Hello,

I fell in love with plumerias on a trip to Cambodia where I first discovered this lovely fragrant flower not knowing that they are actually native to my part of the world (well, sort of)! I'd love to keep a slice of this memory at home and ordered a pack of 3 seeds from France. They just arrived and I've already done my homework on things like growing them from seeds and from cuttings.
My concerns are:
1) I live in a tiny Manhattan apartment that faces the East with a lovely brick wall about 15 feet away--basically, it gets about 2 hours of good sunlight.
2) It is now mid-October.

My questions:
1) would it be possible to grow the seedlings in containers (I'm not expecting much) and
2) If they manage to survive, past seedling, do you think I will eventually be able to plant them outside when I eventually move out? I have seen some folks grow figs that bear fruit right here in the city.

I hope I wasn't too wishful when I hit the "submit" button!

Many thanks in advance!

Primaluce!
You're facing a challenge. The seeds may germinate and the plants may grow but the odds of getting them to bloom in your climate are not great. However, it can be done. At this point, provide heat and light, and once your babies are big enough to go outside we can discuss your next steps.

Here is a picture of Aztec Gold to keep your dreams alive!

@GordonHawk might be able to give you some pointers too, he lives in New York.

yes... as Hetty has mentioned you'll need to supply supplemental plant light to them...and bottom heat will help too... most plant lights will help them grow well... but to flower you need a plant light with some strong waves.. like a HID light.. or a big bank of flourescents... a HID light would be best... [ High Pressure Sodium ] like the peach colored street lights...flowering wave lengths... the bluish colored street lights are good for growing leaves... [Metal Halide ]
by saying planting them out when you leave your apartment... to go outside in the ground... you'll need to move out and far away...[ south ] yes they frow figs here... some are naturally hardy to zone 7 where we are here in NYC.. so no problem..other varities are babied.. wrapped in burlap and in a microclime that helps them survive.. you'll never get a plumeria growing outside here... guaranteed...
I've a few blooms now on the ones summering outside on my roof here in Brooklyn..I'll post their pictures from my laptop.. flowering is a seedling from seeds I gathered from the wild [ ocean side ] in Panama.. you're welcome to visit here if you like..drop me a mail with your contact #... and we'll set it up in the next few weeks.. then they come inside ... about the first of November

Here it was a bit ago.flowering. There are more buds awaiting opening now also...might be open this morning with the return of some warmth...


I've other tropicals here... The brugmansias smell even better than the plumeria...well ...different.. But strong and sweet smelling..and much easier to get a pile of flowers from them... Other tropicals blooming now also..the Hawaiian Sunset Vine..

Have you named your seedling, Gordon? It's lovely!

Hello Hetty and Gordon,

Thank you so much for the tips, photos and even the emoticoms By the way, the 5 seeds I purchased were Aztec Gold, so mission accomplished!

Alas, I figured as much given that our climate is not remotely close to that of Phnom Penh, but I had to try! I am heartened, though, to hear (and see) your success in Brooklyn! I am fine with growing them in pots and bringing them in during the winter as you do.
How long did it take for yours to get from seedlings to their size they are now? (How tall are they, by the way?) How about the length of time to get them from seedling to flowering? Finally where, how and what time of the year did you sow your seeds? ( I hope I'm not pestering you with my many questions!)

Thanks for the details on the lighting. I purchased an Aerogarden (http://www.aerogarden.com/aero...). It's mainly for herbs and vegetables, but I was thinking I might be able to use it for the plumeria seeds....yes, no, maybe?

I am such a novice on this species and hoping I don't kill my 5 little seeds Thank you for the invitation. Feel free to email me directly at [email protected] or text/call (646) 284-0443.

Many thanks, again!
Tiffany

And feel free to join us in the Plumeria Forum, Tiffany!

By the way, Plumeria do not come true from seed so you might get some surprising new blooms on your plants when they grow up!