Plumeria Diseases

plumerias first should be isolated over a period of time to observe or check (test) for
the presence of virus. All FMV-infected plants should be separated from the rest of
collection and/or destroyed. Using a sterilized cutting tool is also the key to
preventing the spread of the FMV, which may be present in the plumeria trees
growing in the garden, to the rest of the collection. My routine practice of pruning
plumerias in the garden is to carry as many sterilized knives as possible with me and
use only one knife per plumeria plant. They are then sterilized in boiling water for
further use.

Plumerias with the virus should not be allowed to be registered as a new cultivar
based upon its appearance of the flowers with the color break. It is just a diseased
plant, not an innovative one.

symptoms are commonly seen in plumerias
which are sold in the markets everywhere.
Some virused plumerias may look normal,
but the symptoms generally appear in a
later stage. Thus it is important to address
this issue to increase growers' awareness,
to keep the virus under control, and to save
all great plumeria cultivars from being
infected.

In an attempt to keep the whole plumeria
collection virus-free, newly acquired

Viral-contaminated cutting tools used in grafting and pruning are likely the most
common means of FMV transmission. Unfortunately, it is how this particular virus
spreads rapidly and covertly in plumerias, especially in Thailand. Nowadays, its

people. From my point of view, however, the
color break is unacceptable since it distorts the
original colors of flowers. In addition, unlike
other diseases, it is incurable, and the virus
that resides in the infected plant may
accidently spread to other plumeria trees
somehow, and finally, the whole collection may
all be infected.

According to ICTV db, the FMV transmitted by
mechanical inoculation not involving a vector.

Virus-causing color break in Plumerias

Based upon visual observation of infected plumeria plants from various places for a
number of years, it seems that Frangipani Mosaic Virus (FMV) has a minimal effect
on the growth and the health of most plumerias with the exception of severe cases in
a few cultivars. Its symptoms may include, e.g., leaf malformation, mottled leaf,
and/or splash or color break (CB), especially on the petals. Some plumeria trees
appear normal with only an occasional CB on the petals, which is attractive to some

Plumerias are easy to grow and relatively carefree with only a few pests and disease
problems. From time to time, however, an infestation occurs which affects the
growth of the plants. Some major pests and diseases found in plumerias in Thailand
are briefed here with an emphasis on viruses.

Plumeria Diseases

Other pests/diseases in Plumerias in Thailand

Color break (red splash areas) on petals of Rim Fire
(left picture) and Bali Whirl plumerias (right picture)
caused by virus. The symptoms on the petals develop
as the flowers emerge. Seedlings of the virus infected
Rim Fire have no sign of virus.

Left picture: Color break (darker purple area) on
petals of Muang Phuang Roi plumeria caused by virus.

Right picture: Color break (pink area) on petals of
very light pink flowers.

Left picture: Symptoms (dark red spots) on petioles
and stems of Coral Cream plumeria caused by virus.

Right picture: A severe leaf malformation in a Thai
plumeria caused by virus. For this particular case, it
stunts the growth of the plant.

Mottled/splotchy leaves caused by virus. Normally
symptoms develop right from the start as new leaves
emerge (left picture). Then they become lighter in
color with leaf age (right picture).

Left picture: This variegated foliage (light/dark
green) is a form of Chimera. But the dark brown
mottled areas on the leaf indicted that it is infected
with virus.
Right picture: Namwan--a chimeric variegated
plumeria (green on light pink background) often
found to be infected with virus (brown spots
throughout the entire leaf).

CB on the seed pods of Ammaron Curly White
(ACW) plumeria. Interestingly, all ACW seedlings
from the seeds of these pods have no sign of the CB
virus. As buds obtained from this virused ACW plant
were used to graft onto rootstocks, the new emerging
leaves developed from the buds clearly showed typical
mottled spots of the virus symptom.

Leaves infected with spider mites (left picture) and
webbing between the midrib (right picture).

They thrive in warm and dry conditions --especially a lack of
rainfall for an extended period of time. The mites feed on plant
juices and cause leaf yellowing and bronzing on upper leaf
surface. Spray of water directly to the leaves helps to keep
their population down. In severe case, Miticite should be used.
Suggested Reading: Click here.

Mealy bugs on underside of young and mature leaves.

Tip/leaves and inflorescence affected by Mealy bugs.

under construction

Aphids on young leaves

under construction

Thrips on young leaves, tips, inflorescence and
flowers.

Scale insects on underside of mature leaf (left
picture), stalk and seed pod (right picture).

Frangipani rust (bright yellow or orange pustules) on
the underside of mainly mature leaves caused by the
fungus Coleosporium plumeriae. The disease thrives
in moist and humid conditions.

Suggested Reading: Click here.

Leaves damaged by Frangipani rust turn yellow/brown
that leads to early drop. Spraying the tree with
Triadimefon (Bayleton) helps to provide preventive
control for Frangipani rust. It is not effective if the
leaves are severely infected with the rust.

Rust free plumerias developped by Kukiat:
Pink San Germain, Super Moon