I found a discussion at Dave's garden about Kapalua of Exotic plumeria being the most expensive cutting. Then, I found another one that is the most expensive so far $1,300...not a typo. A cutting worth this much?


Update: the $1300 per cutting was removed.


Also in my opinion, the most beautiful plumeria flower is the Tropical Aurora of Dr. Kukiat Tanteeratarm, PHD horticulturist Thailand. This has not been released yet but I was able to buy seeds from BBB. I have 4 seedlings growing, very slow growers but look healthy. He gave me a permission to post an article of his virtual garden in our flickr group:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/c...

That JC plumeria is ridiculous. It's pink for crying out loud!!

All those people that think they can keep a Plumeria rare (and I include Jim Little in this) by making it expensive forget ONE important thing... once a single cutting is out of their hands they no longer have control over it. The Thai growers will take a 6" piece of stick and make a dozen or more plants from it through bud grafting.

Incidentally Alan Bunch of Exotic Plumeria has for years sold 'Confetti' (a re-name of Barbados Showgirl) for $ 149 a cutting....

I think people like this are just being greedy.

And Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

! That's why, buyer's beware! I am very close to Exotic Plumeria and bought 3 cuttings from them last April. My Puu Kahea was a large 3 tip cutting and they only gave it to me for $24 and this is among my favorite! The 2-tip key west red and the hot pink plumeria (I wanted pink plumeria flowers really bad) did not survive. That was a big ouch to my pocket (a $45 lesson: 2-tip key west for $25 and hot pink for $20) but that was through no fault of EP. Those were the collateral damages of my first attempt to grow plumeria. Boy did I learn fast how to grow them afterwards by reading how to propagate them and experimenting on my own cuttings!

Then Dr KT told me about Brad Buds and Blooms (BBB), I researched them extensively and was happy with the feedback. Their prices are sooo much cheaper than EP and they only sell all rooted plants. Brad and Brian are very accommodating, and I've been a loyal customer since. Brad introduced me to Barbados Showgirl/Confetti, which was 2-tip for $25 so for my $150 I got a few additional plumeria rooted plants plus several seeds. They discounted some of the seeds too when they learned I was just learning to grow them.

Hetty, thanks for the special tutorial on how to add Plumeria names into the database! Greatly appreciated!!!!!

I'm in agreement on all counts. Beauty hoarded isn't near as beautiful as beauty-shared. I also frequent BBB, btw, and love their offerings. Couldn't get into the Flicker site without signing up, so I didn't see the prettys you mention, Gigi, but I'm sure they're drool-worthy...:)
To me the answer is very simple, the most valuable and beautiful plumeria is the one that will grow and bloom for me. If it's from a friend, it's value doubles. And it's value triples, if I smell it before I even see it.

I couldn't agree more Cyra. I wonder if the photo will show up if I put the link directly here. Maybe it is a restricted site.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/k...

I googled "tropical aurora plumeria" and the photo showed up in google images. If I recall correctly, it is a seedling of Penang Peach.

Thanks, Gigi, I clicked on the last lnk you posted and was able to see the plumeria...very interesting colors and splashes of color!

Yes indeed! My seedlings may not come close to it and not sure if I have the patience to wait 5 years to see the beauty of my seedlings' blooms but worth the try.

GigiPlumeria, I know for a fact there are Kapaluas out there and if your patient, the price will be much more reasonable in a few years. Everyone has to have the latest and greatest that everyone else is talking about but patience pays. Not everyone is greedy and loves seeing a real plumeria lover flip out when something so special is gifted to them. Peg

That's what I'm hoping:). I don't know what is a good variety or not yet. Like Hetty said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I go for the color, size of the flower, size of the plant that is appealing to me more than the price. My family and friends love it when I give them these plants :), and we exchange cuttings too.

GigiPlumeria said:I found a discussion at Dave's garden about Kapalua of Exotic plumeria being the most expensive cutting. Then, I found another one that is the most expensive so far $1,300...not a typo. A cutting worth this much?

Update: the $1300 per cutting was removed.


Also in my opinion, the most beautiful plumeria flower is the Tropical Aurora of Dr. Kukiat Tanteeratarm, PHD horticulturist Thailand. This has not been released yet but I was able to buy seeds from BBB. I have 4 seedlings growing, very slow growers but look healthy. He gave me a permission to post an article of his virtual garden in our flickr group:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/c...

Hetty, I sent you an Tree-Mail yesterday.

I remember seeing that $1300 "purple" plumeria The video referring to it made about zero sense. Apparently, it was bought as "Pop's Red" cutting and when it flowered looking different, it was assumed that somehow it crossed with his "Pink Twirl" giving him the first and only purple plumeria No mention of a seedpod or seedling.

Pharaoh4 said:I remember seeing that $1300 "purple" plumeria The video referring to it made about zero sense. Apparently, it was bought as "Pop's Red" cutting and when it flowered looking different, it was assumed that somehow it crossed with his "Pink Twirl" giving him the first and only purple plumeria No mention of a seedpod or seedling.

Ah, the 'immaculate plumeria conception'

Speaking of Plumerian reproduction, how prolific is P.stenopetala? I ask because I found seed from it online, and am wondering whether it self pollinates (maybe with the assistance of thrips), or whether it crossed with maybe a P. rubra or whatever other type was in it's vicinity... (?)
Thanks.

I have found with most of the species that they self-pollinate and therefore come true from seed. The seeds should be quite small for P. stenopetala.

Dutchlady1 said:
Ah, the 'immaculate plumeria conception'

I read a description about it too that the "new creation" was cross-pollinated by a sphinx moth, which made the color different...and you're right Pharaoh no mention of seedpod or seedling.

Hmmm ..think I'd notice something hanging on one of my plumies for 3/4s of a year....(?)
And, thanks, Hetty!

Interesting thread. $1300.00 plumeria would sure take the fun out of this, unless of course I'm the one getting the 1300.00 haha. The trouble with Kapalua is it so hard to root. Went to Exotic Plumeria with the intent to buy a rooted one but at least 1/3 were rotting in the pots. To expensive to gamble on.