The following process is how I plant my plumeria seedlings. Others may have their own variations so pick whats best for you!.
1) Select the container that you will be using for your plumeria seedlings. I have used black plastic trays that contain multiple slots for the seedlings. I find this tray more useful since the seedlings are all in one area. Small single containers will also work.
(You could also check with a nearby garden center or nursery to see if they have any plants left over.) ).
I chose the darker plastic containers to attract more sunlight. In order to plant your seedlings in a light-colored pot, you could always set the pot on something dark. This will have the same affect.
2) Prepare your containers with soil. Make sure the soil is a mixture of soil and perlite. Remember, the perlite helps with water drainage. In the beginning stages, it is very important for the root system to have good drainage.
3) When you plant your plumeria seedlings, you should put the round end down in the soil and leave the seed’s wing sticking out.
4) Water your seedlings. Be very careful when watering. A heavy stream of water will move the seedlings placement. If the placement is moved, just go back and fix it. I drilled a small hole in the cap of a water bottle to use as my watering gun. It provided a very gentle water flow.
5) Place the plumeria seedlings in a sunny area. Preferably an area that has full sunlight throughout the day.
Tip: If you start growing the seedlings in a spot with some sunlight and then want to move them to a spot with full sunlight, you will need to do this slowly.
Extra: If you risk it and plant the seedling straight in the ground, you might see flowers sooner than if you use another method. Like I said, it’s a chance you take.
Growing plumeria from seeds is an exciting way to propagate these gorgeous tropical flowers. While it requires patience compared to other methods, planting plumeria seeds is easy and rewarding when done right. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about harvesting, planting, and caring for plumeria started from seed.
Harvesting Plumeria Seeds
The first step is getting your hands on some fresh plumeria seeds. Here’s what to know:
-
Plumeria produce seed pods that take 9-10 months to fully ripen. Watch for pods to turn yellowish, shrivel, and split open when ready.
-
Carefully collect the seeds and allow them to air dry for 1-2 weeks before planting. Store in a paper bag. Seeds are viable for up to 2 years but germinate best when fresh.
-
Not all plumeria produce seed pods. Some hybrids are sterile. For the highest chance of success, collect seeds from a plumeria that reliably sets seed pods
-
Purchase plumeria seeds from specialty online retailers if you can’t harvest your own Opt for fresh seeds under a year old
Preparing Plumeria Seeds for Planting
Before placing plumeria seeds in soil a little prep goes a long way
-
Gently remove any dry pulp clinging to the seeds by hand. Take care not to damage the seed embryo.
-
Optional: Soak seeds in warm water for 1-2 days prior to planting. This can increase germination rate. Change the water daily.
-
Scarify seeds by nicking carefully with a file. This allows water to penetrate the tough outer seed coating. Don’t cut too deep.
With prepped seeds in hand, it’s time to plant!
Planting Plumeria Seeds
Follow these steps for planting plumeria seeds successfully:
Choose Containers
-
Start seeds in 3-4″ pots, cell packs, or seedling flats with drainage holes. Mini greenhouses also work well.
-
Shallow containers are ideal as plumeria have a taproot and don’t like to be disturbed.
Prepare a Seed Starting Mix
-
Use a light, fast-draining mix like 2 parts potting soil and 1 part perlite. Or try a cactus/citrus mix.
-
Moisten the medium well before planting. It should be damp but not soggy.
Plant Seeds
-
Poke holes about 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch deep in the mix. Place 1 seed in each hole pointy side down.
-
Cover seeds lightly with mix, leaving some of the wider seed end exposed.
-
Water gently to settle the soil without dislodging seeds.
Provide Warmth & Humidity
-
Plumeria seeds need 70-80°F temperatures to germinate. Consider a heat mat.
-
Enclose seeds in mini greenhouses or plastic bags to retain moisture & heat.
-
Bottom heat is ideal. Top warming lights can dry out tiny seedlings.
-
Remove any coverings once sprouts emerge to prevent mold.
Caring for Plumeria Seedlings
With proper care, you’ll see sprouts emerge in 2-3 weeks. Here’s how to ensure vigorous growth:
-
Keep soil moist but not saturated. Seedlings are prone to damping off disease.
