Plumeria doesn’t bloom if it doesn’t get adequate sunlight. Plumeria also fails to bloom if the soil doesn’t have enough Phosphorous content. Plumeria also doesn’t bloom if the plant is overwatered. Plumeria also doesn’t flower if there’s a severe infestation of Thrips, Aphids, or Mealybugs.
Plumeria is grown for its beautiful flowers. The plants make for great container plants if you live in a cold climate.
Plumeria plants can be grown in gardens if you live in warmer locations. The flowers give out a nice fragrance.
Plumeria thrives in USDA Zones 9-11, thanks to the warmer conditions. Can you imagine a Plumeria that doesn’t bloom?
I know it hurts to have such a plant. In this article, we shall discuss the reasons why Plumeria fails to bloom and the ways to fix it.
Lack of sunlight in Plumeria
Plumeria tree fails to blossom if it doesn’t get adequate sunlight. Plumeria needs at least 6 hours of sunlight to bloom.
Your Plumeria only flowers when the days get longer, rays more intense. This usually happens from mid-April to late August.
Sunlight is the most crucial factor that influences flowering in plants. This is the reason why you need to decide the planting location carefully.
Red wavelengths in sunlight trigger the blossom hormones in Plumeria. This is why sunlight is important for blossoming in Plumeria.
The full sun doesn’t bother Plumeria. In fact, the sunnier the location, the better your Plumeria will thrive.
If you are growing the plant indoors, place it near a window where it gets bright sunlight for at least 6 hours a day.
When should I fertilize my Plumeria?
Fertilize your Plumeria during spring and summer. In summer, Plumeria needs fortnightly doses of high P fertilizer(10-52-10).
Applying fertilizer from late spring to late summer ensures that the plant produces plentiful blossoms.
You can ensure blooming in Plumeria by feeding your plant once a month from late April to August. Use appropriate fertilizer.
What is the best fertilizer for Plumerias?
A fertilizer that has a high Phosphorous ratio is good for your Plumerias. A 10-50-10 formulation would work wonders.
Any fertilizer that’s specially made for blossoming can be used.
Is Miracle Grow good for plumeria?
Miracle GRO Bloom Booster Flower Food is a great fertilizer for your Plumeria. One can encourage blooming by adding this fertilizer to the soil.
Mix 1 tablespoon of this fertilizer in a gallon of water for the best results.
Are coffee grounds good for Plumeria?
Coffee grounds increase the acidity in the soil. Plumeria prefers slightly acidic soil. The pH needs to be between 6.5 -7.0.
Check the soil with a pH meter and add coffee grounds to the soil if it’s alkaline/neutral.
Are eggshells good for Plumerias?
Powdered eggshells are good for Plumerias. Powdered eggshells work as a slow-release fertilizer. You can add it to the soil anytime in the growing season.
Tip: Adding high ‘N’ fertilizer would only promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers!
Prune your Plumeria!
Pruning your Plumeria at the right time is crucial to encourage blossoms. Prune only in the winter or early spring.
Pruning Plumeria in any other season has adverse effects on the blooming cycle. Be careful when pruning your Plumeria as the sap can harm you.
Pruning dead/diseased branches of Plumeria can be done at any time of the year, it won’t harm your plant.
You may want to prune off the dead branches of Plumeria using a sterilized pair of pruning shears. You can use a sharp knife for smaller branches.
When cutting diseased/infected branches of Plumeria, observe the branch after cutting it. Does it ooze out any white sap?
If it does, then fine. If it doesn’t then you need to cut it till you see the healthy part of the stem. This prevents severe infection in your tree.
Are the stems not old enough?
Plumeria also doesn’t bloom if the stems are not old enough. Young plants or stems that have been pruned recently take some time to blossom.
Cut stems need time to grow back fully. This is one of the reasons why you shouldn’t be aggressive when pruning your Plumeria.
You just need to wait if you think that the stems are just not old enough. Blossoms may form on stems that are a year old.
The cut parts of the stem only give out flowers after two years of pruning it. So, wait patiently and you might see blossoms.
