I bought a plumeria from a guy in Pasadena a couple of years ago and it still just has 3 limbs. Where do I cut it to get cuttings without killing the plant?
New to plumerias and need help
That's a realy beauty, Pkjody. Are you sure you want to take cuttings at this point? It will branch whenever and wherever it flowers. You should be getting some new branches around that flower cluster. You won't kill the plant by taking cuttings, and you can take them anywhere. New branches will sprout below the cut. Most cuttings are eight to twelve inches long for rooting purposes.
Lovely Plant PKJody
Id wait to have more branches and growth befor cutting her.
Youll be able to shape her better. ;)
How long does it take for it to make new branches? It is bare and tall right now. I have to put a stake and tie them together. This is a picture of one in Pasadena.
Zone 9
This message was edited Nov 1, 2005 7:54 PM
They all grow at different rates.
It will branch as it blooms, sometimes without blooming.
If you want growth feed it Nitrogen rich fertilizers.
If you want blooms feed it Phosphorus rich fertilizers.
I prefer small plants with multiple branches as mine are all potted and must come inside each winter.
This one is potted too. Should I maybe put it in a larger pot next year? When I read everything ya'll know, I am feeling so stupid. :( I need a Plumeria support group...lol. Thank you for your help.
Pamella
Hi Pamella! LOL! We are your plumeria support group! We are all learning as we go and so please don't feel stupid. Michael is 100 percent right. Plumerias will branch when they flower, or you can take a cutting mid branch so that branches will grow below the cut, but be aware that, sometimes, only one branch grows beneath the cut so, if you cut for branching, you might just get one branch to replace it. When a plumie flowers, you will get two, three, or sometimes four branches around the infloresence, and these usually come in rather slowly over a period of a few months. That's a beautiful red you have there.
Here's an example of only one branch replacing a cut one:
I have a sneaky unreccomended method for multi branching heh.....
Take a sterile knife and score leaf scars near the top, deep enough to reach the cambrium.
Either spray the wounds with spray and grow or make a weak mix of GA-3 and insert the ointment into the wounds.
VOILA!! Branches.... ;)
When that perfectly shaped tree reaches its targeted size you can also mix up a growth stunting hormone mix and apply it to the tips. It should only flower. ;)
Michael, you, mad scientist, you! I adore you:-) You handled that insulting remark on the other forum with grace and humility when I would have come back with something else entirely:-)
Here on this seedling, I rubbed out the black tip with my finger and sprayed with a fungicide, and four or five branches formed around the scar. The branches are much more relaxed now and look more natural.
ya'll need to talk in elementary terms.....I have NO idea what u r talking about.
cambrium?????
Either spray the wounds with spray and grow or make a weak mix of GA-3 and insert the ointment into the wounds????
I rubbed out the black tip with my finger ????
Calling all Texas people~ ~ lol
Jody, I'll make you a deal: I'll simplify my explanation if you do a little homework to familiarize yourself with some gardening terms:-) What Michael was talking about is fairly advanced, and with all due respect to Michael, what he is tallking about is not for the beginner. "Cambium" is a common garden term and can be found in the Garden Terms above: http://davesgarden.com/terms/go/145.html Black tip is a fungus which plumerias are susceptible to: http://www.plumeria101.com/problems/black_tip.html It can happen when the weather gets cold and damp or wet, and certain plumerias -- such as Singapores (Plumeria obtusa) -- are more susceptible to it than others. When I rubbed off the Black Tip with my finger, I also rubbed out the growing tip so new branches formed around the tip. Pinching back new growth to create a fuller plant is a common horticultural practice, and the theory is the same here. The main growing tip was pinched so new branches formed around the pinched area.
Edited to fix spelling.
This message was edited Nov 1, 2005 7:04 PM
I will "definitely" do my reading tonight! Thank you.....Pamella
This site is a real education. That's why I love it. A month ago I had a few small plumeria and a few ee and now I'm on a whole new quest. The plumies have been moved up to a 'spotlight' position and will receive care and attention during the winter. I've got more Alocacia and Colocacia ordered and a few trades in the works. I've been reading up on both and have ordered 1 book each. I just love to learn new things and have new interests. It keeps gardening fun and interesting.
Hey Linda,
Dont give up the brugs.
You have some real beauties.
And remember, the brugs will take most of the insects away from your plumies. ;)
Hi Pamella,
The plumeria101 site that Clare listed is great!!! It really will answer a lot of your questions and it has lots of pictures. (Sometimes you just need a visual).
Kat