Successfully Growing Plumerias with Suzanne Hetrick

Learn all you need to know about how to successfully grow beautiful, fragrant plumerias, from our lead horticulturist, Suzanne.

[@SurfbumCocoaBeach]

I recently planted a Scott Pratt red cutting in a 3 gallon pot… It’s going to flower before it finishes developing the leaves. It’s been about 2months. I took the cutting from a mature trees new growth tips. The branch was in full grow mode.

[@sandradavidson8817]

all of my frangipani's flower before they get leaves but it very warm where I live.

[@dianesamson22]

Actually the Mount Dora craft and plant sale was in November of 2023. The plumeria merchant told me to plant each cutting in a gallon pot with moist sand,water once and not again until leaves for 6 months no water.

[@lrod4374]

I learned a lot. Thanks!

[@rico99586]

There are varieties of plumera in that the blossoms do not fully open. Mine that don't fully open are from seed but are red, white, and yellow swirls. The great thing about growing from seed is that the color, aroma, and shape of petals are always a surprise, BUT takes 2-4 years in a warm place like Florida before the first blooms, and the plant only branches at the blooming spot, they never (very very rarely) will force bloom where a branch will just pop out of the trunk or branch. Usually San Germains. Growing from seed is where they derive the new colors and varieties, and they can be valuable if sold to a nursery who will then have a new variety that no one else has, and they charge accordingly. Also as far as cutting a branch (@ about 6:08 oh the video), she suggests cutting at the joint, not further up. She said the stub will probably fall off. That is wrong. To make the plant look more bonsai or balanced, cut wherever you feel more bushy growth would look best. The stub will ALWAYS get between 1 and 6 new branches, usually about 3. The one you cut off can be replanted as a separate tree. I have been raising plumerias in Hawaii, and now in Florida for 57 years, and learned the old school way, trial and error, before the internet.

[@MLife1000]

Thank you Richard 🙏

[@francescamocerithibert2937]

Thankyou so much for your great help about plumeria i love this plannt i live in Canada so they go dorment for the winter i a white and a red one now they are to big and i would like to cut them down and make a nice pot with white and red together ❤

[@MLife1000]

Thank you

[@johnnymarkovich1419]

Love plumeria

[@dianesamson22]

Bought footlong cuttings from Mount Dora and have been rooting in sand with black kow manure 1 gallon pots 2 of them since January with less than monthly watering until March. Due to heat in Ocala Florida I put them on a plant table under a canopy and watered it now in April. No leaves yet. How long until they wake up?

[@tonytremonti9296]

I don't believe any of those plumeria were in FULL BLAZING sun prior to the making of this video. Those in the blue pots look like Jungle Jacks, which would have come from a greenhouse. They would fry in full sun because of A) the small roots and B) the leaves aren't accustomed to full sun. In so cal, (inland) best quality leaves and flowers are morning sun and dappled light after that. Coastal areas can take full sun. Be honest! Thanks!

[@Cutecat689]

We got our plumeria when it was less than a meter tall and my partner put it directly on the soil in full sun. I swear it survived

[@caseymajor1819]

@@Cutecat689 literally what I did a couple months ago.

[@judypeterson5976]

Looking at the big pot behind you, so it is OK to plant multiple stocks in a single big pot?

[@slong1688]

How long does plant start to flower from cutting

[@c.k527]

All the leaves on my plumeria have fallen off. Is this common for them to do this and will the leaves grow back?

[@meggieschultz9828]

How about using a soilless mix. Pine bark, spaghum moss, perlite, worm casting?

[@libertyforme4336]

I moved my Rubras inside: one has not lost leaves- the larger has sliwly lost them after the tips turn brown or black? Whats happened?

[@harryistre1617]

I’m new to put Mario’s and mine has brown spots on the leaves could you tell me what’s in my watering it too much or not thank you

[@mariamorris1807]

I was advised to water plumerias in winter once a month that way the roots won't dye and the plants wake up faster. Is that correct?

[@kathijo50]

I grew a purple plumeria from a seed. I bought 10 seeds one has survived. I have been nursing it along for about 6 years. Finally last year here in So. Cal it finally gave me an inflo and started to give a flower, but it was right before winter in late Oct. and it never showed. This year no inflo in September. How can I promote an inflo?

[@fannyasilberman7373]

Would Miracle Grows Cactus, palm and citrus potting mix be ok to use on a stem that has small/short roots so far on the stem and 2 leaves already on it? I got it from my neighbor this way. Going to plant it into a big 14ish inch pot that's deep (roughly the size of your white pot that is behind you in the video). I live in Southern California so you mentioned fun sun is ok, would this apply for this type of stem (it's about 7-8 inches long maybe) also since the root system hasn't been established yet fully.

[@hotglasschick]

Yes. Cactus mix is fine. In fact, she even mentions it in the video.

[@carolynsmith317]

Just watched your video....how do you treat rust?

[@barbie-fz4oo]

I live in Thailand. I have 3 plumeria trees that bloom and drop leaves every 2 weeks almost continuously. As long as I've lived in this house, it's been doing this. I'm talking tons of leaves and blooms on the ground every week. But they don't not die. They just do this everyday, every year. What can i do to get them more healthy?

