I have a two year old plumeria that is potted and it forks off the main branch and has two very nice branches that had a good amount of leaves and were just about to flower when tragedy struck! We had a storm and the plumeria was blown off it's perch and BOTH limbs broke off at the fork. I am hoping that this will give me three plumerias instead of none. Can I root the two branches like a cutting and the main branch will start producing leaves again or should I do something different? Fred
Plumeria disaster- Please help
Yes on rooting the two branches. Cut off the leaves to minimize dehydration, leave them to callous for about a week and then plant them. Personally I don't have the heart to cut off an inflorescence, but it will slow down the rooting if you leave them on.
The main branch should start putting out new branches at the old leaf scars. If the top is very ragged you could consider making a clean cut.
I know - it's no fun... but yes, you will now have three plumeria!
Yep, and I'm sorry for the accident, but now you will have three plumerias;-) Check out the Sticky Thread for rooting tips if you need them.
It's almost a week past, how are you doing with your plummies? Oh, the florets, don't chunk 'em. Pot 'em up. They will root as well. (from some one that has the experience in her pocket ~ lol).
Good lucks,
Kim
Okay, I have time for a couple of posts here on Sunday to correct some misinformation. The infloresence should never be cut off unless it is interfering with the rooting process. On a very rare occasion, some people have found roots sprout on an inflo that was placed in water, but this flower stem will not become a tree and will soon wither and die. On a very rare occasion, a inflo will actually turn into a branch while still on the tree, and that branch can be rooted, but it is very misleading to say that an inflo can be rooted and become a plant because it just isn't true.
This message was edited Jun 10, 2007 7:34 PM
Oooh, Clare. So the poor thing got to be sacritfice too? Here goes, having to save what's left of an ill Plummie.
I appalogize for unintentionally "mislead" info. regarding, inflo. Rooting. My cut off inflo. appears has taken root, but is NOT developing any further. Currently it's "status quo". since ~ well, last winter.
I did not recommend rooting of info. Just that as result of accidental loss/damge, while one is trying to save an injured Plummie such as Fred. Sorry folks, for any confussion.
I hope this would help clear any miscommunication.
Kim
That's okay, Kim. I just wanted to clear that up for those that thought that they could turn an inflo into a tree. Yours will not be able to survive and will wither and die after it has finished blooming. I have inflo's that have stayed on since last winter too, and they have a few more blooms before they are finished too.