Any plumeria growers in Vancouver? / Plumeria Group Order
 

I know this ain't reef related but... On my stupidly long list of hobbies and interests there is something called the plumeria (also known as the frangipani). For those that know, they're as additive as coral. For those that don't, well... they're as addictive as corals.

I am looking to import some new plumeria cuttings up from California in the next few weeks and I was wondering if there were any reefers who shared in this passion or who would be interested in giving them a try. To bring them up you need an import permit and a Phytosanitary Certificate. I'm willing to handle the administration of the permits. A Phytosanitary Certificate is $30 for an entire order.

I will be ordering from http://www.plumeriaparadise.com/. There are some Canadian suppliers but none have the selection that these guys have.

If anyone is interested or is just wondering "What the hell is this?" just let me know!

Cheers,

Kevin

don't grow but nice. Was walking through a forest path of them a bit back. Nogas Island, bloom just finishing.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...5/P1020256.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...5/P1020254.jpg

sounds addictive. \p\m sent.
do you have any pics of your current collection?

I'm not local otherwise I'd be all over this too. I only have one right now, but I love these as much as I love orchids and bromeliads so I can see one day getting more. :) Good luck!

If you're willing to send some to Calgary after they're all imported, let me know, because then I'd be all in on this. Realize that's a huge PITA for you though so understand perfectly if that doesn't work for you.

So to clarify a few questions:

Will I forward them on to other destinations? Yes. They don't need overnight shipping like corals do so I can send them by regular or priority post (though you may need to give me a few days turn around time). The cuttings should be dormant at this time anyways so the cold isn't even a real issue (though I might look into the best way to ship into the frozen nether regions ie. Calgary.... -20C? What's wrong with you people?). The cuttings can also go without water for a VERY long time, so speed of shipping isn't real issue. I can post them by a faster method if you're willing to pay for it.

The idea is to share the permit, certificate and shipping cost. The Phytosanitary certificates are $30 per order, up to an order size of 25 cuttings. Basically this covers the cost of inspecting the cuttings for parasites and infections at the border. Shipping seems to be roughly fixed at $31.67 for 1 to at least 4 cuttings. That's as far as I checked at least but I think we could get several more in there before the shipping changed. I have no idea how much the import certificates are as this is... ugh-hum... the first time I'm doing this the proper way:redface: I'll tackle that this week once I get my PhD proposal written. What I will do is take the total certificate, permit and shipping cost and divide it by the total number of cuttings. You will pay that per cutting. Easy.

What is needed to grow them? Let me direct you over to www.plumeria101.com. This is the go to source of info on plumeria. But to sum up the answer... You can grow them both indoors or out, though I wouldn't be sticking them outside until the night time temperature stops dipping below 10C and daytime highs are around 15C. When rooting the cuttings temperature is more important than light. They really like bottom heat when rooting; you can use a heating pad under the pot during this time if you want to help it along or if your house is cold. They have enough energy to start rooting but once they are showing their first true leave they will want a lot of light. Give them a spot by a sunny window or, do as I do, and supplement with a grow light so that they get roughly a 12 hour photoperiod. As the days become longer make sure you don't over do it and supplement too much or you can burn them. Once whether permits, you can stick them outside in yard. Find the sunniest spot you can and you'll have a happy plumie!

Plumeria only produce branches when they bloom so it goes like this: blooming = branches = more blooms = more branches = .... you get the picture. So instead of using a fertilizer that promotes grow of the trunk and branches, use a super high phosphate fertilizer that promotes blooming. I use 10-50-10 or something similar. I can get mine to bloom nearly year-round.

In the winter they will drop their leaves and go dormant until spring. Stick them in a closet, under your bed, where ever! and wait until next year.

How's that for a solid answer?

Oh cool, yeah if you're sure you don't mind to reship then I'll probably go in for a couple. I'll go check out the site and we'll be in touch. Thanks!

No, I don't right now. I gave away most of my plants when I last moved. The only one I have left is in dormancy and looks like a stick right now. The cutting I just brought back from Maui is from this plant:
http://www.mauiplumeriagardens.com/i...%20rainbow.jpg

They seem to be the best in terms of selection of rare breeds, pricing and international shipping so far. Most places that carry the nice plumeria have a $500 minimum order :cry:. If you happen to find a better place, let me know!

I also like this place: http://www.mauiplumeriagardens.com. This is where I got my cutting but to my knowledge they're not shipping to Canada. I'll look into this as I really like their prices.

I put a call in to Maui Plumeria Gardens to inquire about shipping to Canada as well as the the gov'ment about how to go about acquiring a permit. They'll both be getting back to me in the next day or two.

Dude! Those are gorgeous! You grow them?

I wish those were mine. Cousin hybridises them in Indonesia.

Driving plants across the border
 

As a side hobby, I grow Nepenthes (Tropical Pitcher Plants)
http://ocps.proboards.com/index.cgi?...ay&thread=4343

In the above link are some pictures of the plants I bought from the US and drove them across the border. Further down in the thread, there are links and discussions about directive D-08-04 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-08-04e.shtml
which allows hobbyists or homeowners to bring up to 50 houseplants across the border yourself-for your own use to be grown indoors.

