Here is a photo I took today.

They look burnt to me. I'd put the water on the soil and not on the leaves. That west sun can be brutal some times!
As far as fertlizer, I'm not to sure at this point. Hopefully someone a lot brighter than me will give you some advice. Anyway you could shade them a little until they become more accustomed to the sun/heat? Good luck with your plumeria.

John

Well, I haven't had a lot of luck with my plummies lately, however, my thoughts on the watering is that if the soil feels moist I wouldn't water. As far as fertilizer, I would certainly give it a dose the next time you water. Give it a bit of an booster. And I have read on the board here that rainwater is excellent.
Lauri

Thanks for the replies. They are very helpful to a newbie like me.

I read in another post here that you can put up a reed fence to dissipate heat if your plants are close to a west-facing wall. Mine plumeria is about 4 feet from a block wall. Should I think about buying a reed fence?

This is not abnormal. The new leaves are coming in green and your older leaves are being rejected like a late dormancy. Pay attention to the new leaves. Pick off all the little black stubs and early leaves that are black as well as the yellow ones. Your stem does not show heat problems and I would just relax and wait for the new leaves to come. A tablespoon of epsoms salts watered in will help green up your new leaves. Give it some fertilizer after you water and keep granular types away from the stem. mist the stem and new leaves and keep it warm. Your plants look ok to me. Bill

Where was the potted plant before you put it in the ground? If the sun exposure was significantly different when potted than now, you are seeing the plant trying to adjust to the new conditions. I see this frequently when I move rooted cuttings from my heat pad and grow light to outside sunlight too fast. The leaves will turn brown and fall off, but new ones will develop fairly quickly.

If the plant was already outside, I find it best to put the pot where I am going to plant it for a few days or so, then put it in the ground. It gives the plant time to adjust to the new environment without the added stress of transplanting.

Mike

Thanks again for the replies!

I've got the epsom salts ready to go next time I water. Most of the brown leaves fell off on their own, and I removed the black stubs.

I also bought a moisture meter to help me determine whether or not I should water. The meter measures "wet", so I haven't watered this weekend.

I purchased the plumeria from a local tropicals nursery where it was shaded by other plants during part of the day. I believe it is getting much more sunlight now.

I also bought a hotbiscus, and the leaves on that one began turning yellow after I watered (as indicated in the narrative above.) With the meter reading and the yellowing leaves on both plants, does anyone think I am watering too much?

Thanks for helping me out. It's tough to know what to do when yellow leaves can mean several different problems.

It looks like I may have been overwatering. It is very easy to do with clay type soil. My plumeria is beginning to recover and is beginning to show new growth. I also have a hibiscus that reacted negatively; many leaves turned yellow and then dropped. Now it seems that both plants are doing okay. When should I feed my new plants, the next time I water, or sooner?

Thanks!

I use a 9-59-9 fertilizer and spray leaves with spray and grow. The photo up top the leaves are burnt water the roots not leaves to keep from getting sunburnt. My leaves started yellowing after transplant due to stress. I use B1 to help strenthen the root and lessen the stress from transplant. Epsom salt mixed 1tbsp to a gallon is great for the plumeria the magnesium keeps leaves nice and green.This site has alot of usefull info.

http://www.organicgardenarticles.com/Article/Plumeria-Care---Information/10449