Last updated on 1.6.2010
Welcome to PlumeriaTC.org.
Happy New Year. Although quiet, there has been some progress made during 2009. Check out the seed link under TC to see how Plumeria 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.