Leaf drop entering into Summer, is this normal?

6 years ago

Hello. I got a plumeria late last summer so I'm very new to all this. During the winter I kept my plumeria in a well lite room and only watered when it was dry but my mistake was giving it a good drink instead of just a little.Here in Toronto, I was expecting the plant to drop all its leaves but it didn't. It kept a full set of leaves.The plant is healthy and when I repotted it a month ago it, as it was root bound, I didn't see any signs of rot. However now that it is just starting to reach 20C during the day here all the leaves are now turning yellow and dropping... is this normal? I have not changed the room it is in and the sun level are the same so its not leaf burn.

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the_first_kms2

6 years ago

Ah...a fussy Singapore. If we were to do a root cause analysis of this issue it would be the best explanation to offer and we could leave it at that but since I accepted the challenge 7 years ago from my friend Jandy to grow a healthy Singapore Obtusa in Central TX I can't walk away from the fight until its won.

Its possible that its natural defoliation of old leaves but that is generally from the bottom up with most Plumeria. This seems more random so look for signs of sucking insects such as thrip or spider mites and treat if needed. Then observe if the issue is resolved.

The branch tip shown looks like it may be recovering nicely from some black tip which may also be an indicator of insect damage. Some people think it's also an indicator of over watering a Singapore although my experience has shown they will black tip in wet or bone dry conditions. I think it's mostly cool conditions but a combination of cool and wet will be a problem. They like lots of heat. You recently up potted it so it could be related to soil temps are staying cooler than before. Can you place the container on a heat mat and/or wrap it to warm up the ceramic container?

This may sound counter intuitive but you said you were giving it a "good drink" and it had lots of roots. While you didn't define those roots as healthy and viable I am going to assume they are for the sake of this observation. So now you are not watering as much and leaves are falling off. To me it does not have the look of under-watering as of yet but it's just something else to consider.

In this instance there really isn't a definitive answer I can give you but I hope the troubleshooting suggestions help.

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Comments (13)

Marc
6 years ago
The normal cycle for Plumeria's is they do what you described what your plant is doing in the fall before going dormant for the winter. When your plant is in that stage, it's wise to cut down watering drastically and even ok to stop all together when it's dormant. Then come spring time repot, water one good time and don't water again until you see leaves.

Squeeze the stalk at ground level. If it's mushy, then you have root rot and your plant is dying. It can be saved but it will require you to cut out the bad and start over. If it's still solid then do not water again until the soil has dried out. Add a tbls of Epsom salt to a gallon of water then water your plant.
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the_first_kms2
6 years ago
Hard to say without pictures. Were the bottom most leaves yellowing and falling off first? How does the branch tip(s) look? Are they producing?
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Ashley
Original Author
6 years ago

The stem is completely firm, no sign of tort but the leaves falling off are not just from the bottom. I'm not overwatering, I use a moisture meter to test how dry the soil is before watering again. It's in cactus soil.
katiedolittle
6 years ago
Hi Ashley I had one do the same thing this year dropped all leaves I think first_kms correct about it having a small case of black tip may have got a little cold if it were mine I would just watch it for a while and see if it puts on new leaves

roger
Ashley
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Hello everyone, thank you for your replies! Figures I get the fussy species of plumeria. I tend to attract drama into my life :p

I have not noticed any insects but i bought a insecticide and gave it a sprits and I will monitor it. When I repotted the plant the roots were nice a healthy, no sign of rot so not sure whats up. It's probably a combination of a few things. I have now placed it outside where it's nice and warm and will getting morning and afternoon sun. It was in a sunny window (afternoon sun) during winter so i'm not too worried that its too much light.

As I mentioned plumerias were new to me and I had no idea what to do with them. So come fall i'll put them in my basement where its cool, minimal light, and allow it to go into dormancy and will not water. I just have my fingers crossed I may get even a few flowers this year.

She's making friends with the Venus fly trap. Maybe they will have a symbiotic relationship where all the damaging insects will be attracted to the venus and consumed whole.... one can only hope lol. >:)
katiedolittle
6 years ago
HI Ashley I would put back where you had it last year the Singapore obtuse don't like to go dormant main thing is keep it warm you may try putting it on a heating pad when it gets cold. cool & damp is what causes it to get black tip
Ashley
Original Author
6 years ago
Ok, so no to dormancy. Should I stop watering it too when fall comes? Or just very little water?
katiedolittle
6 years ago
Just very little water
Ashley
Original Author
6 years ago

This is one sad looking plant, lol! It has continued to drop leaves and there is no infestiation of bugs so I don't know what's it's deal.

Also, if the tip where the new growth comes from suppose to look dark brown?
PRO
the_first_kms2
6 years ago
The tip looks good to me. Its just being poky.
Ashley
Original Author
6 years ago

So it’s blooming. All I did was put it in the sun and I literally forgot about it. Didn’t water it, nothing.... looks like it worked.
PRO
the_first_kms2
6 years ago
LOL, Typical passive aggressive Singapore behavior. Great to see it producing blooms. thanks for the update

Leaf drop entering into Summer, is this normal?

the_first_kms2

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Marc

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