-
Gradually acclimate seedlings to lower humidity levels. Harden off for a week before transplanting.
-
Transplant into 3-5″ containers once 2-3 true leaves emerge. Use well-draining soil.
-
Fertilize monthly with a balanced, 10-10-10 formula diluted to 1/4 strength.
-
Move seedlings into bright light. Provide 14-16 hours under grow lights or direct sun.
-
Maintain warm temperatures around 70°F for the first year. Heat and light are vital!
Transplanting Established Plumeria Seedlings
After a year or so of growth, plumeria seedlings will be ready to move into larger quarters:
-
Transplant into 1-2 gallon pots. Choose lightweight, porous mixes amended with compost.
-
Add timed-release fertilizer granules to the soil to supply nutrients for 4-6 months.
-
Position plants in the brightest, warmest spot possible. South or west-facing exposure is ideal.
-
In zones 10 and up, plants can go straight into the ground after the last frost.
-
Acclimate seedlings slowly to increased sun and dryness to avoid shock.
-
Pinch back tips to encourage bushiness. Stake taller seedlings if needed.
Blooms & Disappointments
The payoff for diligent plumeria seed growers is those first incredible blooms – but it will take time! Here’s what to expect:
-
Don’t expect flowers until at least 2-3 years from seed. Delicate seedlings need time to mature.
-
The flowers probably won’t look like the parent. Seedlings produce random new hybrids.
-
Variability is the name of the game! You could get colors and patterns never seen before.
-
Some seedlings may not flower at all. Toss non-bloomers after 4-5 years. Focus energy on winners.
-
Flowers may be smaller at first but improve as the plants gain size and vigor.
Worth the Wait!
Starting plumeria from seeds requires persistence, but ultimately rewards the patient gardener with a diversity of delightful new plants. Take time to select and prepare seeds, provide optimal care, and allow several years of growth. With a little luck, you’ll enjoy unique, one-of-a-kind blooms.
When will you see the Plumeria Seedlings Start toGrow?
Within 3-14 days, the seeds will begin to sprout. My first bunch didn’t sprout till the very end. If you have children or if you are just fascinated by the growing process, keeping a journal helps. Each day, I would check on my plants and make notes on what I saw. In the beginning, I was very impatient because I wasn’t seeing anything different. However, when the seedlings began to surface, I started noticing a lot of transformation. As your seedlings grow, the outer casing will fall off naturally. During this process, the seed may begin to develop leaves. In 8 weeks your seedling may reach 6 inches in height. Once the seedlings reach 4-6 inches in height, you may repot them in a 4-6 inch pot. Make sure that you use a well-drained potting mix. Continue to transplant your plumeria seedlings as they outgrow their pots.
How Many Seedlings will I get?
Within 1 seed pod you may acquire 25 -100 seedlings. This varies with each plumeria and the age of the plant. However, throughout the whole process, you may only have a few seedlings that make it. The side of the seed that is full will let you know which one has an embryo. If it’s flat, you can disregard the seed.
Plumeria seed planting
FAQ
How long does it take plumeria to grow from seed?
Should you soak plumeria seeds before planting?
What do I do with plumeria seed pods?
Are plumeria seeds true to parent?
How do you grow Plumeria from seed?
When you see seed pods splitting open on an existing plant, you can gather the papery-thin seeds. If you’re planning to propagate your Plumerias through seeds, you can plant them in starting trays or small containers. Seeds can be planted in seed-starting trays or small containers with draining holes.
How long does a plumeria flower take to grow?
Once pollinated, plumeria flowers will fade and begin to grow into seed pods. These seed pods will take eight to ten months to mature into viable plumeria seeds. Propagating plumeria by seed is a test of patience but, generally, is a better method of propagation for plumeria than taking cuttings. Plumeria seeds must mature on the plant.
How do you start a plumeria tree?
Plumeria seeds, lacking true dormancy, require moisture and warmth to activate germination. Begin with high-quality seeds, either purchased online or collected from mature trees. Many growers soak seeds for 24 hours prior to planting in a seed starter mix. I have had great success with using the plastic bag method.