Frangipani

• Grow Plumeria in pots or containers, in the house, conservatory or greenhouse border
• Use containers with good drainage and an open, free draining growing medium, such as John Innes No.2, with extra grit or sharp sand
  Sharp sand is washed, gritty sand used in potting compost mixes, This is sold for gardening and is not the same as builders sharp sand.
• Give plants a bright position and water from spring to autumn, when the plant is dry
• Feed with a general purpose pot plant liquid feed at 10–14-day intervals from April to when flowers begin to open, or to the end of August if there are no signs of flowers
• Plumeria transplant easily and can be potted on when necessary, in February or March. Do not feed for the first five or six weeks after repotting
• Repot into a slightly larger pot every other year
• In years when not repotting, remove an inch or two of old compost
  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. from the surface, and replace it with fresh compost
• Contact with the sap
  Sap is a fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, in a similar way to blood moving through our veins. Phloem sap carries the sugars produced in the leaves by photosynthesis down to roots and other storage organs, as well as carrying minerals and hormones. Xylem sap is watery and transports nutrients absorbed by the roots upwards to the rest of the plant. Some plants leak sap from wounds or pruning cuts, and this is known as bleeding. may irritate eyes and skin

Winter care

• Keep dry in winter with an airy, dry atmosphere (similar to the winter requirements of cacti)
• Do not feed during the winter months
• Minimum winter temperatures should be 15°C (60°F). Any colder and the growing tips can rot
• Start watering again in mid-March

Try to avoid pruning, as the wood is soft and prone to rotting. If it becomes necessary to remove or shorten straggly growth, do this in early spring, when the plant is still dormant

Dormancy refers to a period of inactivity in plants, during which they slow down or stop their growth, conserving energy and resources. This is a natural process that helps them survive harsh conditions, such as winter or drought. Dormancy in seeds is a mechanism that prevents them germinating until environmental conditions are favourable for growth. . Cut back to a shoot or branch junction. Replace overgrown plants rather than attempt to renovate.

• Take cuttings from February to March, using 10–15cm (4–6in) long sections from the tips of shoots
• Slice the base of the cutting cleanly across with a sharp knife, then leave for a day or two for the cut end to dry and heal before inserting into a well-drained rooting medium in a propagator
  A propagator is a portable, lightweight structure usually plastic, with a vented or unvented lid to provide a humid, slightly warmer atmosphere. It is useful to help seeds germinate and root cuttings. It may have adjustable, thermostatic temperature control. with bottom heat
• If no propagator is available try inserting the cuttings
  A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year. in a pot, cover with a polythene bag, and place near or above a radiator
• The rooting medium should be kept fairly dry while rooting – which under good conditions takes around four to six weeks
• If conditions are too wet, cuttings can rot

Plumeria ‘Aztec Gold’– scented, golden flowers
Plumeria ‘Thong Taweekun’– scented pink and orange-tinged flowers
Plumeria ‘Black Widow’–cerise flowers with strong scent

Links

RHS Find a Plant
Specialist supplier (Germany)

Glasshouse red spider mite may be problematic under glass.