I got a 6 in rooted cutting from a friend and followed the instructions. Placed in a 6 inch pot in miracle grow cactus mix. I am keeping the soil moist and no sun but bright shade. She ain't looking to good after 5 days. What am I doing wrong or will it just look a little wilted for awhile then perk up?
Starting a new plum
It needs a lot of bright light and warm soil temps to root, and don't water it too much. What did you pot it in? It need good drainage, so a potting mix for cactus/succulents would be good for it. Also, it takes more than 5 days to root. Clare, did I miss something?
Is it outside at night? What is it that isn't looking good? Can you show us a picture? Does it have leaves? Why is it not getting sun? By six-inch pot, do you mean one-gallon container? I would put it in full sun on a heat source or on a warm spot in the yard, preferably on concrete. I don't know what zone you are in, but if it is still cold at night where you are, then your plumeria should be brought inside until it is above 50 at night preferrably.
Bev, I was posting at the same time as you and didn't see your post. I think he indicated his cutting is rooted already.
It is rooted and the leaves are drooping looks like they won't make it. So, full sun and in at night. I am in zone 9 and the nights are in the upper 50s
Well, upper 50's is not bad at night so you can probably leave it outside, but if it is suffering, a heat mat is usually the solution. It's hard to know what is happening without seeing a picture.
sorry for misreading.
Full sun before hardening off will = heartbreak.
Put it in full sun but cover it lightly with a cotton cloth till it hardens off.
Otherwise its going to burn.
I'm about to pot four cuttings I bought at the USF Plant Spring Plant Festival last weekend. I'm confused about the postings so far. Should I expose the cuttings to direct sunlight right away or keep them in a warm shaded area for a period of time (if yes, how long)?
The letter my friend sent me said to keep in a warm bright shaded area and keep moist for a few weeks then move to a sunny area.
Michael, it will only burn if it has been growing in shade or sheltered for a long period of time. If it has been growing in full sun, it will not burn if put back into full sun. That has been my experience anyway. There is no harm with erring on the cautious side; however, it sounds like bottom heat would help at this point.
Bsewall, cuttings should be rooted in full sun on the hottest source possible. If it too cold outside, then root them on a heat mat in a greenhouse or inside your house. All my cuttings have been outside in full sun for a month now and are sprouting leaves. If your cuttings have been sheltered for a long period of time or were growing in shade, then they need to be acclimated by starting them in part sun or filtered sun, especially if your sun is particularly strong right now.
Swampguy, your rooted plant should be in the warmest spot possible. Bottom heat will help your plant if it is starting to decline. I don't know why it would start to decline, but wet soil and cool temperatures will encourage an ailing root system to rot. Please see my article below.
Here is how I start cuttings: http://davesgarden.com/articles/view/45/
I am with Clare, full sunlight is the way to go, if it has come from the same or similar environment. I also agree that high soil temps help. I live in SW AZ and have had rooted cuttings sent from people in other zones. I have had much better luck exposing them to the most heat, and sunlight available.
Keeping the soil moist may also be the problem. Even though the plumeria is already rooted, the root system may be week from transportation and transplanting. After transplanting a rooted cutting, it is best to monitor watering like you would for a cutting, in my opinion. Only water when the soil is starting to dry. Especially if it is humid out. This should encourage the roots to follow the water as it drains out of the original root ball and into the new growing medium. After the plant settles out of the shock and the roots start to move again, then you can pick up the watering. Plumerias like water, but the roots love to breath also. Remember soil temp is as important as air temp.
I have never used a cactus mix before, but s long as it drains well it should be fine.
It seems to be doing better. Some little leaves fell off but the larger leaves are not drooping as bad. I think it is doing well. The lady that sent it to be said shade for the first few weeks and I have been gradually moving it into the sun. Thank y'all, Tim
it was probably just shock from the journey.
So if a cutting comes bareroot (with the roots dangling and no soil attached), is it best to dip the rips into some roottone before planting?
No, I wouldn't. You can water with Vitamin B-1 or Superthrive added to the water for a week or so. When I receive barerooted plants from Florida or from Thailand, I pot them up in good draining soil and water with Start, which has Vitamin B-1 and Yucca extract. I then put them on a heat mat in my greenhouse if it is still cool at night (which it still is). If it were summer, I would just put them out in full sun.
Great! Thanks Clare :-)
Okay they are up and growing in their pots. What about watering and fert? Moist soil? Heavy fert?
Full sun, plenty of water, weekly balance fertilizer. The soil should be well-draining.