Q.Hi – I wonder if you could give me some advice on a 2 yr old plumeria with a squidgy tip please?
I have a plumeria cutting that is about 2 years old, still in its original pot. I am in Auckland, NZ, in the middle of winter (no frost here) and have put both plants (I have two) to stay safe over winter in the pool shed where it gets some easterly sun in the morning and have not watered them, apart from a fine spray once a month. However, one of them which is a single stem is squidgy at the top and I think has some sort of rot. The whole plant from soil to tip is about 30cms tall and the ‘rot’ covers the top 5 cms. I am wondering if I’ve lost it for good, or, if I trim off the top section it will recover? If I do trim it off, do I need to put some pruning paste on the exposed section? The other plant is sturdy and doing well.
Couple of photos attached – as you can see, there is a small break in the side of the tip.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
It could be black tip fungus on top. Stem rot usually starts at the bottom and moves up. You can tell if it has stem rot by lightly squeezing the stem. If it is soft, it is likely rotting. There is no cure for stem rot. If you can cut off part of the stem without rot you can try to root it.
If just the top is rotting, cut back to clean wood. You don't need to cover the cut with anything.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/plumeria/growing-plumeria.htm
