Hi Bill.. Do you mean Foliage Pro??

I like to use it when mixed into my watering regime . You can use it as a foliar spray, but I find it easy to mix in water and fertilizer this way. Normal ratios in summer, reduced in fall.

Laura

Ha, yes that's it. Since my setup does not allow for a winterizing, as all my plants are flourishing as if it were summer, I suppose I should use the stuff full strength, what do you think? i've got a number of plumeria starting inflows which is an indication to me that nothing has changed from the summer to include lighting and heat. I am even having to water every other day or the plants will suffer. Laura what's your thoughts on this?

Hi Bill

It sounds like you have a great setup for the winter!!

I would reduce the the amount of fertilizer ( probably reduce to 1/4 strength and probably reduce the times that you do fertilize. Many believe they need a break and could continue to grow and become lanky, but I do add a little to my water during the winter months ( trees that are actively growing under lights)

Im out working right now, but I'll be back later to continue.. Just wanted to touch base..

Please remind me.. Do you have them under lights? Heat mats?? Greenhouse??

Thanks Bill

be back later tonight..

Laura

Hi Laura, I feel we shall become good friends as I already felt that way when reviewing the posts. I have everything under lights, @ 2500 watts full spectrum 6500K. I am going to try and post some pictures of what I have today. Don't work too hard.

Oh, and yes, I have 1, 4 foot and 2, 2 foot heat mats.

I would 2nd the recommendation to limit fertilization during winter months even when plants are not fully dormant. My preference and experience is to not fertilize from November to March.

Hi Bill

Most of my trees I really try and encourage them to go dormant with reduce watering in the fall and limit the sunlight as well.. I do stop fertilizing them at this time.

Trees that are growing under lights and are active need the water, but again I will reduce that as well.. I let them dry outa little more even under lights, and I will give them FP once a month at a reduced amount. I will water those trees on a " as needed basis"

Bill it sounds like you have a good handle on growing and watering, just be careful not to over water and to answer the question on " full strength". I would only go that route in the spring thru summer when I take my trees outside and start with the normal watering. Remember to water your trees first and then give them a second watering with the FP. This way the mix with be moist and will hold the nutrients.

They are healthy and happy.. Keep up the great job.. I would just limit.. And when I do fertigate, reduce the amounts.. ( if you wish to do this during the winter!!)

Have a a great day!!

Laura

Bill,

I agree with your light choice. I typically root by putting the container on a sunny spot on the driveway. This only works from march to June. then after that the sun is too intense for the cutting and it looses moisture faster than I am comfortable with.

I suspect the leaves being lost are due to the plants entering hibernation. Are the lowest leaves falling off first?

I would further guess you are no longer "trying to root" but have been successful. Less leaves means they require less water so if these plants are starting to defoliate due to hibernation my recommendation would be to reduce watering to once per month and no fertilizing.

K.

Hi K and thanks for your response. Yes I am still trying to rolot those thirteen cuttings and am not sure what else to do. It must be something I'm not doing as all thirteen cuttings of different varieties are not doing a thing.

Hi Bill!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!!!!

I agree with K that your trees are shedding their leaves due to the hibernation process. Sometimes even under lights they will still shed their leaves because of the natural process even though we try and supplement the natural light and heat. Some varieties are more finicky and will drop leaves and take a break. That's why I really don't try to encourage growth unless I have seedlings ( which I usually do) and it's their first season . So if I have seedlings that I sowed this summer, they will stay actively growing under lights and on heat mats. Some still drop leaves, but they need the extra attention since they are so young.

As far as trying to root cuttings this time of the year... It can be a challenge, but it still can be done. Three weeks isn't long enough at this time of the year to see anything .. On average and during the normal growing season, it can take 8 weeks to grow roots from cuttings. We often say to leave them alone and don't go checking on them. I use plastic cups so I don't go poking around checking on them. Don't give up on trying this time of the year.. Just place them on the heat mat either in clear cups or bag rooting.. ( I prefer clear cups with slits on the bottom) it will take longer because it's winter now and the best time to root is May through September for our area. If I were you.. I take a plastic container ( I use a black dish cleaning plastic container) that I found at restaurant depot. I place my heat mat inside that, place the cups on the mat and then take some pine mulch and add some into the container ( kind of like giving them a blanket to keep the heat in) and water once and leave them be.. It could take 8-10 weeks to see root activity or a few weeks longer at this time of the year. Three weeks in your " root checking" is to early.. So put them back, give them a nice " winter tuck" of mulch and a sip of water and leave them alone ...

In the growing season bottom heat is what is best because sometime they can get sunburned .. So trying over the winter to root can work, but you just have to give them more time.. Bottom heat is what is needed!!!

you trees will give you the clues as to whether they want to continue to grow or they want to rest.. Just follow their lead and it will be much easier on you!!!

I have a few tree that have seedpod and I'm trying to keep them n my great room to see if they will continue to grow. Last year I had a tree keep the pods during the 6 month dormant period...

Yo are doing a great job.. It's the trees trying to tell you what is best!!! Lol... So get those cutting ready to place on mats and remember to leave them be... A spritz of water every few weeks won't hurt...

I hope this helps.

Here s a picture of my rooting bin with the clear cups . I also use styrofoam pieces to keep them secure so they dont move In The container. We try and keep the movement down....

Take care.. Good luck and watch the watering on the other trees.. If you would like, I'll take a few pictures of my trees that I defoliated and are close to the lights.. A few green leave are emerging, but as the winter progresses, they will slow down as well...I keep them ( trees on the dry side and will water a little monthly..)

Laura

Hi Laura, I hope your Thanksgiving day went well. Sadly, I agree with what you are saying, its just that patience is not my best quality. I'll follow your regime. The cuttings are on bottom heat and I'll slightly water them today. My rooted cuttings are doing well and show new leaves. My four non-rooted other cuttings did root and are steadily growing. I have lost some leaves on the established plants, and I cursed them repeatedly for not following my instructions not to lose leaves. This is all new to me as bananas do go through a wintering process, but don't lose their leaves, they just stop producing leaves, although, so far, that has not been happening. I will give my cuttings more time as you stated, however, I will give them a strict talking to and will send them to bad without any dinner. Thanks

Lol... We have all gone through this, Bill!!! Patience is the key when rooting and learning about our beautiful Plumeria!!! You will have great success.. It sounds like you have a great start already!!

A very good friend told me that we have to learn to grow and let them grow on "plant time not people time..." They have their own speed...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.. Thank you!! I hope you and your family did as well..

Have a great weekend!!!

Laura

You are now experiencing what Jandey had coined as "OHCOMEONEALREADY" time.