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Winter Preparation and Storage

With the fall season, days are getting shorter and soon cooler weather will arrive. This is the time to begin thinking about winter storage for plumeria plants. Plumeria are severely damaged if not killed by subfreezing temperatures. The average first frost date for Houston (zone 9) is December 11, meaning that plumeria should be protected well before. When the night temperature is getting below 40°F plumeria should be moved to a location where they will not be subjected to temperatures less than 35°F for the duration of winter.

There are two basic methods for overwintering plumeria, either leave them in pots or bareroot. With either method there may be noticeable shriveling of limbs by spring planting time. For deciduous plants one method of minimizing this shrinkage and reducing leaf cleanup in the storage area is as follows.

1. Pick a date to bring plants inside.
2. Two or 3 weeks before digging, root prune plants in the ground by cutting vertically (use a sharp shooter or spade) at the perimeter of the root ball.
3. One week before, cut all but very top leaves from plumeria about one inch from the limb. These stubs will yellow and fall on their own.(soon there may be a safe chemical defoliant)
4. For plants to be left in pots, lift pots from the ground and trim roots back to the weepholes.
5. For plants planted in the ground, use a sharp shooter or spade, dig around each plant and lift from the ground.
6. Shake excess soil from plants to be stored bareroot . Some people prefer to place a bag over the rootball, but this is not necessary.
7. Place in a protected location (greenhouse, garage, spare room, attic, etc...). If in a garage or greenhouse, it is best to keep the limbs and roots from contact with concrete.
8. Pots can be stacked for plants in pots.
9. Bare rooted plants can be stored upright, on shelves, or hanging from rafters.
10. Try to maintain good air circulation in the storage area to discourage pests.

*Please Note:  When it becomes time to re-plant your plumeria in the spring, do not be discouraged with some shrivelling of the limbs. While this does occur with all varieties, in some cases it is quite prominent. Usually when they are planted and watered they will recover nicely.