What triggers a Hawai'ian Plumeria to bloom?

Question

I have several Hawai'ian Plumeria cuttings that I've rooted in my backyard in Austin, TX. They're in full sun and have produced a bunch of nice green leaves, but no flowers.

I'm wondering if I need to give them a high-phosphorus fertilizer or if depriving it of fertilizer is the trigger to getting it to bloom...or maybe something else? I have them planted in a 50% mix of good potting soil and 50% sand.

Answer 1

Seems like most plumeria have to reach a certain size before they bloom. I had one in a town that got about 15 inches of rain in a typical year. I didn't water mine, and it didn't bloom much.

It should be noted that some plumeria bloom more than others. Some bloom all year round, slowing down in January, some bloom seasonally.

Answer 2

well, so far you are on the right track....but it takes about 11 months to 18 months for the first flowers to bloom...also they love the water....spray them daily....