A detailed guide to plumeria planting techniques, from planting to care, all mastered

  Plumeria blooms in summer, with a long flowering period, many flowers, beautiful colors, and an elegant, delicate fragrance. After the leaves fall, the bare trunk curves naturally, much like antlers adorned with beautiful spots, and its form is quite lovely. It is suitable for planting in courtyards and lawns, and can also be grown in pots for ornamental viewing. A closely related ornamental species in the same genus is the red plumeria, native to Mexico, Venezuela, and the West Indies, with a deep red corolla and longer petals; it is also cultivated in South China, where its ornamental effect is even better.

  The cultivation site requires ample sunlight, deep soil, and good drainage, with loam or sandy loam rich in organic matter being best. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer at planting time, 3--4 additional applications of organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer are needed each year during the period of vigorous growth. In dry seasons, water promptly to keep the soil moist; for potted plants, water only after the potting soil has dried, but in summer pay attention to controlling the amount of watering. Common pests and diseases include twig blight, powdery mildew, and scale insect damage; spray thiophanate-methyl and omethoate respectively for control.

  For cultivation, deep, fertile, well-aerated, acidic sandy loam rich in organic matter is best; the flowering period is from month to month, and propagation is mainly by cuttings and layering. Its suitable growth temperature is °C to °C; in summer it can withstand extreme high temperatures of °C, and when the temperature falls below °C, the plant begins to shed leaves and enter dormancy, until around month of the following year; in winter the greenhouse temperature should be maintained no lower than °C.

  It likes light and requires sufficient illumination, otherwise the plant's growth and flowering will be seriously affected. Even in the scorching heat of midsummer, as long as the potting soil has an adequate water supply, it can tolerate full sunlight. When placed indoors for display, it should be positioned in front of a south-facing window to receive more light, to prevent the leaf color from losing its luster. The time placed indoors at one stretch should not be too long; about half a month is appropriate. When moving it outdoors after indoor display, do not immediately place it in an open area to receive full sunlight; it can undergo restorative care under a shade frame with % to % shading for days to days.

  Although it is relatively drought-tolerant, whether grown in the ground or in pots, it requires an adequate water supply. Potted plants dislike waterlogging, so water only after the surface of the potting soil has dried; especially when growing in deep, large pots, be sure to check frequently to prevent root rot caused by poor drainage of the potting soil.

  For potting soil, a mix of parts leaf mold, parts garden soil, and parts river sand can be used, with % decomposed cake fertilizer powder added, and a small amount of multi-element slow-release compound fertilizer granules may also be added. Repot and change the soil once each year in spring, and prune the plant at the same time, but young branches produced in the same year generally do not bloom. Because its branches are sturdy and leaves are large, and it has many flowers and a long flowering period, it consumes a lot of nutrients; during the growing season, apply a dilute quick-acting liquid fertilizer once a month, or apply a mixed solution of .% urea plus .% monopotassium phosphate, to ensure good growth.

  Plumeria leaves are susceptible to angular leaf spot. After leaves emerge in spring, spray once daily with .% Bordeaux mixture or % mancozeb wettable powder dilution. If powdery mildew occurs on the leaves, spray with % thiophanate-methyl ?? sulfur suspension concentrate dilution, or % triadimefon emulsifiable concentrate dilution, once daily for consecutive times to times. If scale insect damage appears on the leaves, spray with % buprofezin wettable powder dilution for control.