"Is my plumeria dead?" is a question posed by "Bugs on Plumeria Plants".
I decreased watering because my plumeria dropped all of its leaves.I waited to water until the soil was dry.I cut off the dead part of the top because it died recently.What would have caused this?Is it dead?
Is the bottom portion still firm when you squeeze?It is time to toss if it is all the way down.The pin test can be used to check for viability if you have a firm section.Clean the sewing pin with alcohol.It's living if the latex drips out.If I get latex, I start at the top and then puncture a few places down to the bottom to make sure it's alive.If it's alive fill the cut section with caulk to keep the water out.It will grow from buds at the top in about 3 months.I have sprouted up to four new limbs, but getting just one is great.If you have a surviving plumeria, you won't get any in Flos for 1-2 years.
It's hard to say what caused it, but sometimes it just happens.I've had plants that are healthy and vibrant.Sometimes they are not salvaged.
Maui Plumeria Gardens is a great place to try plumerias.Each cutting ordered by Doug is sent with a mystery cutting.I've asked him to hold the mysteries for several orders because my room has been so crowded.He sent me 10 mysteries to catch up on last orders.My plant room is crowded because it is all but one root.I'm thrilled that there are 5 in Flos on those 13 cuttings.Like everyone else, I keep finding room even though there's no more room for them.
Nancy: I punctured it with a paperclip and it didn't come out.I pushed it in until it stopped.The green cambium that I saw is a hopeful sign.
The pics are below.I don't know how old it is.It's 18 inches tall from the soil line.The winter temperature was about 60F.
Dave has been at it longer than I have, so I would wait for another expert to call.Maybe post a photo.I think it's time to say goodbye.
Looks good to me.Is it soft at the soil line?I wouldn't water until you start to see new growth or swelling around the top of the old leaf.
It looks good from a distance.The paper clip stick does not portend well.I wouldn't poke the stem with something as thick as a paper clip.You can get sewing pins at the dollar store.Work your way down from the top.If there is no latex in the top third, you want to cut it off immediately.You have to work your way down until you get to health tissue.Each time I use a new pin, I don't transfer rot to other parts of the plant.If you start getting latex, you should cut across the highest level of healthy tissue.If you have latex from the bottom up, chop off the rotted top and you will have a clean plant.New branches can be cut above a set of nodes.The cut portion should be caulked on top.If the only viable tissue you have is in the middle, you can still cut both ends.Throw out all the soil and the pot if it is a goner.Every day, you should check your plumeria stems and branches.
Remove all the rotten portions and allow an inch of healthy tissue to remain on the cut portion.Do more pinprick tests.The rot is like the flu.
I did a needle stick test and found latex in the root stock, so I think my plant is a goner.
So sorry.You gave everything you had.I hope you try again.It was touch and go for my first few.Lost 3 out of 20 to rot this winter, but got replacements at Maui Plumeria Gardens.