Hi @chippermcelveen, unfortunately I don't know what that is but I have noticed similar spots on the leaf stem bases of my plumeria. The leaves themselves do not have black spots like what I see in your pictures, though.














What the heck are these things?? They are darker on some leaves than others. Don't seem to move at all when I poke them.

I was gifted my plumie about 3 years ago and the poor tree has gone through all kinds of problems since that time, I'm sure due to my inexpert care. Recently I have been trying to learn more about caring for my plants and hopefully get them to thrive rather than just barely surviving. A couple days ago I took my plumeria into the shower and gave it a good hosing down after seeing webs similar to the pictures earlier in this thread, and the new leaves seem to be looking a bit better so far Soon I will make a thread and perhaps someone will be able to give me some guidance.

@fifitx.

You might not like this answer, but these spots/blotches mean absolutely nothing. All my plumeria leaves have similar blotches near the stem. The blotches can vary in shape, size, and color, but they are normal.

Most spots on leaves are due to rust (a fungus). Some varieties seem to be more prone to rust than others, but I see it so often, particularly later in the year, I pay it little attention. In my experience, rust doesn't really seem to harm the plant, it is just unsightly (plumeria are tough trees). You can remove those unsightly leaves if the rust-spots are numerous, and if so, trash those leaves. Don't leave them on the ground. If the rust gets really bad, spray a fungicide on the top and bottom of the leaves. You'll probably have to repeat the spraying every 2-3 wk. to control the rust.

drdawg said:
You might not like this answer, but these spots/blotches mean absolutely nothing. All my plumeria leaves have similar blotches near the stem. The blotches can vary in shape, size, and color, but they are normal.

Thank you for the welcome! In fact, that's an answer I like to hear because it means I don't have to do anything Most of my plants were given to me just before I started law school, so anything that is still alive at this point has to be pretty durable Those spots sure do look strange, though, especially once I took pictures and zoomed in! I don't think I see anything that looks like rust, luckily. I just took some more pictures, so keep an eye out for my thread with all my plumeria questions.

I am just a hobbyist grower and though I have a awful lot of plumeria, orchids are my first love.

welcome @fifitx
Mine as well have these issues. I noticed them two years ago and come to live with them. I did notice that's where the ants love to extract the water from on these lovely plants.

There were a few of these bugs hanging out on my plumeria the past few days. Could this have anything to do with the spots on the stems I'm seeing? Also, I took a couple of leaves of and there was a white milky substance. Is that normal?

Plumeria have a white milky sap, yes, as do all plants in the Apocynaceae family. It is an irritant to some people but I've never had a problem with it.

The bugs you are seeing are Assassin bugs and despite their name they are beneficial.

Welcome, @ChipperMcelveen

I know this thread started awhile ago, but I wanted to check in because I never saw a solid answer for one of the questions that lucky asked:
5th. Couldn't get a good picture but I have some house hold ants that love to eat or (just plain chill out) right at where the stem meets the stock. After about 20 seconds they walk down the stock and then vanish in the soil.

We have these ants on our two plumerias. It seems like they might be eating the flower buds off the plant before they have a chance to bloom. I've sprayed the plants and also treated the base of their pots and all around the ground where they sit for the summer. Are these ants a bad thing? I just can't tell!

I would never allow ants to invade my plants or my potting soil/orchid media. I simply sprinkle a small amount of Orthene Fire Ant Killer over the soil/media and within 24 hr., there are no ants.

Do any of you know if Fire Ant Killers will kill other types of ants? I have Amdro for Fire Ants, and I've been using it on other types of ants and it's not working. They just ignore it.

I really don't know that answer, Karen. The ants that occasionally got into my plants/potting soil/orchid media were never fire ants. The Orthene killed them all and never harmed a single plant that I know of.

I'll have to get Orthene then. I don't have ants in my post, but they're all over our property making big ugly mounds where I don't want them.

I use IOrthene routinely for fire ants, Karen. Just be careful not to disturb the mound when you sprinkle it on. I extend the application about 1' around the mound, but don't know that it does any good. You don't need to use much of this stuff.

Thanks, Ken. We have fire ants and probably 10 or 15 other types. This place has more ants than I've ever seen anywhere.

Well guys... I came here looking for a way to kill Broad Mites that doesn't include dropping $300 on a miticide that actually works on them. 😭 Instead of finding my answer here, I think I need to answer the questions at the end of this thread.
Those spots at the base of your leaf stems are normal although one of the pics above looks like theirs is housing some eggs. (@fifitx) Leave them be. This is a perfect example of how nature works together for the benefit of two different species. The Plumeria is producing a sweet nectar from those spots to attract the ants. The ants in turn protect the plant from other invaders. Don't kill the ants! Or the assassin bugs, the lady bugs, the jumping spiders, or any other bug that's HELPING your plant thrive.
In my case, all of my Plumeria are potted. We've had some pretty crazy weather lately and they were all knocked over a few times leaving this dusty dirt all over the leaves. Well I was able to rinse most off but it has collected in those spots on the stems, seemingly clogging the areas. I have no more ants and now I'm having issues with new leaves curling and dying. I'm extremely worried my buds are next. 😳 That said, if anyone has any tips on murdering Broad mites, I'm all ears! lol

I use a product called Bonide Horticultural Spray. Nontoxic. You have to spray the plants a few times to get them all but it has always worked for me. It also can be sprayed in the sun with no leaf damage. I have used it many, many times on different types of plants for mite and scale problems. Available on Amazon.

pamelareanna said:I know this thread started awhile ago, but I wanted to check in because I never saw a solid answer for one of the questions that lucky asked:
5th. Couldn't get a good picture but I have some house hold ants that love to eat or (just plain chill out) right at where the stem meets the stock. After about 20 seconds they walk down the stock and then vanish in the soil.

We have these ants on our two plumerias. It seems like they might be eating the flower buds off the plant before they have a chance to bloom. I've sprayed the plants and also treated the base of their pots and all around the ground where they sit for the summer. Are these ants a bad thing? I just can't tell!

Hello! First time poster. Not sure if anyone will see this considering it's been a few years, but I wanted to say that I also have these tiny, tiny little ants that seem to lay their eggs or nurse the nectar right where the stem meets the stock. They've been doing this for years. It doesn't seem to affect the plant at all. They are very quick and are certainly on a mission as they appear and vanish from the soil. Fun to watch up close. Hope you all are safe and sound. Cheers.

Every now and then, fire ants will nest in one or more of these potted plumeria. I use Orthene to rid the soil of the ants.

Black Spots populated my healthy Plumeria overnight ! We're in South Florida in late June and it's been hot and humid now for weeks. In the 90's with high humidity. My plumeria's were doing fine with some beautiful blooms (however; we had an earlier bout with scale that we cured with a 3-1 Dr. Earth spray) and all of a sudden we see black spots all over our leaves. What would be the recommended best course of action knowing we will continue with hot, sunny and humid days ahead?