Oh, honey, let me tell you about these plumeria plants. They’re pretty and all, but they sure can get sick. Just like us folks, they get their share of plumeria pests and diseases. You gotta keep an eye on ’em, or they’ll be lookin’ sadder than a hound dog in a rainstorm. My plumeria care routine is simple but it is useful.
First thing, you gotta watch out for them plumeria pests. Little buggers love to chew on the leaves and make a mess of things. I seen these tiny green things, real small, called aphids, I think. They suck the juice right outta the plant. Makes the leaves all curled up and sickly. Then there them spider mites. It’s just pests’ common name, not spider, so small you almost need a looking glass to see ’em. They leave these little webs, and the leaves get all yellow and spotty.
- Aphids, oh, they’re a pain.
- Spider mites, sneaky little things.
- And then them whiteflies! White and small, and make a plant sticky!
Now this is my way to keep them pest away from my plumeria. Not some fancy way, but it works.
I make them a soapy water, just regular dish soap, nothin’ fancy, and spray down them leaves, top and bottom. Gotta make sure you get all of ’em, ’cause those critters, they like to hide. You can find the soap in any store, just make sure it is not too strong, may hurt your plumeria. If it is too strong, just add more water, that’s it. And if you find any of them pests, you can use your hand to take them away from your plumeria. Simple, right?
And them common plumeria pests, they ain’t the only problem. These plants can get diseases, too. I seen this one, makes the leaves get these rusty-looking spots all over ’em. They call it plumeria rust, I reckon. Looks like someone sprinkled rusty dust all over the poor thing. You’ll see it on the bottom of the leaves first. If you see this, you gotta pick them sick leaves off. Don’t let ’em lay around on the ground neither, ’cause that sickness can spread. You have to throw them away, to somewhere far from your plants.
And then there’s this other one, makes the stems all black and rotted. Black tip rot, they call it. Nasty stuff. Makes the whole plant just wilt and look pitiful. If you see that, you gotta cut off the bad parts. Cut way back to where the stem looks healthy. And don’t use the same clippers on your other plants without cleanin’ ’em real good. I use some hot water and soap, make sure all clean, then use them on other plants.
And you know how to avoid your plumeria get sick? Some easy ways.
- Don’t water them too much. These plants, they don’t like to be soggy. Let the dirt dry out a bit between waterings. Just stick your finger in there, and if it feels dry, then give it a drink.
- Give ’em plenty of sun. They love the sunshine, these plumerias. Makes ’em strong and healthy. At least six hours a day, I’d say. The more, the better.
- And make sure they got room to breathe. Don’t crowd ’em together. They need air to circulate around, keeps ’em from gettin’ all them diseases.
Plumeria pests and diseases, they’re a real headache, but you can keep ’em under control. Just gotta be vigilant, like an old mama hen watchin’ her chicks. Check them plants regular, top to bottom. Look for any signs of trouble. And don’t wait till it’s too late. Nip it in the bud, as they say.
I remember one time, my neighbor, she had this beautiful plumeria. Biggest one I ever seen. But she didn’t pay no attention to it. One day, it was covered in them aphids. And then it got the rust. Poor thing didn’t stand a chance. She ended up having to cut it all the way down. Broke her heart. She should learn something about plumeria care.
So, you learn from her mistake. Keep an eye on your plumerias. Give ’em a little love and attention. And if you see any plumeria pests and diseases, you know what to do. Use soapy water to keep the pests away, and throw the sick leaves, and keep the healthy part of your plumeria.
And don’t be afraid to ask for help. There’s lots of folks out there who know about these plants, down at the garden center. They can give you some advice, if you’re not sure what to do.
These plumerias, they’re worth the trouble. They make such pretty flowers. And that smell! Oh, it’s just heavenly. Reminds me of when I was a young girl, going to dances. We used to put these flowers in our hair. Made us feel like queens.
So take care of your plumerias. Keep them common plumeria pests away. They’ll bring you lots of joy. Just remember what this old lady told ya. A little bit of care goes a long way. And always remember to check them leaves, top and bottom! Keep them clean and dry, they will be happy, trust me.
