Overwintered Plumeria in garage - soft trunk?

[Zach K]

Hi all, 

I have 3 plumerias in my unheated garage in Vancouver, WA. 8b. Garage gets down to about 44-50°F. 
 

I am aware of cutting back on watering. And that leaves fall off during winter. 
 

However is there Any reason why these plumies have very soft trunks? Is that normal? Are they rotting on the inside? I keep these things dry as a bone. Probably TOO dry.
 

ALSO, any reason why these leaves STILL haven’t fallen off? Could it be from the tiny amount of light coming from my makeshift “greenhouse”? I try to position the plumerias away from it so the light doesn’t hit them.
I gave the leaves a tug and they are still fixed on there.

(Yes I staged them in front of the shelter for the picture)
 

Thanks!

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, Zach K said:

Hi all, 

I have 3 plumerias in my unheated garage in Vancouver, WA. 8b. Garage gets down to about 44-50°F. 
 

I am aware of cutting back on watering. And that leaves fall off during winter. 
 

However is there Any reason why these plumies have very soft trunks? Is that normal? Are they rotting on the inside? I keep these things dry as a bone. Probably TOO dry.
 

ALSO, any reason why these leaves STILL haven’t fallen off? Could it be from the tiny amount of light coming from my makeshift “greenhouse”? I try to position the plumerias away from it so the light doesn’t hit them.
I gave the leaves a tug and they are still fixed on there.

(Yes I staged them in front of the shelter for the picture)
 

Thanks!

Stems shouldn't be soft, though if kept dry all winter, that can cause them to go soft / shrivel a bit... I'd be more concerned w/ the pair of tall/ skinny plants, seedling ( FYI:  First winter = all seedling - sized plants should be kept indoors and warm / hydrated ..but not " wet " )  than the thicker / shorter plant w/ no leaves..

W/ the tall / skinny plants, leaves should have been removed before being stored for the winter.. 

In the future, when you remove leaves from plants that refuse to go to sleep in the fall, leave the leafstalk/ petiole attached to the stem. It will fall away on it's own after a few days.  I do this with all the ones i have that don't want to take a nap, in - ground and potted specimens..

That one and the seedling may respond to a little water ..applied around the inside edge of the pot  only..  but... I'd watch them carefully and use something like one of those retractable utility knives to scrape a tiny spot on the stems ..Not deep, but just under the gray-ish surface skin to see if the underlying tissue is green,  and / or bleeds a drop or two of latex..

Green / bleeds latex? = good,  but watch them carefully until they can get into sun / heat because they can still rot..

Would check the thicker sized plant < assuming it is a cutting??  > too by nicking the tip of one of the dormant leaves ..similar to  👇🏽




You should see a drop or two of Latex bleed from the nick..

If the tissue below the surface is brown, skinny plants esp. = not good. As skinny as they are, stem rot will take them out pretty easily if present.

 

[Zach K]

That is really helpful thank you!