New sprouts will not bloom until they get established for 2-3 years.
Insect infestation in Plumeria
A severe infestation of Thrips, Mealybugs, and Aphids can cause the buds to wither and drop off the Plumeria.
These insects cause leaf curling and reduce the overall vigor of Plumeria. These insects also feed on the buds causing them to drop off.
A large infestation could also lead to total blossom failure. Identify these insect pests earlier by hanging yellow, sticky cards around your Plumeria.
How to get rid of sap-sucking insects on Plumeria
- Prune off the branches of Plumeria on which you see these insects. If you do this early, this alone can prevent an outbreak.
- Spray water on the affected parts of Plumeria to dislodge these insects.
- Wipe off these insects using a cotton swab that’s dipped in rubbing alochol.
- Spray Neem oil on the branches where you see insects to eliminate them efficiently.
- If the infestation is severe, spray insecticidal soap on the affected branches of Plumeria. Several sprays may be needed to eliminate the insects completely.
Plumeria buds falling off?
Plumeria buds fall off due to blacktip fungus disease. Plumeria buds could also fall off due to severe insect infestation. Plumeria buds also fall off when the plant is exposed to frost. Plumeria buds also fall off when the plant is overwatered.
In the case of blacktip fungus, the buds turn black and fall off. This fungus attacks your Plumeria when the tips are affected by frost.
Blacktip fungus causes black mold on the leaves of your Plumeria. Prune off the leaves and spray a fungicide as soon as you see some infection.
Frosts and overwatering can cause the buds to fall off in your Plumeria. Look for the symptoms and act accordingly.
When do Plumerias bloom?
Plumerias bloom in the warmer months of the year. Plumeria plants usually bloom from late April to August.
The Plumeria plant starts blooming only after a blossom hormone is released. This hormone releases only in warm conditions.
Studies show that Plumeria blooms when the soil temperature reaches a certain temperature. This usually happens in early summer.
When do Plumerias bloom in Florida?
In Florida, Plumerias bloom from May till November. There are like 12 different varieties of Plumeria that grow in Florida(many hybridize too!).
When do Plumerias bloom in Texas?
Plumeria plants start blooming in April-May in Texas. The flowers usually last for 6 months or more. The plant blossoms once the temperatures start rising.
When do Plumerias bloom in California?
Plumerias bloom in California when the temperatures are high. Blooms in Plumeria are usually seen between March and October.
Plumeria grows as a deciduous tree in California, losing all its leaves in winter.
When do Plumerias bloom in Hawaii?
Plumeria plants bloom from March to October in Hawaii, just like in California. Hybrids produce a lot of blooms compared to the normal varieties.
Plumerias can bloom throughout the year in Hawaii, though, some varieties may not bloom in Winter.
How long do Plumeria flowers bloom?
Plumeria plants can blossom for up to 7 months a year. This vastly depends on the variety. Plants growing in warmer regions flower for longer periods.
Some varieties bloom for 4 months in a year. Depending on the cultivar, each flower lasts from 1 day to 4 days.
Plumeria plants bloom from summer through fall, so you’ll be content with the plant for a long time.
How do I get my Plumeria to bloom?
Below are some care instructions to help your Plumeria bloom.
- Plumeria plant will not bloom if it doesn’t get adequate sunlight. Place/plant your Plumeria so that it gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- If you’re not in USDA zone 9-11, you need to bring your Plumeria inside. If the plant’s outside, cover the plant somehow to protect it from frost.
- You can use white guards/white commercial tree wraps to protect your Plumeria. Keep Plumeria plants in greenhouse throughout the winter.
- You need to fertilize your Plumeria at the right time. Feed your plant more in the growing season. Feeding them the right fertilizer is quite crucial.
- Plumeria also doesn’t bloom if the stems are not old enough. Wait till the stems are at least a year old, the plant will bloom just fine.
- Plumeria doesn’t flower when there’s a severe infestation of Thrips/Mealybugs/Aphids. Control the insects early on to keep your plant healthy.
- Remember, root/soil heat is a key factor that triggers blooming in Plumeria.
Happy Gardening 🙂