Growers in Southern California have experienced many nights of very low temperatures that have been plaguing the State of  California. Crop damage is estimated in the billions of dollars. Tropical plants including plumeria have been devastated at local nurseries and in Plumeria Growers yards. Record lows have been broken night after night in what's being called one of the longest periods of low temps ever.

How are your plumeria fairing? Full assessment of damage is impossible until this event is over. What is one supposed to do? Just what is appropriate "Plumeria Care" after a devastating event such as this? We have published informative articles about what to do for frost/freeze protection and what to do in the aftermath. This link will point you there: http://www.socalplumeriacare.com

Plumeria Rust Invades California

We are sad to report in Summer 2006 the first case of Plumeria Rust "coleosporium domingense" was reported in Orange County, California. This report was filed with the Orange County Agriculture Extension Agent by plumeria grower Bud Guillot at his home in Huntington Beach. Bud has been cultivating plumeria beginning in the 1950's. He explained to me in a casual conversation " I had never seen rust before or even knew what it looked like". Asking if he had any ideas where it came from he replied " I am not sure at this time". 

How does the plumeria grower know his plants are infected?

How does this news effect the local Southern California plumeria grower?

The following will help the public to understand some impact of the issue.

Plumeria rust is prone to areas of high humidity and warm temperatures. Plumeria rust "coleosporium domingense" only effects plumeria. It has been spreading though the tropics of the world for many years. This pathogen is mostly transmitted by the shipments of infected plumeria cuttings and plants.

Plumeria rust is active from Mid-Summer through early Fall. Small yellow-orange pustules appear on the underside of leaves and on stems. As the pathogen matures pustules burst and spread spores, a very fine yellow/orange powder which passes the disease to other plumeria plants . The upper sides of the leaves become brown and disfigured. Rust infection is known to cause premature defoliation i.e. leaf drop on the infected plumeria plant.

Putting up YOUR guard:

In the U.S., Plumeria rust is most severe in Florida, with the Southern States of Louisiana and Texas a close second and Hawaii third. In addition, plants from Thailand may be infected as they now are experiencing the problem. Shipment of plumeria coming from these areas is the suspect cause of many un-reported infections in California at present. It is here to stay.

Being Vigilant:

All plumeria growers that buy or trade plumeria from anyone in known areas of infection should be aware that plumeria carry these spores on branches and leaves (if present) even in off season. It is illegal to ship a plumeria plant infected with Plumeria rust "coleosporium domingense" into the State of California. If you discover you have received infected plants from anyone please immediately report your findings to your local County Agriculture Agent/Extension Agent, California Department of Agriculture and Federal Department of Agriculture (F.D.A.) Our County of Riverside Extension Agent has recently contacted me about the problem as they are "very interested in the source of the rust".

Do not be fooled by all you read about "RUST" on the internet:

The claim is: Plumeria rust "coleosporium domingense" "lives in symbiosis with plumeria",  "and the rust that is living on all Plumerias of the world",  "will induce defoliation of the plant." "it is a natural process that allows the plant to enter dormancy during the dry season of the year".

"These statements are totally false and have no scientific merit or foundation of any kind". 

http://www.rivcoag.org/agdept/opencms/agcomm/