I Have A Plumeria And The Leaves Are Starting To…
Gabe Asked
I have a plumeria and the leaves are starting to curl under. It is in a pot indoors. I haven’t moved it outside since the winter. I water it very little. Also, upon moving it outside what precautions should I take, if any?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Gabe: Thank you for your question and your kind words! Plumeria, also known as frangipani, is a wonderfully scented tropical. Plumeria are great container plants and yes, you were right to cut back on your watering during the winter months but now that the light levels are higher, you should start to water more often. I suspect this is what is causing the foliage to curl. Taking it back outside and fertilizing it will encourage it to bloom. This tropical requires full sun, meaning it needs a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day. Since it has been indoors for many months, now you will want to gradually acclimate it to the full sun. This will prevent potential foliage burn. Place it in the shade for a few days and then move it to a sunnier location and eventually to a space where it will receive six hours of direct sunlight. Plumeria are heavy feeders, so fertilizer is a must during the growing season (May-August). It is best to use a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus because this is what will help to encourage your plumeria to bloom. This is the middle number on the fertilizer so if a product is labeled 10-50-10 this one would be high in phosphorus. Either a slow-release or liquid fertilizer will work just fine. You can feed your plant twice a month during the growing season.
