Expert Plumeria Care information on fertilizing plumeria inlate summer and fall

Fertilizing in Late Summer and Fall A Different View

Most Plumeria Growers have been taken in by the high middle number phosphate (P) marketing of Miracle Grow for plumeria fertilizing only to see very short term results and very little cold or heat resistance from their plumeria.

Fertilizing plumeria or any plant for that matter is important to ensure healthy growth. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium need to be added on a regular basis. This is more important in containerized growing. The percentages of these nutrients are labeled on fertilizer packages. Also, many times you find listings of minerals and other beneficial additives. Adding minerals is important for healthy plant growth.

Nitrogen (N) aids in strong leaf and stem growth and promotes dark green leaf color. Too much nitrogen causes soft foliage and delays flowering, while not enough nitrogen causes stunted growth and leaf yellowing.

Phosphorus (P) is needed for root development and also helps the plants to set buds and flower. Not enough phosphorus can cause stunted plant growth.

Potassium (K) improves plant hardiness in both hot and cold weather. It also helps in seed production and improves the size and quality of the flowers. Not enough potassium causes a weak plant, reduced flower quality and flower size.

There are different methods for fertilizing plumeria; Liquid or Granular. I recommend Liquid because you have complete control over the amount released (PPM’s/TDS). If you use a Granular or Time- Release the break down depends on the amount of water used or by how hot it is, therefore if it rains or it is hot and you water often the amount of feed could be to strong for the plumeria. This can burn the roots killing your plants. The opposite as in very little water means no food for the plant being released. Also, there is no way to calculate the amount and or when your plant is receiving nutrients.

If you water on a regular basis use a complete and balanced liquid fertilizer. It is important to note frequent watering leaches out soil nutrients quickly and you'll need to fertilize regularly. This makes the case for continuous feeding program or “fertigation”.

If you noticed phosphorus (P) is the plumeria fertilizer for root promoting then is secondary in its effect on blooming. In all hot climates it is very important to use a higher potassium (K) number. Also, for cold protection higher potassium (K) is very necessary. So a plumeria fertilizer routine in Inland Southern California as well as Arizona should be different than any of the high middle number products have to offer. Another reason for the high K number is; potassium reaches a higher concentration in plants then any other mineral element and activates over 60 enzymes. This process increases cell strength and general plant hardiness.

This makes not only the case for fertigation but also for the use of a more “balanced” fertilizer high in potassium (K). If you read my article “Avoiding Frost Damage” you will note we suggest using Dyna Grows' Pro-TeKt which is high in potassium silicate. The other products we use are Liquinox 4-10-10 and 0-10-10. These products are balanced have additives such as minerals, yucca extract and are very high in potassium. After September 1, in Southern California we suggest using no nitrogen (N) in your plumeria fertilizer for going into fall and winter. This will discourage new stem and leaf growth. We base ALL our fertilizing programs on PPM’s (parts per million of fertilizer in water) and TDS (total dissolved solids, which would be the total quantity of fertilizer in water @ parts per million). At present we are following our continuous feeding program (fertigation) with this feeding ratio:

Fert. Mix Late Summer, Fall 06-07	Chemilizer Injector HN55	256 to 1	N	P	K	TDS
	Chemilizer Injector HN55	+ 512 to 1
Liquinox Bloom 0-10-10	Chemilizer HN55	256 to 1	0	174	328	502
Liquinox Start 0-2-0	Chemilizer HN55	256 to 1	0	35	0	35
Liquinox Bloom 0-10-10	Chemilizer HN55	512 to 1	0	87	164	251
Fert. Mix Total PPM's			0			788

The above is an example of a seasonal predetermined feeding program. This is supplemented by a Chemilizer HN55 @ 256 to 1 of Dyna Grow Pro-TeKt from a base solution. In addition, this complete plumeria fertilizer regimen can be foliar applied. To simplify the chart above “256 to 1” equals 1 tablespoon fertilizer per gallon of water. And “512 to 1” equals 1.5 teaspoons fertilizer per gallon of water. In Inland Southern California we have the growing year divided into five separate regimens for seasonal change. However, this can vary depending on the weather conditions. This is the one for “Late Summer, Fall”. The above chart will only be used until most leaves have dropped. Our potassium fertilizer application is based on the total year however; it is never too late to start.