How to cultivate Plumeria
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Plumeria is a deciduous shrub or small tree belonging to the Apocynaceae family and Plumeria genus. Also known as Frangipani,鸡蛋花 (Yulan), Indian Jasmine, or Large White Frangipani. The flowers grow in clusters at the top of the branches, with a tubular corolla, about 5-6 cm in diameter, and 5 lobes. The exterior is creamy white, the center is bright yellow, and they are extremely fragrant. The flowering period is from May to October. Plumeria blooms in summer with elegant fragrance. After defoliation, the bare trunk curves naturally, which is very beautiful. It is suitable for planting in courtyards and lawns, and can also be grown in pots. Plumeria is planted in various places in Hainan.
Plumeria is drought-resistant, dislikes waterlogging, and has good resistance to adversity. However, drought is not conducive to the growth of the plant, and severe drought can lead to poor growth; waterlogging can easily cause root rot.
Plumeria has poor cold resistance and the most suitable growth temperature is between 20-26°C. It is prone to cold damage if the temperature is below 8°C for an extended period during the winter. In the vast urban areas south of the Tropic of Cancer in China, it can generally overwinter safely in the open; in the central and northern regions, it is only suitable for pot cultivation, and should be moved into a greenhouse for overwintering.
I. Propagation methods of Plumeria: The propagation methods of Plumeria include cutting propagation, layering propagation, seeding propagation, and grafting propagation.
1. Cutting propagation: In tropical areas, cuttings can be made throughout the year. Select 1-2-year-old sturdy branches, cut 20-30 cm long sections from the base of the branches. Allow the white latex to dry naturally or wash it off with water, then place it in a shaded and well-ventilated area for 2-3 days before inserting it into the growing soil. Because the freshly cut branches contain latex, they are prone to rot when planted. Insert the cuttings into clean sandy soil in a shaded greenhouse and spray water every other day to keep the matrix moist. Roots can form in 30-35 days. As long as there is no waterlogging and the soil remains moist, it is easy to survive. Growth hormones such as indole butyric acid, indole acetic acid, naphthyl acetic acid, 2,4-D, and root powder can be used to treat Plumeria cuttings, which have a significant effect on root formation.
2. Layering propagation: Mainly high-layering, also known as aerial layering, involves selecting 2-4-year-old vigorous vertical branches on the tree crown, removing half to two-thirds of the bark 20-30 cm from the base of the branch, then wrapping the wound with a mixture of fertilizer and high-quality compound fertilizer, and covering it with plastic film to keep it moist. The layering process usually takes place in early spring, February to March, and by August to September, white roots can be seen through the plastic film. The layered branches are then cut 3-5 cm below the wrapped ball and must be immediately planted in a false planting bed. Milan can usually form roots about 3 months after layering.
3. Seeding propagation: Generally, seeds are sown immediately after collection. Sow evenly with a spacing of 5-6 cm and cover with a thin layer of sand. Water moderately to keep the matrix moist. Seeds usually germinate in 8-12 days in spring and 5 days in summer. General routine management should be maintained to keep the seedbed moist but not waterlogged. When seedlings grow to 10-15 cm, they can be transplanted into bags, and when they grow to 40-50 cm, they can be cultivated in the field.
II: Outdoor cultivation: When the seedlings are about 50 cm tall, they can be planted around the courtyard. If planting in groups, the spacing should be about 4 meters to avoid dense planting and ensure good ventilation. Plumeria cultivation should choose a location with shade, moisture, strong scattered light, less direct sunlight, fertile soil with slightly acidic pH (6-6.5), and good drainage and ventilation. The spacing for outdoor planting of Plumeria is 2 meters between plants and 3 meters between rows. Dig a planting pit 50 cm deep, apply decomposed manure as a base fertilizer, and剪掉 any broken, damaged, or overly long roots before planting. Planting can be done at any time of the year. First, fill the planting pit with fertile soil, place the Plumeria plant in the center of the pit, ensure the roots are spread out, and when half the soil is filled, gently lift and shake the plant to compact the soil. Do not plant too deep, keeping the rootstock level with the ground, and water thoroughly after planting.
III, Pot cultivation: In the northern regions, Plumeria can be grown in pots for indoor decoration. The potting mix should be a combination of 40% garden soil, 40% compost, and 20% river sand, with an optional addition of decomposed organic fertilizer.剪掉 any broken, damaged, or overly long roots before potting. Place some broken tiles at the bottom of the pot, then fill with potting soil, place the plant in the center, spread out the roots, and fill the soil to half the pot. Gently lift and shake the plant to compact the soil, making sure not to plant too deep. After planting, water thoroughly. Initially, keep the plant in a shaded environment for about a week, then move it to a sunny location for care.
IV, Management: During the high-temperature seasons of summer and autumn, which is the peak growth and flowering period for Plumeria, it is important to check the moisture of the potting soil and water according to the principle of "watering when dry and keeping moist." Accumulated water in the pot should be drained promptly to prevent root rot. During the growing season, apply a thin layer of decomposed fertilizer every half month. In the north, potted plants should be moved to a sunny indoor location for overwintering in mid to late October. During winter, reduce watering and stop fertilizing to allow the plant to enter a dormant state, maintaining a room temperature of about 10°C for safe overwintering. If dwarfing the plant is desired, pruning can be done after defoliation each winter to promote lateral branching. Plumeria grows rapidly and requires potting and changing the soil every spring, adding sufficient base fertilizer to ensure abundant flowers and leaves.
Plumeria enjoys moisture and dislikes dryness. Sufficient water is needed during the stem and leaf growth period to keep the potting soil moist, which is beneficial for the germination of branches and leaf growth. However, excessive moisture can easily cause some roots to rot, affecting growth and flowering. If the soil is too dry or alternates between wet and dry, and water supply is not timely, it can lead to leaf shedding. During the summer flowering period, water and fertilizer management should be strengthened, with fertilization every 30-40 days, usually with thin decomposed cake fertilizer. If the leaves become pale green, thin, and lack luster, with few flowers and light flower color, it is due to insufficient light, not a lack of fertilizer and water. In this case, move the pot to a sunny outdoor location. Regularly cultivate the soil to remove weeds, keep the soil loose, reduce water evaporation, and promote air circulation, which is essential for the rapid and healthy growth of Plumeria seedlings. After flowering, promptly remove the faded flowers, as well as dead, weak, overly long, and diseased branches.
The above sharing on how to cultivate Plumeria and related green plant and flower cultivation and management tips hope to bring help to your life!