I bought a luscious plumeria at the UCR Botanical Gardens plant sale & it bloomed beautifully through our lot late fall then died, rotted, fell over in its sad plant tracks. I've solved container drainage problems since then but I'm not sure this tropical wants to grow in the high desert.
Then I ordered a frangipani vine on-line, received an empty box with a note that the plant had been confiscated & destroyed (a sign?) & eventually a polite refund. Yesterday, a new Frangipani showed up. It's really just a stick, of course, and I could ignore it. But it's here and it's a plant, ready to grow (somewhere) & I'm a mom.
I'm in Zone 9b with a very hot sunny sunny patio but it gets cold at night, occasionally really cold (for me & the Chihuahua!) -- I'm told we'll get a freeze or two before it starts to warm back up in February (I know; don't hate!)
Should I plant it? If so, anything special? Should I keep it separate so it could come inside if need be? Should I plant it now or keep it warm & dry 'til "spring"?
Or should I offer it up to someone who lives somewhere where it will thrive?
(I know there's a difference between frangipani & plumeria, right?)
-- New gardener!
