Hi Everyone,

Last year, while our plumeria were dormant for the winter, we got a new puppy. He decided he liked the idea of gnawing on the plants, so we moved them, but we were lazy about it -- we moved them to in front of the garage "temporarily" but never moved them. Last week, it became unusually hot here (102-104º F) and although the plumeria had been doing very well in that sunny spot, it appears the reflective heat from the garage door was just too much for them.

My question is ... are these stalks dead? Or just very dehydrated? The small one appears to still be growing.

We just moved them to a much better location in the front yard -- sunny but lightly shaded, with primarily afternoon sun.

Should I cut these branches off, even though they have started their leafing and inflo production, or should I let them be and see what happens? Do they look salvageable?

Many thanks!

J

The small one looks like it is history. There is not enough tissue left to re root. The larger one probably is too but you can make some cuts to see if you find any white healthy tissue. The tops are definitely dead on the large one. Sorry. Doesn't look good.

Well, not what I hoped to hear, obviously, but I appreciate the advice and feedback. The larger one is our oldest plumeria (only about five years, but still ...) and the small one is our newest. Or was.

For the first two photos, feel the entire plant, if it feels squishy soft, it is done for sadly.

Typically if it is still a cutting and trying to root it, better to keep it in part shade, away from direct sun, stick in a well draining gritty media and wait till at least one healthy leaf grows. To me it seems that plant has been watered while dormant so it has rotted badly. My Plumies can take in stride the dry heat here even it it hits the triple digit range, so the temps yours got is not really bad, though it is different if it is already stressed and got watered when it is not yet ready to receive it.

As for the last photo, it is a bit dicey, but I do see leaves. At this point you can just experiment and keep it as is. It seemed to have callused that middle portion. Since it has leaves, just give regular watering now. Unless that top portion already feels squishy soft too, then no choice but toss it, it is just a sad slow death unfortunately.

Are you in California? I see Agapanthus growing. Those looks quite nice.

Hey I have Agapanthus in Florida!

But sorry - I have to agree, I don't think those Plumeria are going to make it.

Thank you, Tarev. Yes, the agapanthus did very, very well this year because we got 19 inches of rain to date versus FOUR inches of rain by the same time last year. Typically by this time they have given us a few half-hearted blooms and then faded away with singed leaves. But they are going strong this year, even putting up more blooms once the first have been spent!

I appreciate the input and support, and am going to see if there's any way to save these beauties. Everything would have been fine with them until last week ... the extreme radiated heat really did a number on them. My mistake. I feel terribly for them.

I used to be able to grow Agapanthus here but then the deer developed a taste for them. No more.