Plumeria

Plant Characteristics
Lifespan:	⌛	[[Lifespan::Perennial]]

Cultivation

Exposure:	☼	Full Sun"Full Sun" is not in the list (sun, part-sun, shade, unknown) of allowed values for the "Exposure" property., High Shade"High Shade" is not in the list (sun, part-sun, shade, unknown) of allowed values for the "Exposure" property.
Water:	◍	moderate
Features:	✓	Flowers, Fragrance
Sunset Zones:		vary by species

Scientific Names
Apocynaceae >	Plumeria >

Plumeria (common name Frangipani; syn. Himatanthus Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) is a small genus of 7-8 handsome and useful species native to tropical and subtropical Americas. Open plants have leathery, pointed leaves at the ends of the branches. Flowers during warm seasons, and give clusters of large, showy, waxy flowers with a strong perfume. Plumeria is related to the Oleander, Nerium oleander, and both possess poisonous, milky sap, rather similar to that of Euphorbia.

Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers have no nectar, and simply dupe their pollinators. The moths inadvertently pollinate them by transferring pollen from flower to flower in their fruitless search for nectar.

The genus consists of mainly deciduous shrubs and trees. P. rubra (Common Frangipani, Red Frangipani), native to Mexico, Central America, and Venezuela, produces flowers ranging from yellow to pink depending on form or cultivar. From Mexico and Central America, Plumeria has spread to all tropical areas of the world, especially Hawaii, where it grows so abundantly that many people think that it is indigenous there.

Cultivation

Feeding late in year will cause soft growth, which is venerable to the lightest frosts.

Propagation

Plumeria species are easily propagated by taking a cutting of the end of a branch (about 8-12 inches long) and allowing it to dry at the base before inserting into well draining soil. They are also propagated via tissue culture both from cuttings of freshly elongated stems and via aseptically germinated seed.

Cuttings may be taken at any time of the year, however, rooting appears to be most successful in spring and early summer. Plumeria cuttings may be stored in a warm and dry location for many months, but the best results are when the cuttings are allowed to root and grow within a few weeks of their separation from the donor plant.

When taking cuttings, choose healthy, robust limb tips. The tips with 2 or more growing points may make more compact plants for container growth, but branches with only one tip will also do fine. Plumeria cuttings are likely to be best if made 12 to 18 inches in length and include a bit of gray barked wood. Shorter cuttings often have more difficulty in striking root and will generally take longer to reach blooming size. Larger cuttings will root very well but are occasionally difficult to stabilize during the rooting process. Cuttings can be taken from any Plumeria plant having limb(s) meeting the above length criteria. Cuts should be made at an oblique angle to the limb being cut. This gives the cutting more root callus formation area and avoids water collection on cut surface of the donor plant. Use a very sharp knife, pruners, or a saw to make the cuts.

Once the cutting is removed from the donor plant, remove all but the tiniest leaves to reduce moisture loss. Set the cutting aside in a warm and dry location to allow the cut surface to dry and seal itself for at least three days (one week is better). Before planting, dip the cut end in root hormone (such as RooTone) with fungicide. Plant it shallow in sand or perlite (potting soil, etc.) excellent drainage is necessary. Stake the cutting for support or allow it to rest against side of container. Water very sparingly but keep the soil moist. Place the newly planted cutting in strong or full sunlight. Bottom heat helps promote root formation and growth and can be achieved by placing the container on sun-baked concrete. Watch for new leaf growth as your sign that roots have formed (usually 6-8 weeks). New plants may bloom the first year.

Alternative method[1]:

“

Last summer, some fellow members told me that they make cuttings in November, lay the cuttings out on newspaper in a protected area until the leaves fall off. When the leaves have fallen off, they dip the cut end into water then RooTone and pot them up into 1 gallon containers. The potted cuttings are watered in well then stored for the winter. No more water is given until spring. When spring arrives, the cuttings have rooted and are well on their way much sooner than cuttings taken even in very early spring.

”

Pests and diseases

Mealybugs are a problem.

Species

7-8 species including:

Plumeria alba - White Frangipani - Sunset zones 23, 24. leaves are narrow, lance shaped and corrugated/puckered, to 1 ft. long. Flowers 2.5 inches wide, yellow with white center.
Plumeria inodora
Plumeria obovata
Plumeria obtusa - Sunset zones 24, 25. Retains dark green, glossy leaves and 2 inch flowers in winter. From Columbia, but common name is "Singapore".
Plumeria pudica - leaves have an elongated oak shape and glossy, dark green color. Everblooming type with non-deciduous, evergreen leaves.
Plumeria rubra - Known as Plumeria or Frangipani. Sunset zones 12, 13, 19, 21-25, 27. Thick leaves are 8-16" long. Red flowers appear in clusters, and are 2 - 2.5" wide. White, pink, yellow blossoms exist. (Also known as Plumeria acuminata and Plumeria acutifolia)
Plumeria stenopetala
Plumeria stenophylla

References

American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432
Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608
Plumeria Society