Plumeria Black Tip Fungus
The plumeria is a small tropical tree with fragrant flowers that Hawaii residents often string into leis. This plant is subject to the black tip fungus, which causes growing tips of branches to become black in spring. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification of Disease
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Watch for blackening of the branch tips when your plumeria tree begins to sprout new leaves in spring. The black tip fungus causes branches to stop growing when it occurs. Use a fungicidal spray and prune off affected branches to help stop its spread.
Preventing Black Tip
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Black tip fungus is difficult to cure, so prevention is key. Grow your plumeria tree in full sun because trees in shady areas are more prone to this disease. Also avoid spraying your tree's leaves with water at night, especially when the temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Scatter a granular fungicide on the soil around your tree every two to three weeks.
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Severity of Black Tip
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A severe infestation of black spot fungus can spread rapidly and can quickly cause the death of young plumeria trees. The disease will often disappear when the weather gets warmer: the blackened tips of your tree will simply fall off. Your tree will develop more branches at these points, which can add to its appearance and create more flowers. If the disease persists, you might have a challenging time getting it to produce flowers.
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References
Resources
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