey Tom :)
Hope even with your Honey Do List aka Happy Wife Happy Life list, that you all had a gr8 M Day.
Actually besides moving I got a 30 day notice from a tenant on the 21st, so I was actually @ the Apartments aka Patch to get my Slumlord list of anti slumming to do. I think I may have to postpone and go up to NYC the first week of July, as I have to be around so I can deal with the contractors for the apartment. So I guess you have your Honey Do list and I have my varied lists..lol. Tom, Ill trade lists, I am really good at getting trades people to come right away..lol.

Cheers

James - I would only be so lucky to trade with you :). I got the list down and she's already planning my next chores! well, if she can add to the list, I can add to MY list too :). Have to pick out an extra nice plant next time.

I never had the talent to get into the rental business. I was always worried about getting a bad apple that wouldn't pay and would leave or damage the property or some such. Had some horror stories from friends. I had a house sit empty for a year until I finally decided to sell it because I couldn't figure out how to get past that worry. turned out ok as the market turned up in that year but I kick myself every now and then as that's a lot of plumies I missed out on :).

Hey Tom :)

Actually I just mentioned to Laura I am ready to get rid of all my different apartments. I have 1 property mgr that takes care of all the units (my 2nd cousin), but she really does not do what she is suppose to, never do business with a relative. My father actually gifted me a bunch of his Apartments he had purchased back in the 70's to the late 70's. I inherited them in 1990. Since the different Apartments (the largest complex only has 12 units) aren't really where I derive my annual income, I try not to raise rents so I am lucky that tenants stay forever..one tenant has been in his unit for 29yrs. Usually I only get turn overs once every 10 yrs or so on the average (Tenant may only get a rent increase (5% max) maybe every 5yrs or so .

I have a masters in Architecture so when a unit does become vacant that has been occupied for 10yrs or more I usually gut it and put the basic apartment grade updates in like solid surface counter tops, wood flooring, flooring tiles, lighting fixtures, electrical, appliances, plumbing fittings, etc. So you can't really think too much about whats going to happen to the rental, if a tenant is problematic (causing plumbing issues, losing remotes, keys, late rent, bounced cks, etc )I will raise their rent annually up to 8%, hoping they will vacate. So basically my motto is if you don't bother me with issues (which I will get fixed the same day or next), I won't raise your rent. So if a tenant stays for 10yrs plus, you made enough money to gut the unit if needed and you still make a high percentage of profit. I have had my handful of bad tenants, not so much stiffing me on rent, usually its damaging the unit (punched holes in walls, weird steam damage in bathrooms or kitchen, long term tenants who didnt work and were chain smokers. Example of the unit the chain smoker lived in for 21 yrs before he moved back to Korea 5 years ago:

Tar coating everything from smoking.

Before and after:

After:

I've only ever had 3 units that were trashed, so it's a single digit percentile, so you should not really worry. I installed solid Mahogany doors in all the units of this complex for consistency. I did not take completed pics of this unit as I was 98% finished, just need the tube surround tiled, but since I moved more of my plumies onto the back patio of this unit I have had it vacant for 5 yrs, going on 6 yrs this August.

I also rented out my house that I am moving into next week, only had painters come in and redo my kitchen and some of the bathrooms, and I am going to rent out the house I am in now as soon as I finish painting and tweeking a few things after I move out from here.

So I would gladly trade to do lists with you. You can work on the upcoming vacant apartment to do list, my new house and move to do list, old house to do list..lol and my other to do lists

Tom Investment properties can be extra income and a long term investment for you, don't be scared of damage as everything can be fixed, you just need the right trades people and need to be organized.
With everything going on I really would like to sell the apartments, but probably won't.

Phew...that was drawn out and non plumie related..lol

Cheers

Beautiful before and after pictures!!!!

Ok.. I'm tired. Lol. That's a lot of work, James.

Good luck on the move and please be careful...

You need a rest. I know, " rest?" :-) " what is that..?"

You have done a great job...

Laura

James - Wow. That looks great! the renters are lucky to have those upgrades and remodels that you're putting in. I'm still working on my house - seems like a never-ending cycle: I finish one room and its time to update another.

Tom,

Thanks!! Like I stated those pics were from 5 yrs ago and I did not totally complete it so its been empty for the 5 yrs..lol

You need to find yourself some trades people that can do some of the work for you. Hire the trades people for electrical, plumbing, you can try tiling..not that hard but messy and you need a good eye. If you and your wife can paint then that might be a weekend project for the both of you, or better yet throw a painting party where people come to paint and you supply the food and drinks. I do not invest sweat equity on any of my projects only the time, I just basically do the selecting and shopping, the trades do the rest of it. I have 4 different handy men, 3 different licensed electrician and 3 licensed plumbers, trades people can be flaky, if they get a bigger job they will disappear for a while so u need back up. I can usually get an apartment gutted and redone in about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks once I select and preorder, the trades people work quickly. I do not use the trades people that work on my apartments for my house as there is a huge difference in quality and craftsmanship , plus the materials I use in my house are much more expensive than for the apartments which is builders grade that I have really inexpensive resources for.

Ill be waiting for my painting party invite..lol

Cheers

murphy9999
Hi James
I saw a picture of a Boston terrier. Is he your pet? I love BT. My son had one but she
died 2 years ago. We miss her a lot.
I am also a plumeria addict but has only a small collection. Let me know when you come
to New York as I would like to meet you and invite you over. I am a New Yorker for more
than 50 years and in Costa Mesa for 5 years now.