If you are interested in this, contact me because I do drive down US side to pickup items on a regular basis from my mailing outlet. I should be going down again within the next couple weeks.

how about this place?
 

hi scubasteve
Not looking to hijack but since you did ask if there is a better place........ keeping my previous post in mind about being able to drive these cuttings up from the US, I just happen to be surfing on EBAY and came across this auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hawaiian-Plumeri...item3cb45a1ff8

If you are not picky and just starting out, this sounds like the best deal out there. For those who want to pitch in, we can take turns selecting which ones we want from the 25.
I am not picky at all and they look beautiful and spectacular regardless how rare or unique they are. I would be looking at 3-4 as an ornamental addition to my house.

I am interested in this. You may have to help me make sense of this all as I have never done it this way. I have always been under the impression that I would need a phytosanitary certificate. This may be due the pests specific to plumeria? If you were able to help me figure this one out (or at least point me in the right direction) I would appreciate it. This would save us some shipping, the phytocertificate and an import permit. My only worry is if the plumeria are covered under something different. Kinda like CITES for corals.

ps. I am also a carnivorous plant grower. High five! I do mainly traps and dews.

And yes, I did see the eBay cuttings. That's what got me started but they're really a crap shoot; some were nice, some were not so nice. Now I'm wanting some of the more rare and beautiful varieties. Kinda like jumping to SPS from softies :razz:

You do have me thinking now Chin. These guys (the seller) seem to be a "cut" above the rest... explain how you normally bring them across if you may.

Its just exactly that. Canadian Food Inspection Agency have deemed that the pests from tropical plants are very unlikely to harm or be introducted to the Canadian agriculture. Plumeria is not threatened and is not listed under CITES so don't need to worry about that.
Here what I do:
1) I have a mailing address in Point Robert and in Blaine and I will order my plants to be shipped to either location (depending where I want to cross)
2) I print off the receipt of the plants I bought.
3) I print off the directive D-08-04 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in case there is a CBSA officer who is not familiar with it.
4) when I get notified my shipment is in, I drive down and pick it up.
5) I drive back, answer all the questions truthfully asked of me by the CBSA officer. If they question the plants, I provide the receipt providing the genus/species of the plants.
If they question me about permits/certificates, then I present the directive explaning that the purchase was made with that directive in mind and with the understanding that the (less that 50) plants i've purchased are exclusively houseplants for my personal use.

I've never had an problems as the directive is pretty broad and only applies if you have it with you on your person when you cross the border.

For unknown reasons, its a whole different ball game if you want it shipped to you or if the shipment comes through the airport. And obviously if its commercial, prepare to pay your duties/taxes.

Frankly, I'm just planning to buy from this guy:
http://shop.ebay.com/gover314/m.html
looking at the Texas Sunshine, Arzalia, Sassey and Windkiss. He combines shipping so I'm suspecting the entire purchase for the four kind will be less than $30.
They all kinda ........ look alike.

Ya, they've got some great looking ones. If you're starting that;s the way to do it.

I'm trying to track down some specific species so I'm going to stick with Plumeria Paradise but I think I will discuss with you about the border shipping idea. I would really appreciate that if you are willing!

Alrighty, I'm going to be pushing this ahead. Other than the people I've already talked to is there anyone else interested?

kevin you mailbox is full. need to send you a pm
rick

Plumeria Cutting - Edmonton
 

ScubaDive & Chin_Lee

Hi, I am interested in getting few cuttings but I really don't want to spend too much money. Any idea how much it will cost for the cutting and shipping? How soon will I get them?

This was a few months back. We all have our cuttings now and mine are fully rooted, so there aren't any more planned in the near future. It is not the cheapest to get the rare cuttings from the states. With shipping it was about $35 to $50 per cutting. There are plumeria growers in Canada that you can get cuttings for $15 ea plus shipping, but they tend to be of the more common varieties.. for most people that is totally fine. I just wanted more exotic cuttings to add to my collection.

Check with this person to see if they have any more cuttings. If you need help with growing don't be afraid to ask!

Thanks, will try. So did you have to get any certificate etc. to bring them in or not?

If you order normally across the border, yes, you do. However, Chin taught me a cool trick that you can ship them to a mail slot jus on the US side of the border and you drive down to pick them up. There is andirective you can quote (print it and take it with you to make you life easier) that allows you to bring up to 50 houseplants across the border with you. Most of the time this works just fine unless you come across a border guard with a bug up their ass and they'll argue with you on it. Sometimes the sticking point is if the plants have soil; they don't want pests entering the country... Luckily cuttings don't often have dirt with them, so it's not usually an issue. Badabing, don't have to pay phytocert fees!

How's everybody's plumeria rooting? All six of my plumerias have sprouted huge leaves and are growing mad.

My runt cutting only has a few small leaves but my others are HUGE