It is common to see some inflos before leaves.

Hi Rick,
I would if me, rinse off the plant to get rid of the epsom salt residue ito your plant. I don't know anything about getting the salts directly on the plant, not sure if it burns or not..I personally don't use time release on the plants.

Next time, I would do it every couple months later. older plants 1 tblspoon to a gallon of water, water in. Some do dry around base of plant too, can water that in, Bill recommended that.

My opinion, On your Paul Weisssich, if a last year plant that grew with leaves, just water as normal, leaves will catch up with your plant. That one, seems to be an odd one. I cannot seem to get it to grow normal..ha trying a new cutting again this year. Lost mine last year. Determined to get that one to grow, good luck.

Karen B

I sprinkle it around the plant and work into the soil. You can dissolve it in water and water the plant. I have not foliar fed it by watering leaves and I think most directions say avoid putting on leaves, but I would think one shot would not do damage. BillI

I frequently foliar feed with epsom salt along with fertilizer. It has never caused a problem, and is probably the fastest way to get gorgeously green leaves.

Tony

kingbingo, Karen B, Bill, & Tony,
Thanks for chiming in. I was afraid that I might have to cut the inflos off so the plant's energy can be directed to leaf development. I'll just leave it alone. As far as the epsom salts, I guess there's two schools of thought. I got a little nervous about spraying the leaves so I hosed off the leaves with water. Now, I hope the soil will dry out because it's fairly wet. At least it's warm and sunny here, that should help. Tony, I read your post too late. Had I read it sooner, I wouldn't have rinsed the plants off. Do you use a hose and spray bottle attachment to apply the Epsom salts? The next time I'm not sure about something, I'll ask first.
Thank you all,
Rick

Hey Rick,
I just take an old spray bottle --such as one that had a hair spritz in it. Of course I make sure to rinse out all of the leftover in it. Then, I make up a two gallon mixture of fertilizer and about a tablespoon of epsom salt and poor the mixture into the bottle and spray. It should ideally be a very fine mist that comes out. No need to saturate.

Always foliar feed first thing in the morning before OR just as the sun is coming up. The second choice would be in early evening. This is the time when the stomata are open and the leaves will absorb the nutrients.

Tony

For what it's worth, I've read in many places that the undersides of leaves is where the plant takes in most of the foliar feed. So don't just spritz the topside.

I bought a tank sprayer specifically for foliar feeding. The angled wand helps me get the undersides of leaves much easier.

Ryan

I was wondering what type of fertilizer you are using and how often do you spray the epsom salt/fertilizer mixture on the plants? Do you feed only when there is leaves? Hope this does not sound too dumb, I am rather new to plumeria.

Hi Shirley,
The only question that is dumb, is the one that isn't asked. LOL!

In the beginning of the growing season, I use regular Miracle-Gro diluted to half of what is recommended, along with 1 teaspoon epsom salt per gallon. Contrary to what is popular, I am NOT a fan of bloom boosters with an outrageously high phosphorus #. I have experimented with them in the past, and I can tell that my plants looked sick.

As the season progresses, I switch to a balanced fertilizer called Sea Grow by Grow more. It's a 16-16-16. The epsom salt remains the same.

As far as foliar feeding goes, I think once a week is sufficient, but honestly I have sprayed more than that without ill effects.

I believe all parts of the plant can absorb the nutrients, but the bottom side of the leaves are most effective. If you have leaves that are rising, but haven't opened yet, you can spray them. It seems to help.

Tony

I do use the Bloom Booster fertilizer, but not every time. I rotate through using Schultz Bloom Booster (10-54-10), Organic Gem fish fertilizer (3-3-3), and a seaweed/kelp fertilizer. I've not used epsom salts yet, but plant to add them to my fertilizing routine at some point.

Ryan

Hello everyone,
Just thought i would chime in, this season I am going to try Jacks' (Kimi's Dad) tried and true mixture and see how it works for me. After seein the results he has obtained through many years of experimenting I believe it will work wonders. Check out his website and read through the articles if you havenÂt all ready very good info! I am quite new also so it was a great help just as this forum has been you guys are all great and thanks for the tips and tricks! Happy growing this year!
Sean

Here is Jacks site http://www.plumeriacareus.com/index.html

Oetager- I am using Jacks soil mix and I really like it so far. I am also using the growmore soluable plus cal/mag and I have really liked the healthy look of my plants this year. I have some massive inflo heads that I am waiting to see bloom. I am also foliar feeding with Maxi Cal and Spray-n-grow. Bill

Hi Bill,
That is gerat to hear, I would like to try out the soil mix as well but so far have come up short with the redwood he has said that fir would work as a replacement ill be looking out for that or something close. I found the coarse perlite and pumice but they are in hugh bags like 4 ft tall not sure on weight but they are BIG. Guess ill have plenty for a while. Next year ill go ahead and repot from the clay deco pots and place in nursery containers maybe 35 or 45 gal we will see which ones I can find, with the new soil. THanks for the input Bill!
Sean

Sean- What city are you located in and I guess what state. If you are in So.Cal. you can get all your stuff at Orange County Farm Supply in Orange, Ca. Jack and I both shop there although Jack has a cement mixer to mix the four parts. I use a grain scoop and several big trash cans. Bill

Im in San Antonio TX, not much redwood around here. What I have found has been stained or treated with various chemicals to be used just as mulch. I will have to check for the fir at some local nurserys but the ones we have here are quite small and dont cary much in the way of stuff like that. Ill check with them to see if they can order it maybe.
Sean