From the Nursery
September always feels like a turning point in the grove. The heat is still here, but the light is starting to change, and the plants are telling us the season is shifting.
One of the most exciting things happening right now is seed pods. We are finding many of them, and that is always a good sign. Every pod is a chance at something new, and after a strong bloom season it is especially satisfying to see the trees setting seed.
We are also starting to put our winter storage plan together. It never feels quite real while the plants are still blooming, but this is the time to think ahead — space, timing, and which trees will need extra protection once the cooler nights settle in.
Our sell racks are thinning out, which is both a little bittersweet and a good problem to have. It means plants are going home with people who will enjoy them. If you have had your eye on a particular variety, now is a good time to reach out before the selection gets even smaller. The good news is the website is live now, so you can still browse current inventory even if you cannot get to the nursery this week.
Thank you for growing with us.
Kurt & Bonnie
What’s Blooming Now: EvaLani
This is a variety with a story, and the blooms live up to it.
EvaLani is named for Princess Kaʻiulani of Hawaiʻi. The plant itself came from an old Maui garden — cuttings were collected years ago from a tree that had been grown near the mountain, then shared and loved on the mainland ever since. That history is part of the charm, but the flower is what makes people stop.
The blooms are a rich, deep pink opening around a glowing orange throat. Some flowers show a little yellow in the center and a soft lighter halo as they open, which makes the color feel warm rather than flat. The petals have good substance and form a neat, showy pinwheel. They hold well on the tree and look especially handsome in tight, generous clusters.
The fragrance is a sweet floral scent with excellent staying power — the kind you notice when you walk up to the plant, not the kind you have to hunt for. In our Louisiana heat, the pink can deepen, which makes late-season EvaLani feel even richer than the first flowers of the year.
This is a good choice if you want a classic Hawaiian pink with presence. It is elegant without being shy, fragrant without being fussy, and reliable enough that you actually get to enjoy it. If Boca was the dark standout of high summer, EvaLani is the royal pink of last fragrance season — warm, showy, and easy to fall in love with. This is one of Kurt’s favorites here at the nursery.
Seasonal Care Notes: Closing Out the Growing Season
This is the in-between season. The plants are still blooming, but they are no longer in the full push of July and August. The goal now is to keep them healthy through the last flowers and begin easing them toward rest.
Watering
Because our plants are grown in Air Pots, they still dry faster than plants in regular nursery pots. That has not changed. What has changed is the weather. As nights cool and growth slows, the soil will not dry out as quickly as it did in high heat.
Keep checking the soil. Water when the top few inches feel dry, not on a strict calendar. Overwatering now is one of the easiest ways to cause problems heading into fall. Continue watering the soil, not the leaves, and water in the morning or evening rather than the hottest part of the day.
Fertilizer
This is the time to ease off. A heavy feeding now can push soft new growth that will not have time to harden before cooler weather. If you are still feeding, keep it light and organic. We use Tru Organics products and prefer a gentler approach this time of year rather than a strong bloom push.
Last Blooms and Seed Pods
Enjoy the flowers while they last. If a bloom cluster finishes and you see a pod beginning to form, leave it if you want seed. If you do not want the plant putting energy into seed, you can remove the spent cluster with a clean cut.
Looking Ahead to Winter
You do not need to store plants yet, but this is the moment to start planning. Think about which trees will stay outside the longest, which ones are in smaller Air Pots and will dry or chill faster, and where winter storage will be. A little planning now makes November much easier.
If you are unsure whether a plant is still actively growing or starting to slow down, look at the tips and the watering rhythm. New soft growth and quickly drying soil mean it is still working. Slower drying soil and less new growth mean the season is turning.
Common Critters in the Grove
Late summer and early fall are when people start noticing the little things: speckled leaves, sticky residue, chewed petals, or a plant that suddenly looks tired. Most of the time, it is one of a few common visitors.
Here are the ones we watch for most in south Louisiana.
Spider mites
These are tiny and easy to miss until the leaves look dusty, stippled, or faded. They like heat and can linger as the season winds down. Check the undersides of leaves. If the plant looks dull and the damage is fine and widespread rather than in big bites, mites are a good suspect.
Mealybugs
These look like small bits of white cotton in the joints, along stems, or tucked near flower stalks. They suck sap and can weaken a plant if left alone. Look closely at new growth and the bases of leaves.
Caterpillars
These are the obvious ones. You will see chewed leaves or petals and sometimes the caterpillar itself. A little feeding is not the end of the world. Heavy feeding on a smaller tree is worth addressing.
Rust
This shows up as orange/yellow or rusty spots, especially on the undersides of leaves. Our humidity makes it common. It looks worse than it often is, but it is still worth managing so it does not spread through the collection.
Scale
These look like small bumps on stems or leaves and do not move the way you expect an insect to move. They can be easy to overlook until the plant starts looking off.
What we recommend
We stay with organic products:
- Growsafe by AgroMagen for insect pressure
- Captain Jack’s Copper Fungicide for fungal issues such as rust
- Neem oil as a broad organic option for many soft-bodied pests
PROTIP: Use them according to the label, and spray when the sun is not beating down on the leaves. Early morning or evening is best. Cover the undersides of the leaves, not just the tops. That is where a lot of the trouble hides.
A few extra habits help as much as any spray:
- Inspect plants often and especially when you water
- Remove badly damaged leaves with a clean cut
- Keep Air Pots from staying soggy
- Isolate a plant that is heavily infested before treating the whole group
Not every mark on a leaf is an emergency. Late-season plants can look a little worn after a long, hot summer. The goal is to catch real problems early, treat them gently, and keep the trees strong as they head toward rest.
Nursery News
September is a busy month for us, and we hope to see you at one of these events:
Firefly Under the Sun
Saturday, September 12, 2026
4:00pm-8:00pm.
Chatsworth Plantation
St. Gabriel, LA
Livingston Parish Master Gardener Fall Garden Day and Plant Sale
Saturday, September 19, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Southeastern at Livingston
9261 Florida Blvd
Walker, LA
Rare Plant Show
Saturday–Sunday, September 26–27, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. both days
VFW Hall
Gulfport, MS
The Website Is Live
You can now shop current inventory online at plumeriafans.com.
If a plant is listed, it is available. That makes it easier to see what is left as the sell racks thin out and the season starts to wind down.
We also have our Rewards Program active. Every purchase earns points, so the plants you take home now help toward something later.
Delivery is available within 60 miles of the nursery in Denham Springs, LA. If you are close enough for delivery and would rather not haul plants home from a show or a nursery visit, just ask and we can go over the details.
Browse the collection anytime at plumeriafans.com. If you need help choosing a variety, send us a note. We are happy to help you pick the right plant.
Quick Tip: Don’t Confuse a Spent Bloom With a Seed Pod
When a flower cluster finishes, look closely before you cut everything off.
A spent bloom cluster looks tired and empty. The flowers have dropped, and what is left is the old stalk. A seed pod is different. It starts as a thickening behind the flower and grows into a pair of green, horn-like pods.
If you want seed, leave those pods alone and let them mature. If you would rather the plant put its energy back into rest instead of seed, remove the cluster with a clean cut.
This matters more in September and October than it does in June. The season is winding down, and the plant does not have endless time to do everything at once. Choose what you want from that cluster — one last flush of energy toward seed, or a cleaner finish to the blooming year.
Thank you for growing with Plumeria Fans Nursery.
www.PlumeriaFans.com