skip to main content

One of my three plumeria isn't doing well

6 years ago

It just started getting all droopy and unhappy a few weeks ago, and I noticed the trunk looks - well you can see in the pic. It also seems the branches cannot support the weight of the leaves, but also the entire plant looks....bad. Bit of a novice here, any suggestions are appreciated. I do fertilize it in spring and early summer. We live in Houston. Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

biedebach377
6 years ago
Appears very dehydrated. I've learned with 400+ plants in pots, that once they dry out in a pot, you have to really rehydrate them and i'm not talking with a hose ,but you need to soak the plant in a container of some type.

The brown is an old sunburn...don't worry about it.
Chris Evans
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks! Suggestons on how to rehydrate it? (My 5-year old just said to give it gatorade).
0
Related Discussions
Help, My Recurve Privet Isn't Doing So Well
Q
Comments (3)
Leaf spot disease of ligustrum is VERY common. Cercospora spp. or Pseudocercospora are the offending pathogens. Though the occurance of this fungal disorder can largely be prevented, it might require chemical intervention now that your plants are in trouble. Ligustrum only seems to become infected if they are planted in a location that they don't like....the most limiting factor is sunlight. I respectfully disagree with butterfly 's suggestion that these plants need a lot of water....they do not. They are highly successful in xeriscaping, readily adapting to life in hot, dry, sunny locations. I consider ligustrum suitable for those HOT, nonirrigated parking lot islands. Please call or visit your local extension office for chemical recommendations for Cercospora of Ligustrum. You will be able to find something appropriate at one of your garden centers. Mulch the plants and watery them until they are established. After that, let them be.
...See More
Help! My Garden Isn't Doing Well
Q
Comments (13)
If you are planning to add more organic matter, you should certainly make sure whatever you are adding is neutral pH or even slightly acidic to help your pH problem. But since you have a lot of organic matter already, I would concentrate on fixing the pH problem as a top priority. Just yesterday I used some soluble aluminum sulfate on some acid loving plants. It said you can dissolve it in water to use for container plants as well. Since we are having drought I did that for some shrubs. 1 Tbsp per gallon. You might want to find a small bag of this and use it for watering to see if it helps your plant growth. You can also use cheap distilled vinegar, diluted in a bucket. Only takes 1/4 cup per bucket to bring the pH down. It's probably the most temporary but since you're in the growing season, fast results are important. Sulfur is a good idea too, but it works more slowly since it is not soluble AND has to be metabolized into acid before it does any good. Sulfur is a good thing to dig into the entire bed before planting, or in the fall after your garden is done so it can cook during the winter and hopefully adjust the pH a bit. If anyone here has comments on the above, please chime in.
...See More
Still traveling, and my dog isn't well...
Q
Comments (32)
Thank you everyone for your care, concern, and for checking in. Luna seems to be feeing a little bit better today (at this moment). She's going in and out of having more/less energy. I'm still getting smiles, tailwags, and a little interest in playing with her favorite ball/duck at certain times but she doesn't have her usual vim and vigor. I asked her if she wanted a treat, and she stood right up and looked around for it, so that's good. (That wasn't the case two days ago.) Her coat hasn't changed and her gums look okay, so it doesn't seem like she's bleeding internally. She's beginning to act like she first did before when she was diagnosed with cancer, although nothing seems dire at this point. Of course we'll take her to a vet, when her condition requires it. Right now, I really believe they won't tell me anything I don't already know. The vet only gave her three months to live last May, so I feel like she's beaten the odds to be here almost a year later. At this moment, anything I can do to make her happy is hers. I'm glad she's here with us too. I wouldn't have it any other way!
...See More
What is and isn't doing well in your garden?
Q
Comments (27)
Almost every single thing has done beautifully this year. Flowers have been exceptional...echinacea, daylilies, gaura, zinnias, salvia, etc. All the veggies are doing well except the okra! It would be fine except in the spring, a raccoon (we presume) plucked almost every seedling, put them in a pile at the end of the row. I replanted but for some reason, most of the seeds didn’t germinate. So I don’t have many plants and some are way behind the original few that survived. So I have had to supplement my pitiful harvest with farmer’s market purchases. We were on vacation when the dreaded June beetles hit, so some of my flowers look a bit ragged but otherwise are surviving. And I have to give up a bit of low hanging fruit to the possums and raccoons that raid the tomatoes all the time. They never bother the cherry tomatoes though.
...See More
biedebach377
6 years ago
Fill up large basin with water and place pot into it...let plant soak up water from the bottom up for 30-60 minutes (can add fert to water as well). If it has been in that pot for many years, it is likely really root bound which prevents it from being rehydrated with water applied from the top down.

With my root bound plants, i also use a nice long knitting needle to aerate the tight root ball which will also help.
PRO
the_first_kms2
6 years ago
It looks like sunburn is possibly caused by the sunlight reflecting off the inside of the container. I agree its nothing to worry about now.

I'm not seeing a lot of roots along the soil surface. By itself it's not a direct indicator of anything. The soil mix looks relatively new or it was recently top dressed. Are there any drainage issues such as the container drains being blocked? Certainly not discounting it but it's Hard to imagine if this started a few weeks ago and you are in Houston that its a lack of water.

I recommend you lay the plant down, check your drain holes, and slide it out of the container to see what is going on. You can then take the opportunity to back fill and raise the plant up in the container.
Chris Evans
Original Author
6 years ago
I've been doing a slow, trickling soak over the past day and the plant looks much better already. Thanks for the help!
0

Related Stories

FUN HOUZZ What You Do When There’s No One Around

By Karen Bofinger

Ice cream binges, air guitar concerts, napping in the closet. Houzzers worldwide disclose their quirky secret indulgences

DECORATING GUIDES 1980s Decor Trends That Are Worth Reviving (and One That Isn’t)

By Amanda Pollard

Florals, pastels, geometrics and two-toned toilets — which of these past looks are you happy to see again?

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS When One Countertop Material Isn’t Enough

By Louise O'Bryan

Combining counter materials in the kitchen can create a dramatic look, improve function and stretch the budget

MODERN STYLE Houzz Tour: Three Apartments Now a Three-Story Home

By Luisa Rollenhagen

A grand new staircase unifies a sophisticated, industrial-tinged London townhouse

KITCHEN DESIGN 12 Great Kitchen Styles — Which One’s for You?

By Sheila Schmitz

Sometimes you can be surprised by the kitchen style that really calls to you. The proof is in the pictures

FEEL-GOOD HOME The Anti-To-Do List: 10 Things You Don’t Need to Be Doing

By Laura Gaskill

Aren’t you busy enough? Give yourself a break and consider letting these tasks go

WORKING WITH PROS What Do Landscape Architects Do?

By Falon Mihalic

There are many misconceptions about what landscape architects do. Learn what they bring to a project

DECLUTTERING How to Go Through a Deceased Loved One’s Belongings

By Tailorly, Professional Home Organizing

A professional organizer offers sensitive and practical advice on sorting through a loved one’s things

HOUSEPLANTS One Pot, One Big Shot of the Tropics

By creative jewish mom.com

Give your rooms exotic flair in a single stroke. Tall Kentia palm fits the tropical bill beautifully

APARTMENTS Houzz Tour: Well-Loved, Well-Used and Homemade in Denmark

By Kasper Iversen

The art, the heirlooms, the jeweler’s castoff display case — everything in this family’s apartment has a story

Sponsored

More Discussions

My Plumeria tree is it sick?

1

How to save my plumeria?

6