[@reginamcginn7728]

My plumeria is showing rust infection on its leaves - what do I need to do to get it healthy

[@judybullock6739]

Great show but couldn’t see the fertilizers as you didn’t really show them. Help please, I need the right type here in AZ! Thanks

[@RogersGardensCDM]

Hello and thank you for inquiring with Roger's Gardens, For plumeria, we recommend either Down To Earth Rose & Flower, once a month or Grow More's Sea Grow for Flower & Bloom. You can use it once a month as recommended or dilute it and use it once a week to push your plants a little. We look forward to your next visit, Suzanne

[@kimnoblesouthwestfloridare7503]

I use EXCALIBUR from Florida Colors. It’s made for plumerias.

[@williamlewis4379]

Suzanne, thanks for your informative presentation. What are your thoughts on the Kauka Wilder plumeria? Do you recommend adding worm castings to the soil? And lastly, the uses of using a neem oil spray to protect from the spider mite, etc. Thanks

[@RogersGardensCDM]

Kauka Wilder is a lovely plumeria, I feel that plumerias are a little like roses, each of us has a preference for color and sometimes, rarity. As for worm castings, yes. They are always a good addition to soil but since they also help with whiteflies (which can sometimes be a nuisance with plumerias) I'd say, go ahead and add it as a top dressing. Neem can be helpful but use it with caution if it's very hot/sunny. It could easily burn the leaves so lightly spray any problem areas in the early evening and let it do its work at night. We look forward to your next visit, Suzanne

[@alexishernandez9548]

Hi Suzanne, when pruning a plumeria how long does it take the new growth to bloom?

[@ronzac55]

Every plumeria branch has different growth cycle. I lived in Indonesia whereby our soil is made of volcanic soil and lots of sun. For me, it would bloom in 6 months after i planted a cut. But it also depends on how well you taka care of it. Fertiliser, low amount of water and sunlight are keys

[@marciacole6810]

How often should you water them

[@Lzli2]

How deep and wide does a plumeria root system get? Can it be planted in a tight space? Close to a block wall?

[@ronzac55]

You shouldn't do that because once plumeria grow, it can grow big and thick like a normal tree. I live in Indonesia and we got plumerias that kinda destroy the concrete pavement. Or even plumeria that destroys the swimming pool wall. So don't plant it right next to a wall. I would recommend to just plant it in a pot and keep it small if the space is too confined.

[@liliaduran359]

I have a young plumeria plant I bought in the summer, it's about 4 ft tall and blooming, I few days ago I brought it indoors due to temperatures dropping in the 30's, today I noticed the bottom leaves curling and turning yellow, can you help?

[@ronzac55]

Just let it be like that. It will adjust. You don't need to water them or worry about it. what you did was already good. When the temperature suddenly dropped, it's best to keep it indoor near the window or a heater.

[@vidyayinirajendra5383]

👏👌👍🌿🌹🌹🌹

[@npaujbais]

Question, please?!!!! I didn't water my plumerias in March. We're in late July, my plumerias aren't flowering, can I give it fertilizer?

[@sarahhalik5565]

I would try fertilizing it. I use Nelson’s Plumeria Plant Food. It’s around $20 on Amazon. Just because it’s not flowering doesn’t mean it’s dying or sick. It might just be hungry, lol. Good luck!

[@stevehirsch8413]

Good information but half the video was frozen...

[@onetwocue]

Partially opened flowers? Sounds more like whatever cultivar/hybrid you have more than a pest issue. It's best to buy one in full bloom or a named cultivar/hybrid. So you know what you're getting.

[@fujifooj3265]

Please help, I live in Thailand so it's hot year round and gets a lot of direct sun. Many of my baby leaves are turning yellow, plant is well drained.

[@joegarza3445]

MAYBE YOU’RE GIVING IT TOO MUCH WATER, GIVE IT A LITTLE WATER A COUPLE HOURS BEFORE THE SUN GOES DOWN, ON HOT DAYS, ALSO GIVE IT MORE WATER EARLY IN THE MORNING RIGHT BEFOR ETHE SUN COMES UP ON HOT DAYS, ON COOL DAYS GIVE IT VERY LITTLE WATER, AT NIGHT VERY LITTLE, TO NONE.

[@connywright8217]

The best way to keep Plumeria small 5 or 6ft?

[@nats6190]

Plumeria varieties each grow at different rates and reach different maximum heights. Most of the inexpensive cuttings that are readily available will eventually become tall trees. If you want a smaller plumeria, look for a variety that's listed as a "dwarf" or "compact" grower.

[@krishrao7338]

Can I leave the container in the open exposed to rain?

[@ronzac55]

Yes you can! But make sure the draining system of the pot is good. If it's too rainy, you should move it and put it under your patio roof. Rain water won't damage plumeria but it can discourage the plant to produce flower spikes.

[@joegarza3445]

WHEN FERTILIZING, ALWAYS REMEBER LESS IS MORE, IF YOU FERTALIZE TOO MUCH THE PLANT WILL GET SPOILED, AND NOT PRODUCE FLOWERS TO WELL, TO NOT AT ALL, KICK IN A TAD.MORE FERTALIZER ON THE HOTTEST DAYS ONLY, AND ONLY WHEN THE SOIL IS DRY.

[@BigOHavingFun]

I don’t see the links

[@RogersGardensCDM]

The links were on on the live feed on our social media pages, Facebook or Instagram.

[@0610tvj]

Didn't answer the question about pests, only said keep hydrated which can't be the answer. She's holding a spay bottle but didn't tell us what it is and his often to use.

[@indiancruise12]

My plumeria produced a flower head but they all died

[@Gtumrths]

Can the leaves get sunburn?

[@hillarybroder]

my leaves are not a good healthy green.

[@dewaynehill2127]

You need a better camera

[@philantemalone9675]

Ylthey have been in lapd for.10000 years