Summer Care for Plumeria
Summer is the most critical time of the year to care for your plumeria. Watch for heat stress and insects, and check moisture before watering.
Yellow leaves are normal to a point, plumeria put on new leaves and shed the old ones at the bottom. But if you see more than normal, you should first check your soil for too much or too little water.
Whether you’re coping with a mini heatwave or a summer-long slog of extreme high temperatures, here are a few tips to help you to help your plants cope with heat stress.
Water according to plant condition
Check moisture below the surface and consider pot weight, drainage, root condition, foliage, and recent weather before watering. For established, actively growing plants that need water, wet the root zone thoroughly and allow excess water to drain. Check small containers more frequently during hot or windy weather, but water only when needed. When practical, water early in the morning—from about one hour before daylight to before 9:00 AM. Do not delay needed watering solely to meet that preferred window.
Check that water is being absorbed into the growing medium rather than running through gaps along the container wall. Do not leave pots standing in collected drainage water.
Feed according to plant condition
Heat alone does not establish a fertilizer need or a universal stop-feeding temperature. Check the plant’s hydration, root health, growth, and fertilizer already present. Avoid adding fertilizer to a dehydrated or heat-stressed plant simply to make it recover.
Pause supplemental feeding while the plant is stressed. When roots are functioning and active growth resumes, use the current product label to guide rates, timing, and placement. Excalibur VI and IX are maintenance fertilizers; Excalibur BOOST is 11-12-13. Account for nutrients already releasing from earlier applications.
Do not assume a reduced-strength foliar application is harmless in hot, dry weather. Follow the product label and avoid spraying stressed foliage.
Temporary shade during extreme heat
Provide temporary afternoon shade when intense exposure or hot containers are stressing plants. Consider the plant’s acclimation and actual growing conditions rather than waiting for a specific air temperature. Maintain suitable light and return plants gradually to stronger exposure as conditions improve. Excessive shade can limit flowering, while suitable temporary shade can help protect heat-stressed plants.