In the past few days I have received several cuttings that are packaged from Hawaii. Then I have one that was picked up off of the street. I want to make sure I am on the right track as far as getting them started to the best of my ability. I want to at least get them off to a great start. From what I have read I need to get them into a good potting soil with vermiculite or perilite. Then water them in and set them in a place where they will be out of the glaring sun, but with a warm surface to sit the pots on. Please, if I am not doing something right let me know as you can tell I need all of the help I can get. I also need to be careful not to water them too much. Fertilizer should come after the have sprouted some leaves?
I had been a little hesitant to start them this late but it is so dreadfully hot here and I didn't want to risk losing them so I thought why not. This winter should I let them go dormant regardless of who well they get started? This inquiring mind needs to know as I don't want to be know the plumeria murderess.
Thanks for all the info that I have already gathered and I look forward to even more.
Kim
New to plumerias and need to be sure.....
Good Luck and welcome to the Plumie side of daves..
Feel free to ask any questions...
Make sure you read the FAQ on top of this forum..
If you still need help post your questions and someone will help you like Clare or one of the
regulars..
lopaka
Hi Kim! Welcome to the Plumie Forum! Robert is so right -- kisses to Robert -- about the FAQ sticky thread. Starting cuttings links and information is all there. A well-draining mix and well-draining pot are essential. Vermiculite holds water so you don't want to use that. Perlite can be added to any good potting mix like MiracleGro or even SuperSoil to help increase drainage. Water them in and set in full sun and mist daily and water when the soil looks dry. If your sun is searing, scorching hot, then filtered sun or morning sun or part sun is fine. The key to rooting is to place on a hot surface like concrete. The most ideal soil temperature is 80 degrees or higher for rooting. The rooting process takes three months so yours will not be rooted until mid-November or a little later. You will want to place your one-gallon containers on a heat mat indoors or in a greenhouse to finish rooting when it starts to get below 60 at night. You do not want to let your soil temperature get cold because it could encourage the cutting or the start of roots to rot. It is best if you don't fertilize while your cuttings are rooting, and so you won't fertilize until next spring when you repot and have your plumies outside. All this information and more is in the sticky thread so be sure to check it out.
Thanks Clare and Robert for the information. We are still above 100 for the 36 or 37 day in a row and the concrete on our front porch will be the ideal spot. It is on the west side of the house and one end is in full sun and the other is shaded. I may start in the middle where they will get some of each. As you may be able to tell I am a little nervous about this project.
Again thanks for the help.
Kim
Just so you know some of my fresh cuttings are on my roof down here in south florida..
The temp up there is 135+ degrees i know i took a reading with a laser temp gun..
If your not humid like me then mist here lightly everyday and dont let the soil dry out but don't soak the soil either..
hope that helps
Plumies are very very tough just don't baby her and let her do her thing..