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Avatar for aliciavoice
Sep 23, 2019 3:52 PM CST
Thread OP
Tampa, Florida Zone 10a
I have a mature Plumeria tree grown from a cutting I brought back from Hawaii. Two questions:
It's at least 15 feet tall and lanky; how far back can I cut the branches, but continue to stimulate a bushier growth?
I fertilize with a special Hawaiian bloom boost fertilizer and the branches and leaves grow nicely, but it just isn't flowering as much as I hoped.
I expected blooms on many more branches, but they are sparse. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Avatar for Dutchlady1
Sep 23, 2019 6:46 PM CST

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Welcome! Aliciavoice.

Is your plant in full sun? If it is in some shade that can be the reason for its lanky growth, but some plumeria are naturally taller growers than others.

When you trim (and yes, you can do this) you will sacrifice that season's blooms. And you may get a bushier plant. But first address the reason why it is so lanky. If you do trim (and the best time to do that is in early spring) leave about 4-6 inches of each branch, and new branches will grow from the old leaf scars.

I should say I am not fond of bloom booster fertilizers which are generally designed for annuals, not for flowering trees. A well balanced, time-release fertilizer will help your tree grow strong and healthy, and then it should bloom.
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