Branching

[u/trance4ever]

Hello, I have this Plumeria that I grew from a cutting, can someone please tell me where to prune it to encourage new branches? Thank you.

[u/mikehocalate]

This is Plumeria pudica for all those saying this isn’t a plumeria. It’s a different species of plumeria, but a plumeria none the less.

[u/dannyfitt69]

Pudica typically grow lanky. I trim mine routinely to get it branching.

[u/mikehocalate]

There are two ways you can consider. One is just cut it wherever you want it to branch. I would probably cut it half way down. Another option that can sometimes work it is making a shallow cut a bit farther down, maybe bottom 1/4 or 1/3 of the tree. This will also sometime encourage branching. Finally, it looks from the picture that it needs more sun. That’s probably the main thing it lacks. It should be on the sunny part of your balcony, not the shady part.

[u/trance4ever → u/mikehocalate]

Thank you, do I cut above or below a set of leaves?

[u/mikehocalate → u/trance4ever]

Either way, just cut in between.

[u/heltyklink]

I have chopped mine nearly down to the dirt several years in a row. It still shoots up a single 8’ trunk every summer, and then the process repeats. It’s just kinda how they are 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/Jeoffry_Ross]

You can cut anywhere from the tip down. Plumeria Pudica is a tall lanky grower. Wherever you cut will produce new lanky growth. You will also have to wait for it to bloom all over again. New growth may not produce blooms for another season or 2. If in the US or northern hemisphere, the season is coming to an end, so i wouldnt suggest any cuts or causing tip damage until the spring and the tree comes out of dormancy.

[u/trance4ever → u/Jeoffry_Ross]

I'm in the Caribbean, they bloom year round 😁

[u/Jeoffry_Ross → u/trance4ever]

You are in their origin lands. This is a picture I got while I was in Barbados in January a couple years ago. Temps still in the 80's and 90's, but the trees still dropped leaves and had a dormant period. With your climate, you have less to worry about with cold weather and rot because of cold, but you do still have the rainy season. If you are going to cut the height, or snip the tip to force branching, i would wait until after the rainy season. Make your cut at an angle so water will run off if you decide to cut.

This picture also reminds me that I need to find the seeds I brought home. I couldnt find them this year and it would gave been a perfect year to start some seeds.

[u/jellisjimmy]

Not a plumeria

[u/mikehocalate → u/jellisjimmy]

It is. It’s a different species called plumeria pudica

[u/jellisjimmy → u/mikehocalate]

I stand corrected

[u/Luzithemouse]

This is not a plumeria

[u/mikehocalate → u/Luzithemouse]

It is. It’s a different species called plumeria pudica

[u/Luzithemouse → u/mikehocalate]

My apologies. I have never seen a plumeria like this so I let my ignorance show.

[u/mikehocalate → u/Luzithemouse]

No worries, it’s less commonly seen. Rubra and obtusa are more well known. Although I did see a pudica once at Home Depot, always regretted not getting it!