Frangipani (Plumeria rubra) is native to tropical and subtropical Pacific Islands, Caribbean, Central America and Mexico.
It can tolerate subtropical climate also. The Hymenosporum flavum frangipani is a rain-forest tree, native to New Guinea and Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. Frangipani can be grown from cuttings (how to grow frangipani from cutting), seeds and layering.
Continue reading below to learn how to take care of your frangipani.
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| Frangipani Plumeria |
There are more than 300 varieties of frangipani. Most plumeria trees are deciduous which grow up to about eight meters (25 ft) high and four meters (15 ft) wide. The tree grows slowly, about 30 cm (1 foot) a year. The frangipani flowers come in various colours including white, yellow, pink, orange, red, purple, etc. The tree has large dark green glossy leaves which drop in winter. The frangipani tree has wide umbrella shape with beautiful flowers to admire. You can place a small table and chair underneath to enjoy coffee.
The frangipani is known by different names in different cultures. It is known as Champa in Hindi, Kath Champa in Bengali, Champo in Gujrati, Chafa in Marathi, and Yasmin in Persian. Its other names are deva ganneru (divine nerium), melia, Arali, araliya, Temple Tree, egg yolk flower tree, jepun, tipanie, kalachuchi, etc.
The frangipani is known by different names in different cultures. It is known as Champa in Hindi, Kath Champa in Bengali, Champo in Gujrati, Chafa in Marathi, and Yasmin in Persian. Its other names are deva ganneru (divine nerium), melia, Arali, araliya, Temple Tree, egg yolk flower tree, jepun, tipanie, kalachuchi, etc.
Tips For Frangipani Tree Care
Frangipanis are generally grown from cuttings although grafting may also be done. The frangipani is actually love neglect, they are very easy to care for.
Where To Plant Frangipani Tree
Frangipani prefers dry, warm and frost-free climates. Planting them at the place which gets at least 6 hours sun.Soil For Frangipani Tree
Frangipanis thrive in well-drained nutrition rich sandy soil. They will not do well in water retaining clay soils in which the plant roots and stem will rot and die.Watering a Frangipani Tree
Frangipanis are very tolerant of dry conditions. Young plants need water once a week in summer when the soil is dry. The mature plants are drought tolerant and needs less water. But prolonged dry spells will turn leaves yellow and cause them to drop. Too much water can rot roots and stems. So limit on watering and avoid watering in winter. Spongy stem shows that it is rotten, remove it from the junction with the main branch.Video on Frangipani
Fertilizers For Frangipani Tree
- Frangipani can be fed a balanced fertilizer, but a fertilizer high in phosphorus and low in nitrogen and potassium is best for getting lots of flowers on your frangipani tree. You can feed a rose fertilizer to your frangipani tree.
- Young tree can be given a slow release fertilizer.
- I mix some bone meal, which is very high in phosphorous in soil and then put a layer of compost or composted cow manure on the soil in early spring.
Pruning Frangipani Tree
Pruning of frangipani tree is not required for many years. The matures trees may need tinning of the canopy by 15% to open up the branches, allowing sun light. This will reduce stem rot. To check on your plant’s health squeeze the stems: a firm stem indicates a healthy tree. |
| Frangipani Flowers |
Frangipani Flowers Meaning and Symbolism
The frangipani flowers have different meanings in different cultures. Frangipani symbolizes strength, growth, romantic love and fertility. In Asia, the frangipani flower is a symbol of wealth, grace and perfection.- The frangipani flowers represent natural beauty, dedication and devotion.
- Hindu and Buddhist consider frangipani flowers a sign of immortality.
- In the Chinese culture, plumeria is associated with love.
- In South India, the flowers are worn by bride in her hair.
- In the Hawaiian culture, they means power of withstanding tough challenges. They symbolize intense love between two people. A girl wearing a frangipani flower over her right ear means she is available, while one over the left means not available.
Plumeria Flowering
Frangipanis flower during spring to summer. New stems will not flower for 2 years. Similarly branches that were pruned will also take 2 years to bloom. The flowers are most fragrant at night.Are frangipani flowers poisonous?
The aromatic flowers are traditionally used to make leis. While most parts of frangipanis are toxic, the flowers are mildly edible. Eating leaves or flowers can irritate the digestive tract. The Frangipani is mildly poisonous if you eat the entire flower. The milky sap in the plant is mildly poisonous.When animals like dogs and cats ingest whole flowers they can develop vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive salivation.
How To Force Branching in Frangipani
Many people ask how to get frangipani to branch. The plant will branch itself from the stem which has produced flowers heavily. The healthy plant will encourage branching as the branch matures.Some people recommend to make light leaf scars with sand paper to induce branching, but did not work for my frangipani plants. The best way to force branching in frangipani is to give the plant lots of sun.
Frangipani Tree Diseases, Pests and Problems
The frangipani tree can have problems and diseases like fungus or mould, scales result in in curled leaves, yellow-orange leaf rust, etc. periodic spray of copper fungicides, pest oil and neem oil spray will control the frangipani problems.Frangipani Root System
Frangipani trees have a small compact root ball, so they can be grown in pots or near walls, will not harm any pipes, cables, buildings, structures, etcGrowing Frangipani in Containers
Can you grow frangipni in a pot?Due to its slow growth and a small root ball, the frangipani tree can be grown in a pot. Frangipanis are therefore ideal choice for balconies, terraces, roof gardens and patios. I have grown 3 different colour flower frangipani trees in a container of size 40 cm wide.Growing Frangipani Tree in Cold Climates
- The frangipani is a warm climate tree, but it can grow in cold climates, provided you take some care.
- Place the plant in the warm location where it receives most sun.
- It is better to plant frangipani in a pot, so that you can move it in sunny locations during day and indoors during night or winter.
- You can plant the tree near a brick wall and brick paving so that the tree gets the radiated heat stored in the wall. You can also use mirrors to reflect sun on the tree. These tricks will help the tree withstand cooler winters.
- You can use mirror reflections to direct sun on to the plant in cooler areas.
- The obvious question is can frangipani be grown indoors? You can move the plant indoors under very cold conditions but you must get the right conditions of warmth and sunshine as soon as possible.
Video of Growing Frangipani from cuttings
How to grow frangipani from cutting video
How to grow frangipani from cutting in Hindi
Grow frangipani from cuttings video
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air layering frangipani video
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Multiple Color Plumeria Flowers on One Tree video