PLUMERIA

PLUMERIA

Plumeria (common name Frangipani) is a genus of flowering plants of the family that includes Dogbane: the Apocynaceae.  It contains 7-8 species of mainly deciduous shrubs and small trees. They are native to Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America as far south as Brazil but have been spread throughout the world's tropics.

Plumeria is related to the Oleander, Nerium oleander, and both possess an irritant, rather similar to that of Euphorbia. Contact with the sap may irritate eyes and skin.  Each of the separate species of Plumeria bears differently shaped alternate leaves, with distinct form and growth habits. The leaves of P. alba are quite narrow and corrugated, whereas leaves of P. pudica have an elongated shape and glossy, dark-green color. P. pudica is one of the everblooming types with non-deciduous, evergreen leaves. Another species that retains leaves and flowers in winter is P. obtusa; though its common name is "Singapore," it is originally from Colombia.

Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers have no nectar, and simply dupe their pollinators. The moths inadvertently pollinate them by transferring pollen from flower to flower in their fruitless search for nectar.

Plumeria species may be easily propagated from cuttings of leafless stem tips in spring. Cuttings are allowed to dry at the base before planting in well-drained soil. Cuttings are particularly susceptible to rot in moist soil.

Plumeria - tropical flowering tree, sometimes called frangipani, family (Apocynaceae). This is a traditional plant tropical park.

On thick succulent branches are leathery leaves patterned veins radiating from a central. On the tips of the shoots - large inflorescences of fragrant flowers with five petals. Flowers exude a scent that resembles the scent of citrus, jasmine, spices, gardenia. Pink tone edges to the center of the flower fades to give way to the middle of the flower orange-yellow coloring. Under petals - visible corolla tube. But beware of inadvertently injure Plumeria - once released from the damaged area poisonous milky sap white.

In the tropics, plumeria reaches a height of 5 m, while the parks do not give her to grow taller than a man.

In room culture is grown only species P. rubra. Sharpened at the ends of the leaves are long, oval, strongly scented flowers are white or pink.

Location

Bright diffused light with some direct sun light. Moderate temperatures, winter is not below 16 °.

Lighting

Bright light.

Watering

Moderate, in the dormant period (from October to March), watering should be reduced.

Air humidity

Moderate.

Humidity: Additional information

In the spraying is not needed.

Care

Spring fertilizing agents with more nitrogen, and later - phosphorus. Fertilize the soil must be every 2-3 weeks. Regularity direct proportional fertilizing plant growth.

Flowering is at the ends of the branches, which developed in the current year. Take this into consideration when forming the crown. After flowering shoots branching below inflorescence.

Reproduction - cuttings

When take cuttings

Plumeria can be propagated by cuttings at any time of year. It is best to take cuttings in the fall or winter when the plant is dormant. Cuttings stored for months. For successful establishment, a relatively high temperature - you can use a lower heat.

What should be the cuttings

Cut the tops of the branches, but the stalks must be green, and quite stiff, greyish. The optimum size of a handle - 25 cm Try not to use too long shanks. Before flowering plant can still grow 30 centimeters, and a long thin stick will be unstable and unsightly.

How to cut the stalk

Cut the stalk at 45 degrees. A diagonal cut will provide a great surface for the formation of roots. If there are leaves on the handle - it is better to cut them all. Flowers, however, you can leave, if they have a branch.

Allow to dry for a cut of at least 2 weeks in a warm, dry, ventilated area. If the graft was cut in the winter, you can wait until spring - cutting perfectly preserved for a long time. However, it is not necessary, and under favorable conditions (see below) to root plumeria at any time - at home.

How to plant

Before planting useful process for rooting hormone slice and protivofungusnymi sredstavami to prevent rotting. Should handle only the lower 2 cm of the cutting - the roots are formed only around the cut.

Take the pot for rooting around 2-3 liters of capacity, depending on the size of the cutting.

Mix for rooting should consist of three layers:

• The bottom layer - well-drained potting mix rich in organic matter. Suitable traditional mix for houseplants based on peat, mixed with perlite and small pieces of bark. Prerequisite, as with any planting of tropical plants - a mixture of good drainage and the ability to retain moisture.

• The middle layer - perlite or sand.

• The top layer - the same as the bottom.

Sprinkle the bottom, rich in organic layer in the pot. Sprinkle on top of the middle layer - perlite or sand. Place the cutting firmly in the middle layer, and then add the top layer. It is important to firmly graft was fixed and shifted in the rooting process. Young roots are very delicate and easy to damage the slightest movement of the cutting. You can use the extra support that you assigned to stalk and top it with a layer of stones, pebbles. If there is a cat or a dog - take extra precautionary measures, without someone to adjust your plumeria for carding back. :-)

Root development

In the process of establishment of water should be minimal. However, do not bring the soil to full issyhaniya. Approximately 350 ml of water in a week - the optimal number, will not develop until the plant root system. Lighting during establishment should be as bright and best of all - the bright sun. It is desirable to use a lower heat. Energy derived from the top (from the sun) and the bottom (from the surface on which you place the pot) stimulate rooting. Education indicator roots - is the growth of the leaves. Education colors - not an indicator of rooting! Stalk can produce buds, but that does not mean that it is rooted. Only intensive development of leaves shows that constructing successfully. On average, the rooting is between 45 to 75 days after planting. Frangipani young roots are very fragile. Even when the plant is well established, do not hold it by the barrel!

When the bloom?

Plumeria can begin to bloom in the winter, spring, even before the leaves. However, as already noted, this is not an indication of the formation of root system. Wait for new leaves - that they are the indicators of the roots. Some cut flowers to keep the power plants to form roots.

 - Seeds

Plumeria grow from seed is very funny, because plants grown from seed are very different from their parents. Frangipani seeds - as a result of self-pollination and cross-pollination. To attract insects and birds use nectar. Here are the stages of germination of seeds Plumeria:

1. Day before planting, soak the seeds frangipani and leave in a warm place.

2. Prepare the soil for planting and pour it.

3. Plant the seed so that you can see the wing, and lightly press down on the ground around the seed.

4. Keep on the sunny side of the pot (and do not forget that the soil should be slightly moist). Seedlings will appear in 7-30 days.

In the first two years of frangipani seedlings are very demanding to leave. During all the time they need to be transplanted twice in a larger container. Be sure to nitrogen fertilization. Also have to take care of the timely application of insecticides. For a young frangipani needs sunlight for 6 hours each day. In the spring, from April, plumeria can be taken out. Make sure that the first frost does not damage the plants. In summer, at very high temperatures, plumeria can be watered every other day. In the third year of life the plant can be up to 1 m in height. If necessary, Plumeria planted in a container larger. The three-year seedling can bloom in summer.

Transplantation

Every two years, in the spring. Substrate of a mixture of 2 parts of sod land and one part peat moss, humus and sand.

Possible difficulties

Spider mites, rust. In general it can be noted that the plumeria poisonous enough to not be afraid of pests.

Useful properties

Latex plumerii poisonous! Do not allow latex to skin and mucous membranes. After contact with the juice - juice rinse with water.