Plumeria Rottenness Causes and Solutions

Unfortunately, we all know this situation. The beloved Plumeria is rotting and no longer stands tall but points east or west. Or the tip is totally mushy or black as night.

What have I done wrong?

most hobby gardeners wonder. Well, first, one must consider that these are living plants, and all living things can also get diseases. However, in 90% of cases, it is possible to identify the problem the plant has/had based on the rot spot.

In the image above, we have marked the typical rot spots on a Plumeria plant in red and written a number next to each. Here you can see what number can indicate which disease or cause (IT IS NOT NECESSARILY!).

1. Black / brown shoot tip

Possible causes are: Black Tip Fungus (a very dangerous fungal disease; it MUST be cut, and the separated parts must be disposed of securely). Draft when overwintering. The difference between fungus and draft is that shoots that rot due to drafts are not as black as those infested by fungus.
Another cause can be light frost on the shoot tips. In the case of drafts and frost, it is not necessary to cut. The shoot tip will dry out, and the Frangipani will sprout anew below the sick spot.

Rot due to leaf breakage: Those who break off leaves in autumn instead of cutting them can injure the plant’s connective tissue, allowing bacteria to move freely and the spot to start rotting. In such cases, cutting should be done because foreign bodies in the form of bacteria or fungi are present in the plant.

The typical rot spots on a Plumeria plant

2. Rot on an old branch or old flower

When the plant rots at such a spot, the cause is usually that one of the shoots was accidentally bent, resulting in small hairline cracks in the connective tissue, allowing bacteria to enter the plant. Another common cause is that the hobby gardener breaks off the old flower shoots instead of letting them fall off naturally. This can also injure the plant there, giving bacteria and fungi free rein!

If a rot occurs at such a spot, a cut is generally required 95% of the time. Often, however, the upper shoots can be re-rooted, and the lower shoot will sprout anew.

3. Rot or soft spots on the surface of a side shoot

A rotten spot on a side shoot often occurs because the impatient hobby gardener frequently presses on the plant during the winter break to see if it might be soft… If this is done too often, it will become soft and rot because the fine tissue beneath the bark is damaged and starts to rot.

Another cause can also be injuries from leaf breakage in autumn or from insects (some insects make small holes in the trunk). Bacteria or fungi can enter through the injuries and easily infect the plant. Here, too, often only a cut helps.