We had some deck work done, and to protect the plants from the tile cutting dust they covered them with clear plastic/visqueen. They left it on all day and several plants were smoked. The plumeria has wilted over just beneath the growth head area. Can I save it? How? Do I just lop off the wilted area?

Help!

The base of the plumeria look healthy so it can still be saved. First remove all the leaves. It looked like the tip got cooked so you may have to cut (slanted angle) the rotted part until you see healthy tissue (oozing white) no rotted part. Protect the cut ends from the rain. You can add cinnamon if you like but not necessary. If it gets direct sun, the cut ends should callous and heal. Sometimes it would sprout faster if you cut where the branch is "Greyish color" meaning mature branch and not a new growth.

Watch for few days to make sure no additions rotted has developed. And if it does, cut more and don't let it travel down to the base of the plumeria.

Keep us posted!

Thanks for the advice. I've cut it on a 45 and there was some oozing that started about 1.5" below the point it was flopped over itself. I'm so pissed. This plant popped an inflo (it's first) and had halfway bloomed. It's low 100's here now so I'm concerned about the recovery.

You are and I'm so sorry! I definitely understand how you feel, especially when it was getting ready to bloom. It should recover and you might get multiple branches. So you might have an instant mini-tree before end of the year but might have to wait until next year for a bloom.

It's been a few days and here's what it looks like now. Does this look right? It was a crisp cut initially, a bit like cutting a cucumber with some ooze, and it was green when I cut.

Looks fine to me.

TeamCll said: Looks fine to me.

I have little patience... so thanks for the input. These plants are testing me

I'm a little concerned with the yellowing tissue below the cut.

Keep an eye on it, it may start moving down the trunk.

BBQNBLUES said: I'm a little concerned with the yellowing tissue below the cut.

Keep an eye on it, it may start moving down the trunk.

I wish taken a pic when I had the cut still fresh. It's 95° here so a tiny bit cooler but ~12% humidity. We'll see what happens but I will watch for movement. Thanks

Sometimes you can pour hydrogen peroxide to stop the spread of the "brown" rotted part. For as long as it is not raining, plumerias sometimes will heal by itself.

GigiPlumeria said: Sometimes you can pour hydrogen peroxide to stop the spread of the "brown" rotted part. For as long as it is not raining, plumerias sometimes will heal by itself.

Good tip - thanks. Def not raining.... the big test awaits...

Wow. Where are you at Jake? Arizona?

TeamCll said: Wow. Where are you at Jake? Arizona?

yeah, Mesa, AZ

Any updates? Hope the brown part did not spread.

GigiPlumeria said: Any updates? Hope the brown part did not spread.

It sprouted a few leaves from one old leaf scar/nodule (??) so maybe that will become a branch? A few other nodules are beginning to show some activity too. Might get lucky on this one if it can survive the heat.

dotJake said: It sprouted a few leaves from one old leaf scar/nodule (??) so maybe that will become a branch? A few other nodules are beginning to show some activity too. Might get lucky on this one if it can survive the heat.

Yes any sign of emerging growth is a good news.