Hi,
Was hoping the experts could help me understand whats happening here.
This is a Lei Rainbow. Potted 5/15, cactus mix. Full sun. Slow to come around but it recently started showing leaf growth. I would say leaves are now 3 weeks old. Noticed 3 days ago 1 leaf changed color and has since dropped. (something i'd expect in October here in the Northeast not in July). Its been warm during day (85-90) and mild at night (60's). Some thunderstorms/rain but nothing abnormal. Any Thoughts ?

Tim, I don't have this variety, but are all those other leaves yellow/orange on the reverse? Have you fertilized this plant? Have you dosed her with Mg?

Ken,
The other leaves are green (both sides) and look normal. I have fertilized a couple times using Spray-n-Gro. Watering has been light until i'm sure its fully rooted. I'm not sure what you mean by Mg. What is Mg?

Magnesium, Tim. I have used it for years on my orchids. It seems to help green-up leaves and I started using it on my plumeria last year, hoping it would give those large leaves more color (green). I don't know that it does but my plumeria are awfully lush and green, even in all this heat. I mix the Mg (Epson Salt) powder in with water-soluble fertilizer every spring, mid-summer, and then again in the fall.

You are wise to be somewhat cautious in watering if you don't know about rooting. You should be equally cautious, perhaps more so, fertilizing a plant without roots or with few roots. If I am not seeing active leaf formation and growth, and think I should, I don't hesitate to take that plant/root-ball out of its pot and examine it. That's one way to really know whether good rooting has taken place.

Sometimes we see leaves doing crazy things like you see and don't really ever know exactly why. It could be due to lack of water, perhaps too much water, nutrient deficiency, or stress.

Tim, hard to tell as well. Only thing I could think of thoug is if you have this in full sun at 85-90's heat, I would remove those pea gravel around the base of your plumeria because it could get too hot and will burn your plumeria base stem. I oils add soil up to the rim of the pots. I've been planting sedum and succulents on the base of my plumerias to minimize pulling weeds and also they are decorative.

Ken
I will try the Mg (forgot my high school chemistry) to see if that helps green them up. The other leaves and 'claws' are starting to open up so maybe i will increase the watering a bit. I use a soil moisture meter and use the 'succulent' setting but it could be stressed a bit. Thanks for the tip.
Gigi, Good suggestion. I will remove the pea stones (they look nice though) and i like the idea of adding small succulents to the cover (wouldn't they steal nutrients from the Plumeria?) I also read that you shouldn't add soil on top of an established plant because that changes the root depth and can actually kill the tree. If i add another inch of soil, you think thats ok here?
Also, if i add small succulents to the surface as cover, what about winter care? In the northeast these will be in one of my back rooms or basement and i understand you shouldn't water. Can the succulents go all winter with no water? (maybe just a misting? I don't want mold to form. )
Thank you both for your suggestions !

Mixing plants, particularly when one will go fully dormant and have no need for moisture, can be problematical. Growing everything outside year 'round, is a whole other world. I am not sure that pea gravel makes any difference way up there in New York, but if you have concern, you can always use a mulch, such as clean cypress. I buy this by the bag and it is light in color. It would not only look good but also help keep the potting soil cooler and more moist.

I never have worried about adding soil to an existing plant, at least within reason. An inch or two won't make a bit of difference. Plumeria are kind of different trees in that regard. Speaking of watering, I know some folks say to let the top inch of soil dry before (thinking about) watering, but because we are so hot here in the spring and certainly the summer, I do my best to keep the potting soil slightly moist. My plumeria thrive when I can do that. They are water and fertilizer "hogs".

Dumb question, did that leaf drop because there is a branch emerging from /at the same spot? If so, wouldn't that be normal?

Ursula, "Queen of the Orchids", there is no branch/tip growing there. It is simply the angle that the photo was taken. There are two distinct tips, but that one in the rear appears to be several inches below the leaf in question.

Oh I see! Thanks Ken!

Ursula,
I thought Plumeria branch only after flowering. If this flowered on me then i was in a coma and missed it all. (My luck)
I just took a peek at it and i don't see a branch forming. Ive attached a pic . Center of pic and up at about about 1/3rd you'll see a bright green spot. Thats where the leaf was. No branch forming.

Ken, mulch is a good idea, but in the winter spider mites can be a problem inside so maybe i just stick with the gravel(??)
Not sure; you've both given me a few things to think about. (Not wanting to think about winter right now...trying to enjoy the summer we do have. Its been 'perfect' weather. Sun, warm and not too much rain but enough to keep the lawn green)

I "read" your first picture wrong!

Tim, this was already a two-tipped cutting when it was rooted. Plumeria can branch at any time, but certainly do so more readily when flowering. They also will often branch when a tip is cut. Since I take cuttings all the time (took two this afternoon in fact), and have a lot of plants in flower, I have a lot of branching going on.

Ken, Ok Good to know. I thought it only branched after flowering.
I have a 'mystery ' that rooted nicely but is about 18 -20 inches tall so hoping that will flower / branch (or do something ).