Best

Murphy,
Sorry about your Boston, it's like losing a family member when they are gone.

Oh the picture I have up of my Chloe, shes a sweetie. In 2010, I got her when she was 12 weeks old from a breeder in Paso Robles, who was friends and business partners with the original breeder in Oregon (Sunglo) who passed. When the Sunglo breeder passed, my breeder received a lot of the Sunglo Bostons. The grandfather of my Chloe won best of breed @ the Westminster Dog Show in 2008. Bostons have sweet personalities and are smart, very trainable.

Are you living between NYC and Costa Mesa (luv South Coast Plaza and of course Mr Bill lives near by.)? Are you in in So Cal now or NYC, I am postponing my trip till after 4th of July due to my move and issues with the apartments. Where in NYC are you? Our apartment's on Park/66th? If your in NYC when I am we should meet up for sure, but sorry will not have any plumies with me there..lol. Maybe we can go check out the Homedepots and Lowes for JJ's plumies (Jus Kidding).

Cheers

Chloe is a beautiful name. There is a French designer by the name Chloe and also a perfume. I would like to meet Chloe some day. I am in New York now but will be in Costa Mesa June 20. I live on Riverside Dr. at 116st. near Columbia University. Yes I know Bill well. He is a very generous gentleman. He gave me a lot of advice on plumeria culture and also gave me his plants. My son would love to have another Boston Terrier some day and will ask for your advice. BT are so sweet. We have a lot of photos of her around our apt. in NY and we keep her ashes in a box. Hope we will meet in South Coast Plaza my favorite Shopping Mall.

Best,

Murphy,
Actually "Chloe" was named after the French Designer/perfume..lol Someone had the crust to ask me if I named her after Khloe Kardashian..lol If your looking for BT's and your in So Cal, Elizabeth Ferris (back in 2010 she was charging $3500.00 a puppy) is who I got my puppy from and would hands down get another one from. I am not sure if she's still breeding and showing anymore, but her set up was different. I am a bit OCD and even after a hot 5 1/2hr drive I would not sit anywhere. I am not sure if the building I was in was her house or part of her breeding set up. Elizabeth was in a very rural area, with only unpaved dirt roads (my poor car was trashed) on acreage, and I believe there was another house on the lot next to the bldg we were in.

Ok I know your area of NYC, I had couple of friends who went to Columbia, only went there a few times back in the day to visit, loved the black wrought Iron gates with the gold detailing. So your in the Morningside Heights area?
I'll still be in LA when you arrive so maybe we can all meet up? I can ask Bill if he's available and not sure if Jen from Tx will still be around then? I love Charlie Palmers Restaurant in Bloomingdales, we can meet there or one of the other restaurants in So Coast Plaza. I know Bill has a few fav restaurants near him also.
If you come up to the LA area we can meet for a bite to eat, I am near UCLA area now, near Sunset, but this week I am moving and will be near north Doheny Dr and Sunset Blvd area, so even later if your in the area let me know.

I will get in touch with you when I get there. I think it's easier for me to meet you in
So Coast Plaza at Charlie Palmers or any other places near by.
Can wait to be in Calif. to play with the plumerias. Can you give me your email or
tel. My tel. in Calif. is 714 - 852-3651.
Best,

M.C.

Please let me know if you are willing to sell 1 or 2 Cuttings..

Thanks Ed

I think you should ask freak 4plumeria. I am not the person who has Metallica cuttings.
Good luck.

Thanks ! I Will..

I thought you did, lol...

Lol James. I didnt expect to read about apartment tenants here but that was quite interesting. Who would've thought smoking for so long will cause tar build up like that!

Imagine that persons lungs

Been forever since I've had time for any plumie forums, and if I owe anyone anything Ill send it out.
Lisa if you still want the DSP, have it rooted..let me know?

Stephen didnt get your info till after I had gone to the patch and haven't had any time since that Friday early afternoon to do anything with plumies there, but will send out the cutting of Lyndie Wyes Sweet Lyndie

Just an update on the 4ft Metallica Cutting I took on May 25th. After I cut it I left it to dry out for couple of days, so I thought, actually ended up being 3 weeks as I was busy. June 15th (3wks) I went back and put the cutting in water. On Jul 2nd, I went and saw that there was popcorn and a slightly swollen bottom, so I put it in a bag to root. Well it's July 24th and I went to the apartments and decided to check on the Metallica bag rooting, well its rooted with some nice roots. From June 15th to July 24th, thats a total of 5 weeks 4 days for some nice roots and leaves. I also had a Thai Domeno branch that a gardening crew I hired broke off and tried to hide it, found it like a month later when it was all wrinkled and soft. Water rooted it then bagged it up, it also has leaves and roots just starting to show.

I haven't watered my patch in 3 months, plants only get watered when it rains(luckily it rained 2days strait last week).

Here are some pics:

JL Metallica:

Currently blooming

Thai Domeno:

I was telling a plumie friend a month or so ago I am thinking about selling off most of my collection as I have had no spare time. Since I do not water them, some are looking bad, thin branches and wrinkly/soft, and some with no leaves, thank god for the 2 days of rain over the last weekend that helped them to recover a bit. I am truly shocked that some still have leaves and are flowering with the abuse and neglect. This shows me how resilient plumies are.

Cheers.