topic Re: help with frangipani in Community Spirit

help with frangipani

gem-boy-g — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 09:49:36 GMT

I have a fairly large frangipani in a pot (it's about as big as the ones bunnings sells for around $60 if that's any help), I noticed there's heaps of ants in the pot and on closer inspection I se the sun has split the trink and the large lower branches, what can I do? help

Re: help with frangipani

twyngwyn — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 10:10:05 GMT

http://www.allthingsfrangipani.com.au/plantfaq.html

Re: help with frangipani

twyngwyn — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 10:12:21 GMT

http://www.thefrangipaniman.com/gpage3.html

Re: help with frangipani

latina4621 — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 10:15:10 GMT

not good with the ants, could also be a chance the ants maybe inside the plant too do you think?

you could try to re pot it then strap the trunk with an old stocking and just hope for the best it doesn't sound good.

I'm sorry to say

Re: help with frangipani

latina4621 — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 10:19:47 GMT

can you post a pic op?

Re: help with frangipani

gem-boy-g — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 11:22:31 GMT

latina thank you for your reply, I took some pics but can't get them off the phone to pc. It doesn't look like the ants have got into the splits yet so I've wrapped them with stockings and keeping fingers crossed. It must have happened either today or yesterday was fine tuesday,

4 days over 40 degrees in WA

Re: help with frangipani

collect247 — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 11:35:19 GMT

Simple get it out of the pot and plant it in the ground.

Re: help with frangipani

gem-boy-g — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 14:59:14 GMT

is it ok to replant in mid summer, it's really hot here at the moment.

Re: help with frangipani

johcaschro — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:26:21 GMT

If you think your frangipani is at risk of dying, you can chop off a few pieces from the ends of branches, leave them open to the air until the cut ends dry out and then plant those cuttings in some other place.

You can also plant your frangi tree in the ground (and take a few cuttings anyway as an insurance policy).

If you think the ants are chewing on the roots then maybe consider some ant powder or Ant Rid.

If you love ants and wish them no harm, then re-potting in an ant-free environment is the way to go.

So many options. 🙂

Re: help with frangipani

johcaschro — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:29:50 GMT

Where do you live? (just the name of the street and the suburb will suffice, though a house number would be a bonus)

Frangipani cuttings need to dry at the cut ends before they can be planted, so summer is a good time to do this.

if you try this in wet winter weather, the cuttings will just rot.

Re: help with frangipani

collect247 — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 21:05:54 GMT

Yes it is as they are a summer thriving plant,but make sure you give it plenty of water.

If you can give it some seasol once a week.

You know when a frangapani has died or is about to die is when the stems feel very soft when you squeeze them and they look shrivelled.

Re: help with frangipani

lloydslights — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 22:53:58 GMT

1. Terracotta pots lose water quickly and will also will break from the pressure of the growing rootball of the plant.

2. The soil is depleted in the pot, it has formed air pockets or doesn't hold water any more;

3. Ants like the sweetness of the plant and so have nested close to their food in the dry soil;

Suggestion: Either plant into the ground in a north facing position. OR repot with new potting mix into a pot that fits into the existing terracotta pot.

The split in the stem may be painted (any paint) to stop it from rotting.

DEB

Re: help with frangipani

bright.ton42 — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 00:19:42 GMT

I had a beautiful frangipani in the ground. In a pot it is much more sensitive and I think putting it in the ground is a good idea but in a semi-shaded position as it's sick, and use plenty of water. Definitely don't use fertilier while it's fragile. You could also use a piece of shade cloth or similar while it's settling in. and it's hot. Good luck, they are beautiful plants.

Re: help with frangipani

lind9650 — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 00:41:20 GMT

When repotting make sure you wash all the old soil from the roots. Best to lay the plant on the ground and use a garden hose. That way you remove any hidden ants or nests of eggs and don't start another ant colony in the new pot or planting ground.

Erica

Re: help with frangipani

gem-boy-g — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 11:28:49 GMT

thank you for all your replies, the plant has only been in this pot for a month, it spent it's previous 4 years from a small branch to it's present size in a smaller pot. It was then repotted in the current pot with new potting mix etc. and up to now has been doing really well.

I will have to keep it in a pot for a few more months until the place I want to plant it is cleared but I will change the mix and clean up the roots and then elevate the pot off the ground and hope it's ok.

thanks once again.

Re: help with frangipani

mugssy65 — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 11:58:00 GMT

Hey Briton you should see how Frangipanni grow in Bali, it's nothing to see a 5 foot tree in a 40cm pot! Sometimes you see them in such small pots that they have broken out literally! Over there they seem to be the hardiest plant around!😊