This is the third spring for my Plumeria, all was good previous two. Now this year, the young leaves grow to about 1/2 inch, turn black and fall off. It has three branches, 2 seem to be growing a flower, the third not, but the one flower looks to be dying too. But all three have leaves that go black and fall off. It's been doing this ever since the first leaves started to grow, about a month I'd say. Just this year. Outside plant, Houston, TX, sun and shade.



Any ideas?

Temps are too cool plus high humidity will cause black leaf.

(If) you can, bring them inside until the Weather warms up a little more.

BBQNBLUES said:Temps are too cool plus high humidity will cause black leaf.

(If) you can, bring them inside until the Weather warms up a little more.

It's planted outside, for 3 years. Nothing different about the weather this year in Houston (hot!) compared to the last two.

Is this normal? Or a disease?

I'm up in Kingwood, north of Houston. This week weve had lows down to 46. That slows growth on plumeria. They like hot heat of summer Make sure they are getting all the sun toy can give them. . It's still early with unusual spring-like weather in Houston. I had a few 1" leaves yellow and drop off. New leaves replaced it and are growing. All will be well starting next week when we get into the 80's.

Those are the start of aerial roots in the last picture. Sometimes the grow inches long. No harm, normal especially when rainy or humid.

I can't help thinking something more serious is happening, two branches look to be dying, the other is trying to flower, but very slowly. It's been like this since they started to grow new leaves 6-8 weeks ago.

Thrips ? If you have any Safer's Soap.. I'd give them a spray.

I don't see any bugs anywhere around it.
Something that is different from last year is that I planted this nearby 6 months ago (3 feet away). Perhaps Plumeria doesn't like it?

Well good news in that, we just walked past another house 2 blocks up the road today, which had 4 plumerias in their front yard. And all had the same problem too:



Something they don't like this year. Maybe Covid-19...

One of my plumeria has the exact same issue. Not sure that it's really the weather that's an issue, as my others are doing fine coming out of dormancy.

TeamCll

My only experience with black tips was with "Scott Pratt" a Red that's cold sensitive.

Mine is a Hawaiian red that has this issue. Figured out that it was actually an onset of stem rot. I believe I made the mistake of burying a little bit too deep when I transplanted. I decided to cut it up and try to root new pieces. I've heard that reds are harder to root, but I bought this cutting on the big island 2 years ago and it did fine. Till now.

I find the first new leaves do this on some of mine. Some even turn yellow and fall off. It's almost as if they were leaf inflo left over from last year that were worn out from trying to emerge. Or the tree gives all its energy to inflo and not leaves. Never fear. The ones that do this have healthy leaves following. These leaves turned dark and dropped off. But look what I got in exchange! I'm certain, the leaves will return eventually

I thought my little flower arm might succeed, but this it what it looks like today, not good

I am not from TX, but even here, our weather this Spring has been extended cool down. Only this weekend did we finally return to our more seasonable warmer temps, but got too hot quick..oh well.

My Plumerias are not yet awake either..so will just wait for it patiently. That is something I have learned in all through the years, always something different every season each year.

As long as the rest of your plant is staying firm, no soggy part, then it is still okay. Just remove rotted new growth if possible, so it can heal that area properly. Still early in the season, it can still catch up. There was a time my Plumies finally made better leaves already towards June.

In the meantime, no watering, wait it out as patiently as you can.

Well it took another 6 weeks, and the leaves are eventually coming out. But a little odd shaped. Can't help thinking it got some problem over the winter. Wish I knew what it was.

Well it's happy now...

ferrad said:Well it took another 6 weeks, and the leaves are eventually coming out. But a little odd shaped. Can't help thinking it got some problem over the winter. Wish I knew what it was.

I've got 2 plumerias I propagated as cuttings this year. Some of the new leaves look odd like that and those leaves don't achieve full size.

I hope it's nothing that'll affect the rest of the plant.

I just yesterday got a plumeria (Teresa Wilder) in the mail from J&J Plumerias. It's rooted and about 3 or 4 feet with 3 limbs. The few leaves it has are rather small and were a bit wilted from their time in a box in the mail. They're starting to come to life now they're in natural light and potting soil. I assume the small size of the leaves are due to them being the first of the season after winter dormancy. Otherwise, the plant appears healthy. I have my fingers crossed. I'm in Lake Charles, LA where it's 78 degrees on April, 19 2024. Keep up the great website!

@daleandrews Sorry no one responded to your question right away. This particular chat is an old thread but I just responded to your question here, hope that answers your question.
https://garden.org/thread/view...

You can update your profile and put your City and State. Feel free to visit this active chat too, to share photos of your plumerias or just to ask questions. Some members there get notified and could readily respond to your questions.
The thread "Chats About Plumeria" in Plumeria forum

Happy growing!