Hi there! I would start with an insecticidal soap and see if that helps. If not maybe something stronger but I would start with that. With the bud drop and the irregularity I see in the leaf behind your inflo it may be due to some kind of small sucking insects.

If you don't see any signs of drooping or scorching I doubt it's getting too much sun - you have a wide temperature swing right now and 65 is a bit on the cool side - not damaging, just cool for plumeria and that could possibly be forcing bud drop.

I'm sure others will have suggestions for you also.

Very cool that you're in Italy, we have people from all over the world on this forum!

I also agree with Emily.. I would look for spider mites ... Then I would check to make sure that your soil is draining properly. Those saucers will cause your soil to stay to moist and could become an issue when you let the effluent collect in the saucer. ( all of my trees are without saucers) I would only water when dry. Let your trees dry out if you think your soil is to moist... It doesn't sound like to much sunlight. They love the heat and sunlight!

Inflos will be sensitive after arriving from a nursery ( mail) or just acclimating to new conditions as well..

Those varieties don't have a history of bud drop like certain ones have ( Taj Mahal ). So with a little checking on the insects and moisture.. I'm sure your tree will adjust!!

Sounds like a beautiful area that you are in.. I love Naples.. Italy is an awesome country!!!

Ciao!!!

Laura

Thank you! Yeah, I keep the saucers empty and dry all the time. I just bought and sprayed some broad spectrum insecticide, esp. for spider mites. I don't see visible insects, so that may be the right guess. It might also just be the trauma of adjustment to a new climate and position. But Emily is right, those leaves are telling me something, and I just refused to see! ahah! I'll keep you posted! ciao

You should probably get a moisture meter to ensure the soil is dry before you water again. Were they rooted or cuttings, you are correct about root development and inflos.

@Jeff Sharp, they are all rooted (except a Desert Sunrise cuttting). The spider mites hypothesis was an eye-opener: it explains other events as well. My "Gina" was taking forever to "wake up" from dormancy, and a few times I noticed a drop of white sap at the base of her baby leaves. I sprayed them on Friday evening, and the Cali Sunset hasn't dropped anyone of the new buds yet!

Awesome!!

Laura

I am having the same issue here in Spain, not all the inflos but some of them where falling. In my case I have been checking out that plumerias can bear a noticeable amount of aphids for example without really causing anymajor problem. I would say watering condition may be causing you the problem.

Aloha

@mediterranean, it wasn't aphids but spider mites. Water may not be the problem. I sprayed an anti-spider mites (acaros) and the new leaves are coming out just perfectly shaped. and no bud drop, so far.:-) what was your problem though? water?

@Vincenzo, I'm glad the anti spider mites spray worked for you. Now if I have the same problem with a young plant I'll try that as well... I LOVE Napoli!! I Have been there 4 times, my wifes family is from Torre Del Greco :-) FORZA NAPOLI!! Ciao amico

I have the same problem with my kauka Wilder I moved it to a space next to white wall the flower bed was fine until I moved it there and water it. and two of the flower buds fell off. I hope it is from stress and not from over heating from the reflection off the wall. It has been hot here lately San Jose California.so I hope my problem is stress there is no sign of insect problems.

@stu, let's hope it's just the stress of the relocation. I love the kauka wilder! How old is your plant? I believe it is ok for younger plants to drop a few buds now and then. Some parasites are invisible to the naked eye though. Check if your leaves will show any strange sign. Good luck!

it is about 6 years old and is about 7 feet tall I sprayed ilast night with some 3 & 1 spray so let's hope this will do the trick I still have plenty of buds left on the inflow I just picked it up from a grower here in the Bay Area so let's hope that was the problem. the move and the recent heat.

Hi all, I am Joe from Redondo Beach Ca. South Bay Los Angeles Ca.

I planted two Plumerias that I think are Franji Panjis, one plant is sending up inflos and buds but they are not opening. Here it has been 79-85 degrees, they get afternoon sun for about 6 hours, I water and fertilize about once a week. But the buds don't open, it's been three weeks. Any suggestions?

Is it possible your plumeria is Peach glow Shell? The flowers don't always open all the way.

You mean you think this is a non blooming Plumeria?

I opened one bud and it had a complete flower inside. It has to to be that there is not enough sun, fertilizer or something? Thanks for your comment.

I understood her to ask if it could be a known variety that has that characteristic to help you troubleshoot.

Based on the info provided try increasing the watering by 1 extra time each week to see if that makes a difference. Also the brown margins on the petals could be related to insect damage. Possibly mites or thrip. I would spray with Neem oil. Remember if its full hot sun the oil can burn leaves if done before the heat of the day. Some other helpful info would be the kind of fertilizer and if its in a container.

This is EXACTLY what’s happening with my Rainbow plumeria. The buds aren’t developing and a few have shriveled and dried up. I had some insecticidal soap on hand and sprayed it this evening. Here’s hoping. Thanks all for this informative thread.

I think I am facing the same problem with bud dropping. The info in this thread may have saved me from thinking the chewed up petal margins is just the variety, lol.

Now I suspect spider mites and sprayed with neem oil yesterday evening. Thanks for the helpful info everyone!