How to grow a Plumeria Cutting

Many people would like to experience the beauty and fragrance of the tropical Plumeria tree in their own home. This article will show you how to properly plant a Plumeria cutting that will produce the world famous Hawaiian Lei flowers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plumeria Cutting
• Plastic Pot
• Sand
• Soil
• Rooting Hormone

1. Get a Plumeria cutting that is between 15 and 18 inches. The cutting should sit for at least 1 week after cutting before you plant it. You can get Plumeria cuttings at www.ILovePlumeria.com

2. Prepare a soil mixture that will quickly drain the excess water from the pot. This can be done by mixing 50% sand with 50% soil mix. You can also use Cactus mix. It is VERY important that you do not use plain garden soil. Plumeria cuttings need to stay out of wet, soggy soil or they will develop stem rot.

3. Put the soil mix in the pot (a gallon pot) and soak the soil until water comes out the bottom of the pot. Stick the Plumeria cutting 3 inches into the soil to form a hole that it will fit into. Pull the Plumeria cutting out and wet the very bottom part. Sprinkle some rooting hormone on the bottom 1/2 section of the cutting. Now you can place the cutting back into the hole, trying not to rub off the hormone as the Plumeria goes back into the hole.

4. Now you can place a few rocks around the base of the plant to give it some support until roots begin to grow. It will take about 6-8 weeks for your first leaves to grow. Once you have 3 or 4 small leaves that have opened, you know the cutting has already begun to form a healthy root system. Sometimes you will get flowers the very first year but normally it will take 2 before you get any flowers.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to fertilize with 10-50-10 fertilizer 2 times a month.
• Give your Plumeria lots of sun, at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
• DO NOT water your Plumeria cutting until the soil becomes very dry. Once it is dry water sparingly until it is dry again. Once the plant has several well formed leaves you can begin to water normally.

Resources

• Plumeria Cutting
• How to grow Plumeria

[daperrin]

on 10/13/2009 After 10 weeks you should have a good number of roots. I would CAREFULLY pull up the cutting to see if any rooting has taken place. If not, check to be sure the base is not soft. If there are roots, just plant it again and it should grow fine after the winter. If no roots are present and if it is not soft. Just plant it again and hope for the best. Some times a plumeria cutting just will not root. If it is soft then you have rot and you will have to cut off the soft part and re plant after 1 week.

[garden-jewels]

on 10/11/2009 My plumeria cuttings have not rooted after 10 weeks in pumice and Black Forrest. They have growth beginning at the top of the cuttings. Dormant season is upon us here in San Diego. They are beginning to look shriveled. I have not watered them to speack of. What should I do?
Katie