The growing tips on my large plumeria are caked with hard white residue which I think is the sap they bleed when injured. What could be causing this and what can I do? I've already tried organic sprays several times (neem, insecticidal soap, etc.) This is my first visit to this forum and I'm counting on the experts here.
Not to be gross, but that looks like bird excrement. I have had this happen on some of my plumeria before and wondered the same thing. The other growing points in the background look fine.
Davie
Hi Davie,
I agree that it does look somewhat like what you suggest but it's spread too evenly over the whole plant and for too long a time to be that. Also it won't wash off. Some spots are worse than others but where the accumulation is the heaviest, the growth is more stunted.
Hate to say this but it looks like what the sagos get. Do you have any sago palms there with that disease. It is a white looking just like that and what it is, is a bug lots of them clumped toegther sucking the life out of the plant. It actully come from the ground people don,t think it will spread to other plants but it will. fish emulsion oil and malathion 1 ounce of each to a gallon of water spray every 2 weeks ground too. That is if you do have sago's or you surrondings do check it out Dana
It's just a little sap bleeding from the tips. It's nothing to worry about. It happens sometimes and is usually associated with spring cold on tender new tips.
i get that on my plumeria when it gets hot. your plumies will be fine.
Is that a caterpillar on the edge of the stem that is broken off - the one above the lowest leaf?
Sometimes the tips will will ooze sap if something brushes against them. I have also have that happen when I have pulled on the tip or branch of a plumeria to take a close look at it.
Thanks to everyone who responded. As the weather warms, the situation improves and only the growing tips likely to be brushed by passersby still show the white crud (for lack of a better descriptive word).
It's latex:-) (better descriptive word)
Thank you, Clare. I'm sure that once the plant flowers, I won't even notice the latex secretions.
