Last updated on 8.24.2010
Welcome to PlumeriaTC.org.
Updates. Still quiet and this is the year that TC has drawn to a close for me, at least in the lab and with the little ones in the culture vessels. Apart from viewing how storage (how long do they store before giving up?) is with the "mix", there is no work with the culture vessels from me, even though there are multiples which have rooted and there is upon the dark media many which are ready to be removed and placed ex-vitro. However, as the greenhouse pic below shows, there is no more room and I have learned about all I can with the current facilities. If you are just starting out remember to look at the pamphlet on Lulu.com, link further down in this page.
Plumeria stenopetala - It would have been something to get these distributed out more than I have been able to and they now are showing how they deal with mites too. Fortunately the three which were moved outdoors were self-corrected while the remaining ones which were moved into the grow hood really were and are picked upon. Treated they may come out of it mite free but that is a long shot. Knowing that I don't have much room, everything extra is being "utilized" to see what happens to what.
Sad note on the Costa Rican plumerias. All of them succumbed to the fungus which goes through the vascular system and hit not only them but P. rubra as well. Why the distinction in species? Perhaps they, the Costa Ricans, are a little bit different and the highland species which aren't giant at all, and which are more like those we all recognize as P. rubra, are closer in genotype to the hybrids we know and love than the giants. For the most part the hybrids suffer from the fungus but take a stand further down the stem, regrowing from that part. This is an area where my research is hopefully going to continue to grow and hopefully provide insight to others.
What is the dark media? An ingredient which is used in orchid culture works well for plumerias too and although I have worked with it before, it took another to mention it to me before I moved past my stubborn streak. Some rooted in the "mix", it just isn't as abundant.
Previous year - Although quiet, there has been some progress made during 2009. Check out the seed link under TC to see how P. stenopetala continues. There are now 16 individuals ex-vitro and many more waiting to join them. Adult tissue too continues to show promise and now that there is enough "yellow" tissue up and growing, some comparisons can be made to ascertain whether a slight pH decrease does indeed help encourage abundant shoot proliferation. Sometimes, perhaps, "ideal" pH levels are in the eye of the beholder, and depending upon whether you want pretty plants or shoot proliferation, well... See adult images and the "not quite 50/50 mix" section to see what I'm talking about. The page also demonstrates how plumeria can be stored (needing no attention) for over a year with no problem.
As I have indicated to others, 2009 was my last year dedicated to more or less full-time tissue culture of plumeria. Although I do intend to continue to subculture some tissue, for the most part I am not going to be doing a great deal of tissue culture. I have been contacted by a few seeking advice and hope that whatever given has proven fruitful. I wish to express my gratitude to those who have contacted, especially those who have provided updates on how their progress has been and from the sounds of it, for certain areas of the world, this is really taking off, which is great! Although my forceps and scalpel will be mostly retired I most definitely will be available if help is needed.
This image, taken a few weeks ago in December of 2009, demonstrates how the tissue culture plants are doing versus seed germinated from Costa Rica and other seed given to me by friends who were given that by others out of Australia. Although they are all P. rubra, they sure do show some differences and tolerances to environment. Those lined up on the left, mostly with still healthy leaves, are tissue culture plants. Those on the right which look like they are suffering are the ones from Costa Rica. The healthy ones mixed in there are the ones from Australia. Wild-type (Costa Rican giants) versus hybridized. The greenhouse, at canopy level for these guys, lowest temp 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
For those who have visited and contacted me regarding how to do tissue culture of plumeria, there is a pamphlet posted on Lulu.com, which provides for all that and recent discoveries, or at least some. Although it won't answer all questions it is hoped that it will help. If you want to check out: This isn't the answer, but it may help: About plumeria tissue culture. If you read about a slide show, see the jumping plant at the bottom of site.
Black tip returned for yet another year of fun in 2009. Check out the mite pages to see how things went.
I've noticed that I've been mentioned as being an "Entomologist" by others in printed material. Please do understand all who read these materials that although I do study Acari, I am most definitely not qualified for that label. Acarology is what I am studying when I am concentrating upon the mites which continue to fascinate me but by all means I am NOT, other than hobby, a professional and with a degree in Entomology. I am a student of the field though, starting at the beginning of this decade and continue I am, following those things which intrigue me.
There are some interesting things to be learned from tissue culture scraps. If you have never picked up that scalpel beyond multiplication, check it out. Anthocyan producing cells. Red pigments which are similar to rubies. See TC Scraps if you are curious.
A note to fellow tissue culture enthusiasts. The site details and discusses the methods to sterilize both adult and seedling tissue. Media formulation for the adult tissue is still ongoing but various mixes tested are provided. Slow adult tissue growth which was presented in the paper published in 2005 presented the reason for ongoing research and attempts to speed up the slow growth observed prior to 2007. For further information please refer to Vol. 55 of the Combined Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators' Society: The Microprogation and Reintroduction into an Open Environment of Sterile Plumeria rubra Adult and Seedling Tissue.
I've noticed that the six-spotted mite is one of the main draws to the site and for myself continues to be of interest and for study. In 2007 more things were learned in regards to them (see ongoing research) and 2008 did provide more background and information as to local secondary hosts of these mites and their method of transportation to potted plants. Now for the fun part of this research and why I still mention this stuff, I get to bike ride this upcoming season because these little beasties are all over the hills here, one just needs to know which plants to look upon. There's a tale of trails around here, Biking Ophir to find out what I'm talking about. Someone, somewhere, not sure. JAB.