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Plumeria problem

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I’m seeing leaves on 3 of my Plumeria‘s where a lower leaf suddenly turns yellow overnight. I pull off the yellow leaf and the next day another lower leaf is affected. Today one of the leaves was yellow green and then reddish brown on top of the leaf. I fertilize with Plumeria food every 2-3 weeks. I do not see any moving bugs. I do see aine or 2 very small white crusty areas under the leaf. Any suggestions on what is causing this? I

live in Houstin zone 9. Thanks

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Comments (4)

PRO
the_first_kms2
5 years ago
Strictly based on the image above too dry is my first thought...followed closely by fertilizer build up in the soil.

What does the entire plant look like, container size, etc. and what do the branch tip(s) look like?
luvpatch2
Original Author
5 years ago
Hi! One plant is in a very large maybe 15 gallon? Pot. The other is in a smaller 3 gallon. I think the tips look okay. There is some discoloration on stem if larger one. I have had problems with scales last summer. Treated with Hort Oil and been Oil several times last summer. I sprayed all my plumerias with Hort oil again in March and again in May . There are no yellow leaves this morning on the large Plumeria and very slight yellowing beginning on on 2 leaves if the smaller one. Don’t know what’s going on in the stem On the 3rd picture? Thanks for your suggestions!
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Comments (10)
Hello! I agree, in the initial inspection of the photo it appears to be burn of some kind. That could be sunlight reflecting and/ or pesticide - especially with 2 applications back to back, hard to say. BUT, what you should be most concerned with are how the new leaves look, more so than the old. It is natural for your leaves to yellow and fall off, especially the oldest ones. But if you feel it's doing it at an alarming rate, then I would say it could be too much water. (or if you saw the new ones yellowing or falling) I notice you have saucers under your pots too, that will hold excess water you don't want. The soil in the little seedling looks very wet - had you just watered? Don't be afraid to check your soil, check your roots. Is your plant root bound? Is your soil well draining? What are your temps like right now? At this point it's hard to say too much or not enough water, but you can find out quickly by checking your soil. Your leaves are a tad drooped , so I would say not enough, and your leaves look really good other then the droop & the burn spots. The temporary move could be a big factor like the others have mentioned. Check them out & let us know & we can go from there!
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Comments (2)
Could be mites. If you nudge the black dots with your fingernail and they start moving, they're mites. Also, the older leaves sometimes yellow before they fall off. It's a natural process. How old are those leaves that are yellowing? Are they from winter time or are they new? Once the plant gets really growing, I wouldn't worry about leaves so much-- unless they all fall off at once -- in which case it's probably stress from something -- too cold, too wet, really bad bugs, improperly applied bug repellents, etc.. But I'd treat for mites if they're there. Don't treat in full sun or in heat of the day. Better to treat either early morning or later in evening. Even a regular hard spray of water will help deter mites...like every day or so. Hope others will chime in.
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Comments (16)
Hi Aniketa, That is a sunburn. The reason it sunburned is because the trunk is less than 4" from the wall of the clay pot and the reflection radiation from the wall to the trunk is very strong. What happens when the sun shines on both, radiation from the pot wall hits the same spot on the trunk that the sun in shinning on. The direct radiation from the sun on the trunk is additive with the reflective radiation from the clay pot to the trunk. As a result, the section where the two radiations are additive overheats and gets sunburned. This is why the trunk got sunburn from the soil line to the top of the clay pot. To prevent this, wrap the trunk with aluminum foil to just above the lip of the pot, or paint the trunk white, or pot the plumeria higher up in the pot so there is little lip showing and place the trunk in the center of the pot. Aniketa, I am the research director of the Plumeria Society of America. I am writing an article, about sunburning of plumerias and how to avoid it, to appear in the January issue of Plumeria Potpouri. I would like to use your picture as an example of how plumerias can sunburn. Can you please send me the picture in my E-mail address : ghadjigeorge@comcast.net . I would really appreciate it. Thanks, George
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Comments (2)
The white roots are a good sign. I say to leave it be and watch very closely. If you see further damage or wrinkling then it may be time to reevaluate what to do next.
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PRO
the_first_kms2
5 years ago
It is possible the horticultural oil burned the older leaves if it was applied during full sun heat of the day. I still think it is too dry and possibly over fertilized. It might be a good idea to leach the salts out of the soil and/or do a soil refresh.

I would not do anything related to the 3rd image. I have a few of those on various plants and it does not appear to be a problem.
luvpatch2 thanked the_first_kms2
luvpatch2
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks so much! I applied the hortoil at 8PM at dusk so I don't think its that. I will refresh the soil.

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