The frangipani is one of the susceptible plants. Various pests and diseases can severely affect the plant and even lead to its death. However, a simple maintenance measure often helps.
Some pests and diseases can affect the frangipani (Plumeria). It is not uncommon for this to be damage caused by incorrect care and can be remedied with courageous intervention without causing lasting damage to the plant.
Unfortunately, the exotic beauty can also be stricken with diseases that have less chance of being saved.
Fungus diseases on frangipani
❍ Black Tip Fungus
This Pilsner is cultivated extensively in Asia. The original form of this mushroom is even edible and is commonly called "Judasohr". Unfortunately, the black fungus can often even mean death for frangipani. The shoot tips are attacked first. If this goes unnoticed, the fungus can work its way through the entire plant and eventually lead to its death. The fungal infestation is often caused by a location that is too cool or too dark.
» What to do?
- remove affected areas in good time
- treat with fungicide
- Place plant in new location
» Caution: Plumeria obtusa is particularly susceptible to this fungal disease.
❍ Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a collective term for a series of fungal diseases that can affect not only frangipani, but also grass, vines or berries. The fungal infestation is indicated by dark red to black dots on the leaves. These are often caused by watering the plant overhead or by downpours on warm summer days when the plant is unprotected outdoors. The injuries can only affect parts of the leaves, but also affect the entire leaf. If the disease progresses without treatment, the leaves turn yellowish to orange. If you look closely, you can see the black fruiting bodies on the affected parts of the plant. Eventually all the leaves will turn yellow and the plant will die.
» What is closeddo?
- Do not pour water on the leaves
- do not spray
- sheltered outdoor location
- Treatment with fungicides containing copper oxychloride
❍ Rust
This disease is extremely rare in our latitudes. The climatic conditions alone prevent it from spreading. The fungal disease occurs when high temperatures paired with high humidity prevail. In the tropics, on the other hand, plants are very often affected. An infestation is initially expressed by orange spots on the underside of the leaves. At an advanced stage, the upper side of the leaf turns brown and the leaf falls off. Rust is most common in late summer and early fall.
Pests on frangipani
❍ Spider mites
Dry heating air can promote infestation by spider mites in the cold season. The leaf suckers are only a few millimeters in size. The spider-like pests cause greenish spots on the upper side of the leaves. A clear sign of an infestation are net-like structures on the shoot tips.
What to do?
- Rinse the plant with lukewarm water
- Protect the root ball from getting wet
- poss. Use of special pest spray
❍ Broad mite
Even with a magnifying glass, it is difficult to spot the broad mite. In return, it leaves behind an unmistakable image of damage. The young leaves appear deformed and show grey-black scars. When fully grown, the leaves are heavily wavy at the edges and often completely purple in color.
What to do?
- Avoid warm and humid locations
- Use a pointing agent with Dicofol
❍ White Fly
The whitefly is a pest that can be seen with the naked eye. There is no infestation outdoors. On the other hand, the pests can hibernate in greenhouses and conservatories. The plant suckers come from South America and are about two millimeters in size.
» What to do?
- Insert parasitic wasps
- Use pesticides
❍ Thrips
These pests cause damage similar to that of spider mites. In addition to the characteristic green spots, there are black spots caused by droppings on the upper side of the leaves. An infestation can be recognized very well by a silvery leaf color and deformed leaf growth. The pests eat off the upper side of the leaves and use the leaf veins to lay eggs. Dry heating air can cause an infestationfavor.
» What to do?
- Expose the plant to high humidity
- frequent spraying
- Treat leaves with soapy water
❍ Black Aphid
The plant is not spared from aphids either. An increased infestation can be observed especially in spring. If the pests are on the tips of the shoots, this will result in deformation of the newly sprouting leaves.
» What to do?
- Stinging nettle stock
- Onion broth
- Garlic sauce
- Vinegar
- Black Tea
Care mistakes and their consequences
Some diseases and damage symptoms can be avoided by caring for the plants in a species-appropriate manner. A particularly common reason for fungal diseases is a root area that is too wet.
| Damage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Leaf deformation due to stress | If the leaves don't appear in their usual splendor, this is usually a reaction to a stressful situation that the plant had to endure. This can trigger a pest infestation as well as repotting or watering errors. After removing the deformed leaves and avoiding stressful situations for the plant, normal leaf growth should return. |
| stem rot | If the plants leave their winter quarters, stem rot can occur. Young plants are increasingly affected. The algae fungus can enter the plant through injured areas. If the plant is affected by stem rot, a complete pruning should be done. |
| Sunburn | After winter, frangipanis should be slowly acclimated to the sun. Failure to do so will sunburn the plant. If the plant spends a few days in the shade and then switches to the actual sun spot, sunburn on the leaves should be avoided. |
❍ Root rot after hibernation
If the plant doesn't really seem to get going after the hibernation and lacks new shoots, a possible nutrient deficiency can be quickly concluded. Rotting in the root area is usually not considered. Nevertheless, this type of damage is not uncommon and occurs in about 90% of all cases mentioned. If the plant was permanently too wet during the hibernation or if it was watered too much after the hibernation, the roots will quickly begin to rot. This is favored when the water cannot drain away and waterlogging occurs.
» What to do?
- Transplant plant
- Earthcarefully detach from the roots
- remove brittle roots
- do not water excessively
- Wait for new roots to form
» Tip: If fresh, white roots appear, you can water them normally.