Hurricane Irma damage or a thief?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

So we got home after Irma and saw that a branch had broken off of our plumeria that my husband had cut down in October. Two branches had regrown and the largest one apparently broke off and blew away. I looked around and couldn't find it laying nearby. This is the only plant that broke. I wonder if this is really the hurricane or if someone stole it. The thought that someone did this on purpose makes me feel violated. The last picture is of a cutting we planted from the original tree. I can see why someone would be tempted to take a broken branch.

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Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

When a plumeria branch is cut back, the new growth or growths initially have a narrow, and vulnerable connection to the mother branch from which they've sprouted. I've unintentionally broken many of these off due to their fragility. It takes at least a whole growing season (or two) before they start to beef up and get less fragile.

So, I guess I'm saying, it could be the wind. I've had them break off when the plant tipped over, or when I brushed against them.

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Comments (6)

tunatony
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Great looking!!...does this have a name or is it perhaps a known variety? Resembles a bouquet of several different flower types/colors. Glad you're getting things back together.
coryf
Original Author
8 years ago
It's a noid I got from Home Depot. The flowers smell like coconut oil and it grows very fast. The flowers fade before they drop off, which I think makes it look so pretty. I wish I knew the variety or there was some way to determine the variety by sight, but I guess there isn't a way to. Too bad.
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tunatony
8 years ago
Sorry, but you won't be getting any more noids that nice from Home Depot...lolz!!!
coryf
Original Author
8 years ago
Funny you say that because I haven't seen any plumeria at that Home Depot at all since I got this one 3 years ago. And even then, there were only 3 that were hidden in the middle of the shrubs display. I saw one single leaf and the hunt was on. Of the three, the one I bought was the only one that was a single stalk with no leaves or inflos, but it looked very strong and the last 6 inches of the tip was a deep purple color. I never saw one that was purple instead of green, so I had to have it. I shouldn't really feel too bad about the broken piece because we started a mini farm after he cut it back and now have 7 babies too.
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the_first_kms2
8 years ago
I am inclined to agree with Dave. It is likely wind related and the piece may have been picked up by someone after the fact. Sorry it happened.

Best thing to do now is to clean up the break and prevent water from sitting in the wound.