How to Cut Off Plumeria to Start New Plants
Plumeria is a tropical tree that is commonly called frangipani and is best known for the showy fragrant blooms that emerge in the spring. These are the perfumed flowers typically used to create Hawaiian leis. Plumeria is propagated by seed or from cuttings. Growing plumeria from cuttings provides you with a new plant that is identical to the parent plant and this method is much faster than using seeds. The best time to take plumeria cuttings is from spring to the beginning of summer. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Pruners
- Knife
- Marker
- Ruler
- 1-gallon pots
- Perlite
- Potting soil
- Rooting hormone
- Small plastic bag or container
- Pea gravel
Instructions
-
-
1
Examine the parent plumeria plant and look for strong, healthy branches where you can cut off 12 to 18 inches for each cutting. Cuttings less than 12 inches typically do not root as easy and will not bloom as fast as larger cuttings.
-
2
Use a sharp, sterile pruner to make an angled cut that includes some of the older grayish barked wood, if possible. The angled cut will callus quicker on the cutting and the parent plant will not collect water.
-
-
3
Cut off several cuttings and use a knife to remove any leaves on them. Place the cuttings in a dry and warm setting for seven days to allow calluses to form. Measure from the bottom and mark each of the cuttings at 3 inches.
-
4
Mix 2 parts perlite with 1 part potting soil, or use a cactus-type soil mix to fill a 1-gallon pot for each plumeria cutting. Firm the soil in the pot and leave a 1-inch space from the soil level to the rim of the pot.
-
5
Put some of the rooting hormone into a small plastic bag. Dampen the bottom of the cutting with water and then dip the cutting into the rooting hormone. Push the cutting 3 inches into the center of the soil using the 3-inch mark.
-
6
Fill the top 1 inch of each of the pots with pea gravel. Firm the gravel to hold the plumeria cuttings upright. Water the cuttings until water drains from the bottom of the pot.
-
7
Place the pots in a site with full sunlight and bottom heat, such as hot concrete or a heat mat. Do not water the cuttings again until new leaves emerge which typically takes more than 30 days.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
