I'm somewhat a plumeria Newbie, here. I have plumeria but learning about growing techniques etc.

I just acquired an orange Plumeria NOID. It has three branches, 2 are well-established, the third is just budding. The way it it shooting out in 3 ways from the same point on the stalk. It may be an issue, being off-balanced and all. I see branch breaking in the future. How do you encourage branching and when is a good time to do it? It is only 18" tall and I am just anticipating. Thanks for your suggestions. I am learning a lot here.

I would leave it alone. Plumeria branch naturally after blooming.

ShadyGreenThumb said:I'm somewhat a plumeria Newbie, here. I have plumeria but learning about growing techniques etc.

I just acquired an orange Plumeria NOID. It has three branches, 2 are well-established, the third is just budding. The way it it shooting out in 3 ways from the same point on the stalk. It may be an issue, being off-balanced and all. I see branch breaking in the future. How do you encourage branching and when is a good time to do it? It is only 18" tall and I am just anticipating. Thanks for your suggestions. I am learning a lot here.

I realise this post is quite old, and probably the member might even have moved on by now (I've literally just joined) but you CAN encourage upper-stem branching by making a shallow cut in the main stem, about 1/3 of the way up. Note though, that this is usually carried out on larger, more mature specimens, which may be in danger of being very tall and leggy; however, it may also work well on smaller plants. Just make a horizontal cut, above a leaf node, into the main stem, to just slice into the main core under the outer 'bark. The cut should be quite shallow, and not compromise the plant's stability, but it should ooze a little sap. The cut will seal. It's this interruption of flow that will stimulate the upper part of the plant to branch a little. This also works with other plants, such as ficus elastica....

Thank you @Taramaiden. I'm still here. The original plant in question still has few branches but flowers profusely so I am not complaining.

I am going to try this method on a plumeria pudica that has sever upright growth with few branching. I have cut it back 4 times so far and last year it reached almost 7 ft. pretty much as a single trunk. It still flowerted beautifully on the new growth however. I would love for it to branch. I have my clean knife ready for tomorrow!