Plumeria Losing Leaves: Overwatering, Mealybugs, and Fungus

Potted plumeria in a lanai shows yellow-spotted leaves turning brown and dropping. Other plants died with hollow stems and white bugs. Diagnosis: overwatering leading to root rot, plus mealybugs and fungal leaf disease.

Rescue Steps

1. Discard dead plants – they harbor pathogens.
2. Prune plumeria: Remove all yellow/brown leaves and any hollow (dead) stems.
3. Spray with Ferti-lome Triple Action Plus (controls fungus, insects, mites) – repeat weekly.
4. Drastically reduce watering – let soil dry thoroughly between waterings.
5. Ensure drainage – pots must drain freely.

Improvement should appear in weeks. Mealybugs appear as white cottony masses; the spray will kill them.